As we increasingly rely on digital technologies, we expose ourselves to the risk of privacy violations and cyber threats. Unsurprisingly, more people are leveraging Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enhance online security. So what motivates this trend, and what are the main benefits of using a VPN?
Given the plethora of digital security solutions on the market today, it’s a fair question. All of them promise the same thing — digital security and privacy. So what separates a VPN from the rest of the pack? Well, that’s where this article comes in. Let’s look at the top benefits of using a VPN and why you should start using one today.
So why use a VPN?
To understand the necessity behind VPNs, we’ll need a good grasp of how they work and what they do.
In a nutshell, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and IP address, giving you an added layer of privacy and security when using the Internet. 
If the Internet is a super highway, you can think of VPNs as your own private stretch of road, to which only you have access. This makes it much harder for hackers, governments, or anyone else to track and monitor your online activity.
The essential purpose of any VPN boils down to these three things:
- Data Security — Ensure your data is secure and encrypted while you browse the web
- Internet Privacy — Stop anyone from tracking or monitoring your online activity
- Unrestricted access — Bypass censorship and geo-restrictions to access content from anywhere
Why use a VPN at home?
It’s a common misconception that VPNs are only for businesses or people who often travel and/or use Public Wi-FI networks. However, even if you spend most of your time at home, your data can still be compromised or stolen.
How is that possible, you ask? Well, the truth is that your home network is not as secure as you might think. Even if you’re the only one using it and your Wi-FI password is protected, there is still a chance that someone could hijack your connection, or, even worse – access the data stored inside your computer.
Don’t believe us? Well, then consider a 2021 study by Norton which found that more than 20% of consumers have experienced malicious cyberattacks on their computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices connected to their home network. That translates to millions losing their data, money, and identity.
Using a VPN is one excellent way to protect yourself against these threats, making it much harder for hackers to exploit any vulnerabilities in your home network.
Benefits of a VPN
Now that we’ve established the necessity behind VPNs, let’s look at some of the other many benefits of using one. Some of these we’ve already covered in the sections above, but they are well-worth expounding upon.
Increased Online Privacy
Of the many benefits of a VPN, privacy is at the top of the list.
You can use a VPN to hide your actual IP address so that websites and online services cannot determine your location or identity. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to track or monitor your online activity.
Advantages of VPN in data security
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic using 256-bit encryption, the same level of security used by banks and governments. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to read or intercept your data. So whether you’re sending sensitive data over email or browsing the web, a VPN will help keep your data safe from prying eyes.
Bypassing geo-restrictions
VPNs give you access to websites or content that would otherwise be unavailable due to certain geographical restrictions or censorship.
For example, let’s say you’re traveling to a country with strict censorship laws, such as China — by using a VPN, you can access websites and apps like you never left home.
Unblocking Streaming Content
One popular entry on our list of VPN benefits is the unblocking of streamed content.
As you may already know, many streaming services restrict access to their content based on geographical locations. But with a VPN, you can easily bypass these restrictions and watch your favorite shows or movies from anywhere in the world.
Better Connection Speeds
In most cases, using a VPN can slow down your connection speeds a bit due to the extra encryption overhead. But that’s not always the case.
If you live in a country/region where your internet connection is constantly monitored or throttled, then the use of a VPN can improve your connection speeds. By routing your traffic through a VPN server, you can bypass local throttling and enjoy a smoother online experience.
Get access to better deals
Another popular reason for using a VPN is that it can help you save money when making online purchases. Most people are unaware that online retailers and services often change their prices depending on your location.
Let’s take Netflix, for example — a premium subscription in the US costs $19.99 per month. However, in places like Turkey or Pakistan, the same subscription only costs around $6-7 per month.
Now that’s quite the difference, and with the help of a VPN, you can take advantage of those lower prices by connecting to a server located in that region.
Safe use of public Wi-Fi networks
If you use public Wi-Fi networks often, then you should know that such networks are a popular target for hackers. If you have absolutely no choice but to use them, we recommend you take steps to protect yourself. The easiest way is to use a VPN to encrypt all traffic on your device.
Enable P2P File Sharing
Many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) block P2P connections to prevent users from downloading & sharing torrents. This is due to pressure from copyright holders, but it can be extremely inconvenient if you need to download files for legitimate reasons.
Since a VPN routes and encrypts your traffic through a VPN server, ISPs cannot detect or block your P2P connections.
Reduce lag in online gaming
If you’re a gamer, you know that nothing is worse than having high ping or lag while gaming. VPNs can help reduce these issues by routing your connection through a server closer geographically to the game server, resulting in less latency and a better online gaming experience.
Compatibility with both desktops and mobile devices
Most premium VPNs have apps for both desktop and mobile devices so that you can access the Internet safely from any device.
Things you can do with a VPN
While the advantages of using VPNs are numerous, it is crucial to understand that not all VPNs are created equal. When choosing a VPN service provider, it’s essential to do your research and find a trustworthy option that takes privacy and security seriously.
One such provider is ClearVPN, which offers a broad range of features designed to protect your online privacy and security. This includes high-level encryption, a strict no-logs policy, fast connection speeds, and reliable customer support.
Drawing from our collective experience dealing with users and listening to their feedback, we recently launched ClearVPN 2. It’s our latest bid at re-engineering VPN solutions focused on unrivaled privacy, security, and an uncompromised user experience. You can download ClearVPN app for your device here.
Gone are the messy shortcuts and confusing UI. In their place, we built a sleek and modern app designed to maximize efficiency and ease of use. Just run the VPN app on your device (ClearVPN supports Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS devices) and click on big button in the middle of the screen. This will make your connection secure and private and protects you from the majority of online threats.
And that’s it — no fumbling with settings or figuring out which country’s server to connect to. Click on the locations button at the bottom of the main screen and choose from 45+ server locations to access region-specific websites or services.
Also, ClearVPN has one more special function. ClearVPN has “Streaming” which gives you the ability to gain access to the most popular online streaming services worldwide. Among them are Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Max, and Paramount Plus.
So whether you’re a privacy-conscious user, a business looking to secure its online activities, or someone seeking a better way to browse the Internet, ClearVPN is the VPN you’ll love using! Try it for free today!