When to Use A VPN?

Hey friend! Have you ever wondered if using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is right for you? As an experienced cybersecurity professional, let me walk you through when and why using a VPN can benefit both individuals and businesses. I‘ll provide insider info to help you make the most informed decision.

What Is The Purpose Of A VPN?

A VPN‘s main function is to conceal your online activity. Even though virtual private networks (VPNs) are most commonly used to guard against hackers and keep communications private on public networks, you can also use them to hide your IP address, internet behavior, and personal details when using any Wi-Fi network, including the one in your own home.

As more of our lives happen online, the chance that our privacy could be compromised increases. Whenever you browse the web, someone may be watching or tracking your online activities, ranging from your ISP to corporations gathering data to monetize or sell, to hackers looking to steal your personal information for malicious purposes.

A VPN protects your online activity by securing your connection and hiding your location. We won’t get too deep here, but you can learn more about how VPNs work and what they do by reading my comprehensive guide on what a VPN is.

When to Use a VPN? Here Are the Top Reasons:

There are many advantages to keeping a VPN active 24/7. Security and data protection aren‘t the only reasons to maintain a VPN connection at all times. There are further benefits like unblocking geo-restricted content, as well as securing access to public Wi-Fi. Here are some of the top reasons to use a VPN:

1. Privacy And Anonymity From Third-Parties

The #1 benefit of always keeping your VPN on is the privacy and security it provides. Even if you have nothing to hide, it’s unsettling to think others could be spying on your personal browsing.

With a VPN, websites can’t track you or your online activities. This also means third-party advertisers won’t be able to monitor your web behavior to serve you targeted ads. So if you‘ve searched for an item on Google or even privately discussed something online with a friend, those terms won‘t show up in the ads you see. Your data is fully protected and kept confidential.

In fact, research shows that 89% of VPN users say the main reason they use a VPN is for privacy and security online.

2. To Bypass Geo Blocking

Streaming services like Netflix provide different content libraries based on your location. To access region-restricted shows and movies when traveling abroad, a VPN allows you to bypass geo-blocking by hiding your actual location.

When streaming geo-restricted content, it‘s best to keep your VPN connection on at all times. As soon as you disconnect from your VPN, your public IP address will be revealed. You may still be able to view the content currently on your screen, but the website will likely block you from loading another page.

However, if your VPN‘s bandwidth is lacking, you can try continuing to watch after disconnecting. This will let your ISP‘s bandwidth take over. You must fully load the video before disconnecting from the VPN. This will ensure your browser‘s IP location has passed the streaming service‘s checks.

3. Fight Online Censorship

In many countries like China, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, the internet is heavily censored. They restrict access to certain internet service providers and websites. Commonly blocked apps and websites include WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, YouTube, Skype, Spotify, and Facebook. News websites and journalism platforms are also often restricted as they are seen as a threat to the ruling government.

Some western countries also impose internet restrictions. Many countries block The Pirate Bay because they don‘t want their citizens to download illegal content.

According to data from VPNMentor, 26.5% of global internet users cannot access all of their favorite websites and apps due to censorship.

A VPN can help you bypass censorship and restrictions by connecting you to a server in another country. This allows you to access the internet as if you were in a different nation. You‘ll be able to visit websites and use apps that are not available in your own country.

4. Anonymity

Another major reason people choose to use a VPN is for the anonymity it provides. VPNs allow users to access the internet through multiple server locations. So all traffic is routed to and from the server, hiding your location and identity even from the host site.

This anonymity can also protect you from targeted cyberattacks since no one can trace your data back to personal details about you. Even if you visit a malicious website while connected to a VPN, your identity remains secure. There are countless VPN services that guarantee complete anonymity, with some requiring a small fee and others offering it for free. It‘s important to invest in a reputable VPN like NordVPN for more secure solutions over free options.

5. If You Experience Malicious Pop-Ups Or Annoying Ads

NordVPN hides your online behavior and shields you from intrusive advertising for a cleaner web experience. Targeted ads are frustrating. One day you search online for a black leather couch, and for the next month all you see are ads for those products. But how exactly do these ads follow you?

Third parties like your ISP are able to eavesdrop on your online activities and sell that data to advertisers, who then use it to match you with relevant items. A VPN hides your internet activities from your ISP and other third parties, making you virtually invisible online. So if you‘re tired of targeted ads following you around the web, having your VPN on at all times is the solution.

6. Disguising Your Whereabouts

VPN servers effectively act as your internet proxies. Your exact location can‘t be pinpointed since the geographical data comes from a server in another country. Additionally, most VPN services don‘t keep activity logs.

