In today’s world, the internet permeates most aspects of life. Millions of people use the internet every day, which is why maintaining online privacy and security is essential. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers this to a very reasonable extent.
VPNs are tools that provide secure and private internet access to users. Besides security, they enhance user experience in various online activities, from remote work to playing games. This article will discuss four online activities users can enjoy with VPNs and how they provide protection during those activities.
Four Online Activities You Can Do With a VPN
VPNs can make work and pastime activities easier. Check out these four activities that users can simplify with a VPN:
Remote Work
Remote work is the rave of the business world right now. Businesses also use the internet and computers for their daily activities. Their constant online presence makes them vulnerable to cyber threats, including hackers and data breaches.
VPNs create a safe, encrypted ‘tunnel’ for data to pass through the internet. These networks encrypt remote workers’ internet connections. This means the data they send or receive — including sensitive email, personal data, and login credentials — is encrypted.
Even if their data was intercepted by cybercriminals, all they would find are technical jargon that’s almost impossible to decipher. It also masks the user’s IP address (which provides information about their location), giving them digital anonymity. This reduces the risk of being targeted by cybercriminals.
Public WiFi Networks
While public WiFi networks are convenient, they can also be cybercriminals’ hunting grounds. Public networks are usually unsecured and unencrypted. This means that your personal information could be compromised, which may lead to potential data theft and privacy breaches. VPN encryption solves this problem. The data you transmit when using a VPN with public WiFi are encrypted and turned into incomprehensible jargon, so it won’t be usable, even if a criminal intercepts it.
Avoiding Geographic Restrictions
Geographic restrictions can be frustrating whether a user is trying to play various games online or access a site restricted to their location. Geographic restrictions work by identifying the IP address, which provides information on the user’s location.
Based on the location a user is in, specific content or services are made unavailable. Since VPNs can conceal IP addresses, users can use the content from the VPNs address and not their actual address. For example, users in Europe can use a VPN to access content only available in the US by connecting to a US-based server, and vice versa.
Online Gaming
Online gaming is becoming more popular each year, whether it be multiplayer games and e-sports competitions or card games and bingo apps. However, with increased popularity comes challenges, such as high ping times and geographical gaming restrictions. VPNs can alleviate issues such as high latency by connecting the user to a server closer to the game server, or to a country where the specific online game application you are trying to use is available. This reduces the distance the data needs to travel, decreases ping and opens up the app to more users worldwide.
Virtual Private Networks are crucial in today’s digitally advanced society. They are easily accessible security measures that individuals can use to protect themselves while they move more freely on the web, even if they aren’t tech-savvy. VPNs’ efficiency in protecting and securing data makes them indispensable for navigating the online world.
