VPN or “Virtual Private Network” is a service that creates an encrypted connection between you and a VPN server located in another country. It uses specific tunneling protocols like PPTP, L2TP, IPsec, or OpenVPN and encrypts your traffic using a 128-bit or 256-bit AES encrypting algorithm.
The main reason behind using a VPN is to maintain a high level of privacy.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the pros and cons of using a VPN service, and you can refer to r/VPNGeeks to see the best VPN services.
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Security
Security is everyone’s biggest concern, and using a VPN will secure your connection by tunneling and encrypting your data with robust encryption methods. VPN can keep your traffic safe, especially when you are using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, and it prevents hackers from sniffing any useful data you send on a public network.
Privacy
A good VPN can keep you anonymous and hide your actual IP address, so the websites you visit can’t collect any information about you. If you have any trust issues with your internet service provider, a VPN can encrypt your traffic and keep your activities hidden from your ISP. Your location will also be hidden since the VPN will connect you via a foreign server. Make sure to use a VPN with a no-logging policy to protect your sensitive data.
Access restricted content and blocked websites
If a website is blocked in your country, then using a VPN will allow you to access that website. Furthermore, if a platform restricts some content for people in your location, you can bypass the restriction and reach all the content. Make sure you select a country where this content is not restricted, then turn on your VPN and enjoy your time.
Better offers and discounts
Some websites would offer special discounts and offers to visitors from specific countries, and even if your country is not one of them, you can still get these discounts by using a VPN and changing your location.
Avoid ISP throttling
ISP throttling is when your ISP limits your bandwidth or speed for a particular service you may use, like YouTube or online streaming services. VPN allows you to avoid ISP throttling by encrypting your data, so ISPs can’t know which services or websites you are using and will give you the standard speed.
For now, we know that VPN is a great tool we should have. However, there are some cons we have to understand before using a VPN.
Slower speed
There will be consequences, there’re always are, and if you want to enjoy all the benefits of a VPN, you will have to sacrifice your full internet speed. This is because of encryption and decryption processes, in addition to having your traffic going through the VPN server located in another country. Furthermore, using a VPN while playing online games could increase your ping, which is bad for gamers.
Privacy issues
Some VPN service providers are unreliable and have a DNS leak that could expose your real IP address. You can find websites on the internet offering a test for your VPN to see if it has a DNS leak. Other providers don’t have a “no-logging policy,” which means ISPs can collect your activity on the internet, websites you visit, and your real IP address.
Make sure to use a top-quality VPN headquartered in a country where authorities don’t have the privilege to access customers’ data. Check the best VPN overall for more details about this issue.
VPN can’t protect you from malware attacks
VPN will secure your connection, but it can’t prevent you from downloading harmful files containing viruses, Trojans, and ransomware. So, you have to use an antivirus to protect yourself from infected files.
Many antivirus companies offer included VPN services which are considered a good deal. But you may not have all features provided by a top-quality VPN service provider.
Hard to configure
There are a lot of details, configurations, and features that could be difficult to understand, especially for people who don’t have an IT background. Because of that, some people may not use all VPN features. You can call customer service or talk to an IT specialist and learn how to set up your VPN.
Conclusion
Nowadays, VPN has become a must and should be used daily, especially when connected to a public network. Your device has valuable data like your accounts, passwords, and even your identity. So, make sure to protect yourself and maintain your security and privacy.
