04-19-2018 , 06:16 PM
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) keeps you anonymous online, and that’s reason enough to use one. But there are other cool ways that a VPN can improve your life too.
Here’s how a VPN works: It encrypts your internet connection, and then routes it through a server in another location. It’s like an internet tunnel. Because your connection is encrypted, anyone who intercepts your data can’t read it. Because your connection goes through a server, no one can see where you are in the world. You have a fake IP address, and it looks like you’re browsing from the location of the server.
It might sound a bit technical but it's easy to use, and the perks are great. Here are seven cool tricks you can do with a VPN:
1. Stream more stuff:
Ever logged in to Netflix in a different country while you're on vacation? You get completely different content. There are all kinds of boring licensing reasons why this is, but it sucks. Some streaming service are only available in a particular country, such as BBC iPlayer. You can beat this system with a VPN and access whatever you want.
The website knows where you are from your IP address. You just need to switch on your VPN and choose a server in the right country. The website will see your fake IP address and thinks you’re in that country. Stream away!
2. Speed up your connection:
If you’ve heard of net neutrality, you’ll know it’s now legal for your internet service provider (ISP) to throttle your connection or block sites. That’s not fair. They can slow down your internet if they think you’re using too much bandwidth.
Well, not if you’re using a VPN they can’t. When your connection is encrypted, not even your ISP can see what you’re doing. If they can’t see what you’re doing, they can’t restrict it. Victory for the little guys.
3. Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi:
You probably use public Wi-Fi all the time. From airports to coffee shops, we love to jump on free bandwidth. The problem is that these connections often have little or no security. It’s super easy for a hacker on the same network to intercept your internet traffic. If you’re shopping or banking online then suddenly they’ve got your financial details.
With a VPN your data is strongly encrypted before it leaves your phone or computer. Jonny Hacker can still pull it out of the air, but he won't be able to read it. Problem solved.
4. Save money:
Did you know that online prices for hotels, flights, and loads of other things vary depending on which country you’re in? Crazy isn’t it?
Switch on your VPN. The website will think you’re somewhere else in the world, and suddenly you’ve got a better price. It’s called geo-spoofing, and it works great.
5. Use P2P securely:
Downloading stuff peer to peer (P2P) can be great, but there are also several risks. People you’re sharing with can see your IP address and work out where you are. Cyber-criminals can target you. Your ISP can get upset and restrict your bandwidth.
Just fire up your VPN. No one can see where you are or what you’re doing. You can upload and download to your heart’s content.
6. Browse in peace:
Even if you’re not doing anything nefarious, you may want to do things online that wouldn’t exactly make your mom proud. At least 49% of the world’s population knows what I’m talking about.
You think incognito mode it going to save you? No chance. It might hide the evidence on your computer, but your ISP and other sites are still happily logging your activity.
A VPN gives you the privacy and security you need. No one can monitor you. The best VPN providers don’t even keep logs themselves, so there’s no evidence anywhere.
7. Communicate online better:
Maybe Skype is blocked in the country you’re in. Maybe VOIP calls are cheaper if they’re to a local number. Maybe you don’t want anyone to hack into your conversation and eavesdrop.
You can avoid all these issues by encrypting your connection and faking your location. In other words, the VPN special.
Sounds great! Which VPN do I get?
There are hundreds of providers out there. Any VPN does the basics, some are a lot better than others. The worst ones might drop out suddenly, leaving you unprotected. They might limit your bandwidth or downloads. They might keep logs of your online activity to track you.
There are some excellent providers out there too.
Here’s how a VPN works: It encrypts your internet connection, and then routes it through a server in another location. It’s like an internet tunnel. Because your connection is encrypted, anyone who intercepts your data can’t read it. Because your connection goes through a server, no one can see where you are in the world. You have a fake IP address, and it looks like you’re browsing from the location of the server.
It might sound a bit technical but it's easy to use, and the perks are great. Here are seven cool tricks you can do with a VPN:
1. Stream more stuff:
Ever logged in to Netflix in a different country while you're on vacation? You get completely different content. There are all kinds of boring licensing reasons why this is, but it sucks. Some streaming service are only available in a particular country, such as BBC iPlayer. You can beat this system with a VPN and access whatever you want.
The website knows where you are from your IP address. You just need to switch on your VPN and choose a server in the right country. The website will see your fake IP address and thinks you’re in that country. Stream away!
2. Speed up your connection:
If you’ve heard of net neutrality, you’ll know it’s now legal for your internet service provider (ISP) to throttle your connection or block sites. That’s not fair. They can slow down your internet if they think you’re using too much bandwidth.
Well, not if you’re using a VPN they can’t. When your connection is encrypted, not even your ISP can see what you’re doing. If they can’t see what you’re doing, they can’t restrict it. Victory for the little guys.
3. Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi:
You probably use public Wi-Fi all the time. From airports to coffee shops, we love to jump on free bandwidth. The problem is that these connections often have little or no security. It’s super easy for a hacker on the same network to intercept your internet traffic. If you’re shopping or banking online then suddenly they’ve got your financial details.
With a VPN your data is strongly encrypted before it leaves your phone or computer. Jonny Hacker can still pull it out of the air, but he won't be able to read it. Problem solved.
4. Save money:
Did you know that online prices for hotels, flights, and loads of other things vary depending on which country you’re in? Crazy isn’t it?
Switch on your VPN. The website will think you’re somewhere else in the world, and suddenly you’ve got a better price. It’s called geo-spoofing, and it works great.
5. Use P2P securely:
Downloading stuff peer to peer (P2P) can be great, but there are also several risks. People you’re sharing with can see your IP address and work out where you are. Cyber-criminals can target you. Your ISP can get upset and restrict your bandwidth.
Just fire up your VPN. No one can see where you are or what you’re doing. You can upload and download to your heart’s content.
6. Browse in peace:
Even if you’re not doing anything nefarious, you may want to do things online that wouldn’t exactly make your mom proud. At least 49% of the world’s population knows what I’m talking about.
You think incognito mode it going to save you? No chance. It might hide the evidence on your computer, but your ISP and other sites are still happily logging your activity.
A VPN gives you the privacy and security you need. No one can monitor you. The best VPN providers don’t even keep logs themselves, so there’s no evidence anywhere.
7. Communicate online better:
Maybe Skype is blocked in the country you’re in. Maybe VOIP calls are cheaper if they’re to a local number. Maybe you don’t want anyone to hack into your conversation and eavesdrop.
You can avoid all these issues by encrypting your connection and faking your location. In other words, the VPN special.
Sounds great! Which VPN do I get?
There are hundreds of providers out there. Any VPN does the basics, some are a lot better than others. The worst ones might drop out suddenly, leaving you unprotected. They might limit your bandwidth or downloads. They might keep logs of your online activity to track you.
There are some excellent providers out there too.