Security | Why is everyone downloading a VPN?
6 Practical uses for a VPN
When you think of online security, you think of much more than before: today, everything we do in our routine is mediated by new technologies and the web, so a breach in online security can end up being very serious.
If we stop to analyze, our digital devices are part of every step we take: whether let's identify ourselves as gamers, students, freelance workers, or simple web surfers; the time we spend in front of a screen is increasing.
In fact, different studies at a global level indicate that an average adult spends more than 7 hours on the internet.
That amount of time is a clear reference to the things that can be done online. It is also an indicator of the risks of being available online for almost a third of the day. Well then, reinforcing protection and privacy is a must for any kind of person on the web, away from the prejudice that may think that it is only a matter of specialists or programmers.
That is why the time has come to talk about VPN. This is a booming program that allows you to avoid the most common risks on the Internet. At the same time that it protects possible hacks on social networks, bank fraud, identity theft or theft of personal and sensitive data. Here's everything you need to know.
First… What is a VPN?
It is important to know what we are referring to here: the acronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Network in English, which is what is achieved when we use software with these characteristics. Why private? To begin with, because all the information of our passage through the internet -consumption, clicks, activities, personal data- will be encrypted and encrypted to be transported to a VPN server.
The journey of that data packet isIt will be given through a kind of private digital tunnel that will connect our device with the server in question. It is usually located in another country and even on another continent. In this way, the user's IP address is instantly changed to that of the other location, which ends up being profitable for various reasons.
Firstly, we will become very difficult to track and follow by the external controllers that abound on the internet today. Each page we visit has a record of information and data for different reasons. In addition to government controls, we can also mention that of private companies, which are responsible for collecting data and then carrying out marketing campaigns.
A VPN, in other words, has the ability to make us invisible, which in turn results in great privacy and anonymity for the user., two factors that should not be neglected at all in the year 2022. Did you ever think that you could use the internet like a decade ago?
On the other hand, modify our IP address, the user's fingerprint is also erased, then our stay on the web cannot be associated with us. This reinforces everything that has been said so far: the less visibility, the more security online and the less risk of attacks.
To do this, we cannot fail to mention one of the most frequent uses of VPNs today: the unblock content restricted by geolocated trackers. For example, if you want watch NBC from Spain, by connecting to a server in the United States you will be able to break the restrictions and access your favorite programs.
Next, we will go into more detail about some of the advantages that a VPN can offer us and understand even better why everyone is talking about them and downloading them. Let us begin.
6 Practical uses for a VPN
1) Work remotely:
Today it is very common for workers to adopt new forms outside the traditional ones. El remote employment and freelance has allowed many people to develop new trades and create a new dynamic in the labor and professional market.
By having a VPN, we will be able to access the necessary information and resources no matter where we connect from. This is very useful for those who want to work while traveling, or for professionals whose jobs require frequent travel. By connecting to a server in the country that is needed, we will be able to continue carrying out our functions with total normality.
2) Avoid price discrimination:
Another point that excites users to try their luck with VPNs is the opportunity to get instant discounts without having to do anything. Zero coupons, codes or purchases at abnormal hours. How is this possible? Because of the discrimination of values that some firms have.
Nowadays, It is common to find that a company offers a digital service with different prices according to the user's country of origin. This practice can lead to very important price differences. So a VPN is not only a digital protection tool, but also protects our wallet.
3) Security in public connections:
When we are traveling, or we have run out of mobile data, the search for Wifi is similar to that of water in the desert. This leads us to try to connect to as many networks as we come across. This is something that can have dangerous consequences for us and our devices.
Open or public Wi-Fi networks they can be a big trap. Their security protocols are very low, so anyone sharing that same network can access our online activity and obtain sensitive and important data. Many bank scams, for example, take place in this way.
The same happens in relation to identity theft crime or malware that affects devices. By using a VPN, we will change our IP address to that of the chosen server, making ourselves invisible to other users connected to the public network. This point is important for establishments such as cafeterias, parks, airports or state agencies.
4) Avoid political censorship:
In populations living under authoritarian governments, VPNs end up being a bridge to quality information. Also with freedom of expression to report what is really happening. Unfortunately, even in the middle of 2022, it is normal for government sectors -and even private sectors- to manage information and access to it.
With a VPN, people can break controls and restrictions to approach another reality and make your voice heard by the rest of the world. As a result of this, VPNs may be heavily restricted or banned in some nations.
5) Bypass regional security locks:
Finally, and as we have previously pointed out, A VPN for our devices with internet access is vital to break any kind of content restriction. Streaming sites, social networks, web portals and other types of internet pages modify their catalog according to the country in question.
If we do not want to miss anything, we must choose a VPN server that is in the necessary area. In services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or HBO, this resource is increasingly requested by users.