With computers, sometimes there is a lot of tech lingo thrown at us we pretend to understand, but that we really don’t understand at all. The term “VPN” is high on the list of things that are confusing for customers.
Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a network that provides its users with privacy and anonymity while using a public WiFi hotspot, or any other type of public connection, in order to protect personal information.
When people are on their computers in a coffee shop, they are not worrying about prying eyes. They are there to relax. However, people steal information online all the time because it is easy to gain access to your connection and network.
Think about all the times that you log in to your bank while you’re waiting for your prescriptions or how many times you put your credit card information into a website without being on a secure network. A VPN protects you by encrypting your data so that you can continue doing all the things that normally do online with no added worries.
The short answer:Yes. Here are the reasons.
There are certain features that you should look out for when shopping for a VPN service that can best compliment your needs.
Just like when you’re choosing what the best Internet bundle would be for your household, the best way to choose a VPN service is by figuring out what your needs are and what kind of security is the most important to you.
The chief things you should look at before buying a VPN service are data, cost, privacy, and accessibility.
Some VPN services have data limits, just like a cellphone plan would. It’s important to pay attention to data limits if you are someone that has a need for unmetered bandwidth. For example, if you consistently download and upload extensive files, then you’ll want to look for a VPN service that doesn’t set data limits.
This ties in with the cost of the service. How much are you willing to pay for convenience and security? Most VPN service plans range from $12 to $15 per month. This will mean that you won’t see a lot of advertisements. They will also allow simultaneous connections and a sizable number of servers for running high-performance applications.
If you prefer not to pay, there are some free VPNs available in the market. However, keep in mind that with a free VPN there is a risk of your information being collected and sold to third parties. Free VPNs are also not as reliable, they have a higher disconnection rate, and don’t always follow proper security protocols to protect their users.
The one other thing that might be important to you, for security reasons, is figuring out whether the VPN server location is important to you. Essentially, what this means is that you can make it look as if you’re accessing the web from a different location than where you actually are. In order to do this, you just have to make sure that there is a server in that location.
Having a VPN at home is technically unnecessary. VPNs are the most useful when you’re on the go and need reliable and secure connection to maintain privacy with your personal information.
Still, we live in a world in which we are constantly risking our personal information through WiFi networks that are less than ideal. They are networks that leave us questioning how much of ourselves we’re exposing online to viruses, malware, and hackers.
Even with a secure connection at home, there is still a chance of exposure. Even though the VPN is not technically necessary at home, it’s not a bad idea to have one. Remember, there are still a lot of agencies, companies, and websites that are tracking browsing history, location, and recording your online activity without your permission. A VPN will give you peace of mind and a very strong encrypted shield.
Now that you’ve made the choice to add a VPN service to your life, the next question is: Which one should you choose?
There are plenty of services out there that are both affordable and reliable.
The benefits of having a VPN are many. While there are things to consider when purchasing a service, it still doesn’t hurt to have a service that can provide added security and safety to your personal online activities. Unfortunately, the Internet is getting more dangerous each day, despite all the advancements made with technology. It’s better to protect yourself now before it’s too late to salvage your privacy.