A VPN has long been a valuable tool for savvy internet users. Initially, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) was an exceptional tool for keeping users anonymous. As time has gone on and the world has become increasingly digital, the use of a VPN has only skyrocketed.
There has been a massive increase in cybercriminals, nefarious third-party businesses, and even authoritarian governments – aiming to restrict or harm your online experience. Now getting a VPN is incredibly easy, with options like Urban Free VPN available at zero cost.
For many reasons, the first big boom in VPN usage came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Firstly, because so many people were stuck in their homes, the rise in online streaming entertainment was only natural. It became clear to many people that a VPN could get you so much more content than what was initially offered on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus.
Secondly, many governments, social media platforms, and more were restricting the news and online content available – it became a very hyper-sensitive political issue, so some countries or platforms would cut down on the amount of COVID-19 conversations. In some countries, like China, Russia, Iran, and others, the number of restrictions to their online availability was already huge. The need for people in this country to view partisan and unbiased information online was huge during the pandemic.
VPNs never looked back after the pandemic and have only grown in ways they add value to people who use them to go online. Whether chilling out in the afternoon and streaming your favorite TV shows, buying some clothes or flight tickets online, or even trying to cut down on those pesky targeted advertisements, a VPN can do it all. According to VPN.Coupons, here are the key things a VPN can do for your online experience:
Creates a Safer Time
While to be fully protected, you should always use a strong antivirus and firewall combination; people are finding more and more that using a VPN can be a huge benefit to keeping yourself safe online. Cybercriminals are being found to thrive in laying traps through nefariously disguised websites.
They will hide amongst a harmless-looking landing page and then bombard a user with viruses, malware, ransomware, or phishing attacks. The best thing about a VPN and its safety benefits is that it cloaks you from these dangerous characters. Even the shadiest cybercriminal will not be able to spot you, or even if they did, it would not be worth their time and effort to chase you, as your data and information will be encrypted and safe through the VPN.
It Respects Privacy and Anonymity
Using a VPN started with users wanting to keep themselves private and anonymous when they went online. However, the rise of third-party businesses and corporations collecting your data and monetizing it has only grown to a point where a VPN can significantly benefit them. Especially when companies like Yahoo have data breaches, leaking millions of individuals’ personal information.
It is also known that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) now collects your online history and activity and can do what they want. No need to notify you or get your consent; they can just sell it for profit. An excellent example is how Verizon acted in the US, selling its customer data to advertisers and businesses.
Gets More Content
It is becoming widely known that depending on where you are in the world; you are restricted in what is available to you. This sad reality is true for streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others. If you are in one part of the world, you can only view a select content availability. If you are elsewhere, you get a different selection.
This is a shame if you wanted to watch Bridgerton but was in the United States; you would have to be in the United Kingdom to access this TV show. Fortunately, a VPN will reroute you through a server in the UK and give you all the binge-worthy episodes you could want. The same can be said for wanting to watch a specific TV show or sport that is nationally exclusive.
For example, if you wanted to watch the Snooker Championships in the United States, you would find that relatively impossible as it is not on any channel or streaming service in the US. However, in the UK, it is broadcast nationally for free. If you use a VPN for this, you get access to a sport you love, whereas before, it was completely cut off from you.
These three key benefits of a VPN can revolutionize your online experience, giving you content you could only have dreamt of before while protecting your online data, information, and overall well-being when you browse the internet.