Some companies, compared to others, may log your activity but don‘t share it with third parties. This ensures any potential record of your online activities remains permanently hidden.

7. Access To Regional Content

There are times when regionally restricted web content is not available to everyone. Services and websites often have content that is limited to certain areas of the world. Standard connections determine your location using local servers in-country.

With VPN location spoofing, you can virtually "change" your location by switching to a server in a different country. This allows users to access domestic content while traveling and international content when at home.

According to reports, 30% of VPN users leverage this technology to access streaming content available in other countries.

8. When You‘re A Political Dissident

Countries with fewer rights for press freedom, communication, and opinion than those in many Western nations use harsh measures against individuals they see as threats to their governments.

It goes without saying that for political dissidents to access the internet within an oppressive state, a VPN (along with other privacy measures) is crucial. However, they are not a panacea, and governments are beginning to restrict their use.

9. Want To Keep Boss From Monitoring Your Browser History

Say your workplace has permissive internet policies, and you don‘t visit questionable websites anyway. Your supervisor reviewing your browsing history is no big deal, right?

Think again. Many employers don‘t mind if you check your personal email on your own time, during breaks, or over lunch. Problems can arise if your email, over which you have limited control, contains language your employer interprets as a red flag for discriminatory practices or collusion with a competitor.

Or you just don‘t want your boss to find out another company is trying to hire you away. Even when using the company network, your VPN keeps your data private from your employer. Surveys show that 46% of employees think using a work computer carries privacy risks.

10. Avoiding Trackers

Your personal information and browsing history belong to you. So it‘s understandable many object to ISPs and governments collecting and using this data for their own gain.

While some may argue state tracking is acceptable, the methods used are akin to trawling. Yes, they may catch all they need but the bycatch is enormous. If you want to avoid having your data harvested without consent, a VPN is the solution.

However, your ISP may use your data for less noble purposes. While they already profit from your broadband subscription, many supplement their income by selling personal data to advertisers. Using a virtual private network (VPN) allows you to avoid targeted marketing and feel at ease searching for what you want without being tracked.

Why You May Not Want or Need a VPN

In the past, large portions of the internet were unencrypted. Because well-configured VPNs secure all traffic leaving your computer, they provided an essential layer of security for many people.

Since then, however, there have been major advancements in the security of operating systems and web browsers. Today, it‘s possible to spend hours online banking, communicating with colleagues, posting on social media, shopping, and watching movies without visiting an unsecured website.

Internet users will now get a warning from their browser if they try to access a site that doesn‘t use HTTPS connections. Let‘s Encrypt, a nonprofit that provides free encryption certificates to websites, reports that it currently secures 276 million web pages.

So if you only visit reputable sites that use HTTPS, your connection is already secure and encrypted. Using a VPN in this case may be unnecessary and could even slow down your internet speed.

However, a VPN still provides benefits like anonymity and geo-unblocking that browser encryption does not. So it depends on your specific needs and use cases. I always recommend trying out a quality VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to see if the benefits are worth it for you. Most have free trials or money-back guarantees so you can test drive risk-free.

Why Use a VPN on My Phone?

Does your phone have all the most up-to-date versions of internet-connected apps like those released in 2018 and beyond? What operating system are you running? Is it the latest version of Android or iOS?

If you answered "I don‘t know" to any of these questions, using a mobile VPN is recommended whenever possible. While Wi-Fi networks aren‘t easy for criminals to exploit, outdated software can give thieves a chance to steal credentials from your most important accounts.

A 2021 report found that around 42% of all smartphone users have connected to public Wi-Fi in the past month. And 1 in 3 people (33%) say they actively avoid public Wi-Fi due to security concerns.

A VPN can provide peace of mind if you‘re concerned about using public Wi-Fi to access critical work email, check account balances, or travel ticket and visa information. Some of my top-rated VPN services for mobile are ExpressVPN, SurfShark, and NordVPN.

VPN Uses For Business

VPNs are commonly used in the following ways in a business setting:

1. Work From Home Without Worry

The return to the office still seems unlikely for many employees, at least in the near future. A virtual private network (VPN) allows remote workers to securely connect to the company network while also protecting data security for their projects and files.

Reports show that 70% of workers think their employer should provide a VPN to ensure data protection as work-from-home increases.

2. Keep Your Shared Network Secure

Your company‘s business communications will be more secure if you connect to a VPN over a shared networking environment like public Wi-Fi. This move makes your business less vulnerable to cyberattacks.

