Pros And Cons Of Using A VPN For Everyday Internet Use

If you have spent some time on the internet, you are likely aware of some of the dangers it presents. With the rise of cyber threats, keeping your data safe while online should be a major priority.

A VPN has emerged as a very popular tool to do just that. But what are the pros and cons of using a VPN, and how should you use it?

What Does A VPN Do?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that ensures security and anonymity by creating a safe connection between your device and the internet. VPNs are often described as a very secure tunnel through which your online activity can pass. This protects your data and keeps it hidden from prying eyes.

VPNs also hide your IP address by routing your data through one of their servers. This is great for masking your location and preventing people like your ISP (Internet Service Provider) from tracking your online activities.

Best VPNs For Online Security And Privacy

The best VPNs are usually those that offer excellent speed, security, and privacy. Other important factors to consider include whether the VPN provider tracks your browsing history, as well as the quality of their customer service. All these factors are crucial. But the best VPNs are the ones that keep you safe. This means they have robust encryption and protocols to ensure your internet data stays secure.

What Are The Pros Of Using A VPN Everyday?

Not many people fully understand the importance of a VPN and why you need a VPN for online activity. You might be wondering why you should even use a VPN at all. These pros will help you understand the importance and the difference it can make when using a VPN.

Anonymity

No matter what you do online, whether you’re scrolling through Facebook or doing online shopping for the third time today, you’ll leave a digital footprint. Any cybercriminal with the right tools could access this footprint, potentially gaining access to your social accounts or even finding out where you live. A VPN hides your IP address by routing it through one of its servers, ensuring that people can’t easily see your IP address or track your online activities.

Encrypted Tunnel

It’s no secret that the UK has some of the strictest online surveillance laws, which is why privacy should be important to you. A VPN uses encryption to send your data through a secure tunnel. This prevents the government, your ISP, or even your colleagues from easily accessing your data. Even if they do get access, they will have a hard time deciphering the encrypted data.

Decrease Pesky Ads

Anyone who has ever shopped for something specific online has probably dealt with the barrage of ads that follow. By hiding your IP address, it becomes harder for companies to track you, which will reduce the number of ads you encounter.

Unblocks Content

Maybe there’s a show you really want to watch but you can’t because you always get the message “Not available in your country.” With a VPN, you can change your IP address to appear as though you’re in another country, allowing you to watch blocked content.

Protects Against Public Wi-Fi

Everyone uses public Wi-Fi because it’s convenient to log into a café’s Wi-Fi rather than using your own data. However, public Wi-Fi is a hotspot for malicious hackers, so it’s vital to use a VPN when connecting to a public network. The encrypted tunnel and protocols will keep your data safe and your IP address hidden from hackers.

What Are The Cons Of Using A VPN Everyday?

While it’s clear that using a VPN daily can be convenient and useful, it doesn’t come without drawbacks. Here are some cons you should be aware of:

Speed

VPNs aren’t perfect, and unfortunately, when your data is rerouted through a secure tunnel and server, it can affect your internet speed. This may be an issue when streaming high-quality videos or gaming. However, this is mostly an issue with free or cheap VPNs. Most quality VPNs prioritise improving speed.

Cost

VPNs that are worth having usually cost a monthly or annual fee. Free VPNs should be used with caution, as they are often Trojan horses themselves. By investing in a good VPN, you’ll receive great customer service and a service that protects your data.

Websites Block VPNs

Unfortunately, some websites, like streaming sites, block VPNs to protect themselves from cybercriminals and safeguard revenue from advertisers. This means you won’t be protected when visiting these sites.

Switch Servers

Your VPN won’t always be ready to go; sometimes, you’ll need to tweak settings, such as changing the server location, to ensure a seamless and lag-free internet experience.

Selling Of Data

Make sure to do your research when choosing a secure VPN. Some VPNs defeat the purpose by selling your data to third parties. It’s better to invest your money in a high-quality paid VPN to ensure that your data isn’t tracked by the provider.

When Should You Use A VPN?

You should use a VPN whenever you connect to the internet, ensuring your data is safe every time. But if you’re not keen to use it daily, here are four occasions when you should use a VPN:

1. When connecting to public Wi-Fi.
2. To watch geo-restricted content.
3. Remote workers should use a VPN when accessing private and sensitive work information.
4. To avoid censorship.

Is A VPN Worth Using?

Deciding if using a VPN daily is worth it depends on you. If you’re big on privacy, then it’s worth using a VPN every day. While using a VPN isn’t essential, it’s certainly a good idea. Given that cyber attacks are on the rise, you can’t discount the possibility that you might be the next victim. Keeping yourself safe from these threats is well worth the effort.

VPNs protect your data and IP address, but they also reduce the number of ads you see and give you access to geo-restricted content. While there are some drawbacks, such as speed and cost, these can be minimised if you use a trustworthy, high-quality paid VPN. It’s worth using a VPN every day to ensure your online safety.