Online privacy is a hot topic as most people now understand how important it is to keep their data safe. However, keeping our data safe isn’t as easy as a pie as we might not know how, when, and who steals our data and uses it in whatever way they want.
That being said, a virtual private network (VPN) can help us stay safe on the internet. Plus, besides protecting our data, a VPN can do more than you may not know about. So, if you want to know how you can effectively use a VPN to make the most out of it, read on:
Connect to Public Hotspots Safely:
Whenever we’re outside, public hotspots can help us stay connected to the internet. However, as convenient as public hotspots are, they’re equally dangerous as they put our devices and data in danger.
Public hotspots, especially the unencrypted ones and open to everyone, are the real threat. As a user, you never know if a hacker has already corrupted the network and waiting to steal your data as soon as you connect to it. What’s worse is that you may even not know if your data is being stolen or not.
To make sure the data stored on your device remains safe, use a VPN before connecting to public WiFi. A VPN encrypts your download and uploads data as soon as you connect to it. The data you send or receive goes through the VPN server first and then makes its way to its destination. This way, a VPN makes your device inaccessible to malicious actors, waiting to steal your data without your knowledge.
Pro Tip: You can also choose a reliable home internet that provides free hotspot zones nationwide. As an Xfinity user, I get access to more than 20 million fast and secure hotspot zones that I can connect to without worrying about my data. Here is Xfinity customer support number in case you want to get more information.
Bypass Bandwidth Throttling:
Bandwidth throttling occurs when our ISPs intentionally slow down our internet speeds. There are multiple reasons for bandwidth throttling, but the most common ones are:
- We try to access prohibited content or websites.
- We’re close to using our plan’s data limit.
- ISPs want to free up some network’s bandwidth and manage the traffic.
One way to overcome bandwidth throttling is to connect to a VPN. Since a VPN encrypts your device’s traffic, it becomes invisible to your ISP. Your ISP may only see that you’re using the internet, but it won’t know what you’re doing. So, a VPN is a great option to bypass bandwidth throttling.
Save Money on Traveling:
If you’re booking an online flight, car rental, or hotel, then a VPN can save you a considerable amount of money. Most people do not know that online travel services track and charge you based on your location.
It’s because the purchasing power of people around the world is different. And not everyone can afford such online services at the same rate. So, when you connect to a VPN, your device’s location changes. Your location essentially becomes the server’s location you’re connected to. This way, you can book flights, car rentals, or hotels and avail of discounts that they may not offer in your location.
Prevent Websites from Tracking Your Data:
Not all, but most companies closely observe our online activities and steal data without us knowing. They may sell that data to third-party advertisers or bombard us with targeted ads. Plus, some websites don’t stop here, as they follow our trail on the internet; they collect data from pages, websites, or online stores we visit to know our likes, dislikes, and preferences.
The best way to prevent this is to connect the device to a VPN before visiting any site. It’s for the same reason that the site cannot figure out the fake IP address that is assigned and hence, cannot steal the real data. As soon as we disconnect from the VPN, the device’s original IP address returns, and we don’t get to see targeted ads anymore.
Safe and Private Downloading:
We download movies, music, games, and more on the internet. While it shouldn’t be a problem to download anything from the internet, it can be unsafe sometimes, especially when we engage in peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading.
In P2P downloading, the other person can see our device’s IP address. As a result, he can access our device’s data. So, the best way to download anything from the internet is to connect to a VPN first.
A VPN puts a veil on our original IP address and assigns a fake one. Even if the person cracks the fake IP address, the data on our devices isn’t affected.
Bonus Suggestion: Prefer a Premium VPN over a Free Version:
I’d suggest you always go for a premium VPN over a free one because:
- Ads – Free VPNs show ads which can be frustrating at times whereas premium VPNs are ads-free.
- More Servers – Free VPNs have a limited number of servers for free users. As traffic increases on a server, your internet speed may slow down. Premium VPNs offer secure and fast servers to their users with minimal traffic.
- Data Tracking – Not all, but some free VPNs may track and steal your data and sell it to third-party advertisers. Resultantly, they may earn money to keep providing you with their free services. On the other hand, premium VPNs charge a reasonable amount to use their services and do not need to track or steal your data.