3. Control Access

It‘s possible to restrict access to sensitive information on a VPN, ensuring only those who need it can view it. Users will be required to log in and prove they have the proper authorization before access can be granted.

4. Browse Safely On Any Device

Connect securely to the cloud that powers your company‘s operations, regardless of what device you‘re using. Because a VPN is encrypted and hosted remotely, you can access it from anywhere without fear of hacking.

According to a recent survey, 83% of IT professionals said their organizations are very likely to increase investment in VPNs.

VPN Uses For Gamers

No matter what type of video game genre you play, when any of the games you play (regardless of platform) connect to the internet, using a virtual private network (VPN) is recommended to protect your online privacy and safety. A quality virtual private network (VPN) can also enhance your gaming experience.

1. Protect Yourself Against Swatting

There have been a few documented cases of gamers getting so angry they start stalking other players in multiplayer games, though this is very rare.

If another player finds your IP address, they‘ll be able to hack into any of your social media accounts and potentially find your exact location and stalk you in real life. They may even resort to swatting in extreme cases. While this kind of harassment is extremely unusual, someone could call in a fake hostage situation, terrorist incident, or other dangerous issue and send emergency personnel to someone else‘s home. This has turned deadly in the past.

2. No Lag, No Problems

As you may already know, a virtual private network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel between your computer and the internet. Because no one else has access to this dedicated connection except to serve you, no one will be able to steal your bandwidth, and your internet service provider won‘t be able to throttle your connectivity because they won‘t know what you‘re doing.

Studies show that gamers see a 38% increase in speed when connecting through a VPN due to avoiding network congestion and throttling.

3. Prevent DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks are becoming more and more commonplace. If someone finds out you‘re streaming your gameplay on Twitch and have beaten them in a multiplayer game, they may choose to take your channel down using a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. Such attacks can be prevented by using a virtual private network (VPN).

What Features To Look For in a VPN

When deciding to use a VPN, it‘s also important to know what features to look for in a VPN service. Here are some things to keep in mind when evaluating providers:

• Logging Policy: How does your VPN provider log data? In other words, what information are they going to keep about your VPN sessions, and how long will they retain it? Are they tracking your IP address, websites you visit, amount of bandwidth you use, or any other relevant information? Logging is a requirement for all VPNs, but some log as little as possible while others collect no data at all. Additionally, some services delete their logs within a few days while others keep them for months. Your tolerance for your VPN provider keeping activity logs of your online behavior, as well as the contents of those logs, is directly proportional to the level of anonymity you expect to have while browsing via a VPN.
• Allowed Uses: What are the acceptable terms of use for the VPN you choose? Because VPNs are so popular with torrent users, allowed activities can vary widely on different VPNs. Some restrict things like P2P file sharing while others allow it. Make sure the VPN you select permits your intended usage.
• Internet Speed: The fastest VPNs can provide nearly the same internet speeds as your ISP. Slow VPNs will dramatically reduce bandwidth. I always recommend testing the internet speed of any VPN service first through a free trial to avoid slowdowns.
• Number of Server Locations: More server locations means you‘re more likely to find one close to your own location, reducing latency. A wider variety of servers also provides more options to spoof different locations. Look for VPNs with servers in areas important to you.
• Simultaneous Connections: Many top VPNs allow 5, 10, or even unlimited devices to connect through a single account. This allows you to secure all your personal and work devices.
• Apps: Make sure the VPN provider offers apps for all your devices like desktop, mobile, routers, streaming boxes, and gaming consoles. This ensures you can connect a VPN on every gadget you use to access the internet.
• Customer Support: Around the clock live chat and email support provides help when you need it. I suggest testing support response times and knowledge during a free trial.

The Bottom Line

As we‘ve explored in this article, there are many instances where using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is beneficial for both security and accessibility. Here‘s a quick rundown of the top reasons to use a VPN:

• Enhanced privacy and anonymity online
• Bypass geo-restrictions to access content globally
• Avoid censorship and access restricted apps and sites
• Keep your identity secure when using public Wi-Fi
• Stream, work, and game without throttling or snooping
• Protect company data for remote workers
• Hide your location and browsing history from ISPs and government surveillance

The most reputable VPN providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and SurfShark make it easy to protect your online privacy. I always recommend starting with a risk-free trial to experience the benefits firsthand.

While new encryption standards reduce the need for a VPN when browsing secure sites, they still have advantages like anonymity that HTTPS connections do not provide. Overall, using a quality Virtual Private Network gives you the power to take control over your data and online footprint.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help break down the technical side of cybersecurity.