8 Reasons Casual Internet Use Still Needs A VPN

Almost everyone who has a general understanding of what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is will tell you that you need it to protect your privacy and security on the internet. A good VPN functions by creating an encrypted connection between you and a virtual private network server. This encryption allows you to surf the internet safely without others seeing what you do or tracking your location whenever you’re online.  

A Quick Note On Free VPNs And Data Logging 

Not all VPNs are created equal; some are definitely better than others. When choosing a VPN, one of the very obvious yet fundamental qualities you should look for is the security it offers.  

Any VPN that’s free is probably not worth its name, at least in most circumstances. They’re usually the type of VPNs that log your data and are therefore unreliable. You’re looking for a VPN that doesn’t log your data and, through that restriction, can safeguard it against leaks and attacks.  

Some free VPNs will just log ‘unimportant’ data, such as which sites you’re visiting, how much time you spend on these sites, or what time you visit these sites. Do all these seem like random and useless data? Not quite, since there are companies that capitalize on data that allows them to track your internet usage. These companies usually end up buying this data from your free service provider.  

If such data is going to be stored and transacted without your knowledge to a third party without your knowledge and consent, then the entire point of getting a VPN is defeated. Since not every VPN will do what it’s supposed to, then you’re going to need to visit trusted platforms like inVPN that help you choose the right VPN for your specific needs.  

But what are these needs? If you’re reading this and thinking this must be stuff only tech geeks can benefit from, you might have to think again. There are various practical ways in which a VPN can be useful to just any regular internet user.

Reasons To Get A VPN For Casual Internet Use

Take a look at these eight reasons why even casual internet users need a VPN: 

1. You Can Access The Video Content That You Like From Anywhere In The World 

Some streaming services limit their streaming content to certain geographical locations. So, if you’re leaving your country and going halfway across the world on a trip for work or vacation, you might have to say goodbye to your favorite videos and shows.  

Travelling doesn’t have to come with such sacrifices at all. Your entertainment should be able to travel with you wherever you go, and it can if you consider accessing the internet through a VPN. Your VPN will connect you to a home server that will make your streaming service think you’re still in your country and, therefore, can stream any content that you usually have access to. 

This option is also helpful for people who want to watch shows only available in other regions. It removes all the borders from your streaming access and allows you to enjoy entertainment from all around the globe.

2. Ensures The Security Of Your Connection In Public Places 

Perhaps you hang out in a number of public places that have an internet connection regularly. You should be aware of how dangerous it can be to access the internet through public Wi-Fi. You’ll be opening yourself up to different types of cyberattacks so much that, most of the time, free internet access is ultimately not worth all the associated risks. All the information you send while using that connection, even if you’re using a personal device when you send the information, is vulnerable to online criminals. They have sophisticated software to fish for unprotected data.   

A good way around that, if you still want or need to use all the free Wi-Fi available to you, is to use a secure VPN. It will block out these criminals by helping you be less visible and traceable on the web. 

3. Helps Secure Your Online Banking 

One of the most targeted parts of your online presence is, of course, your banking information. A lot of cyber hackers will foremost be looking for ways to access your bank accounts. You, on the other hand, will have to make sure that the data that can give anyone this kind of access is as secure as possible. However, a lot of the information that you use when accessing the internet is at risk of being picked up by cybercriminals.  

Using a VPN will give you peace of mind that your information has that extra layer of security when you use it over the internet.  

4. Secures Your Online Shopping 

Not every site that you visit has sufficient safety protocols in place to protect your personal data. Certainly, not every site you use to shop online has these protocols, which exposes you to a lot of risks.  

Of course, there are things you can watch out for, like checking if the site has a lock icon on your browser. If it does, you can almost rest assured that your data is being protected using standard safety protocols. But you might miss this fundamental security check in the rush of things and access an unsecured site while shopping online, thus leaving your personal data and credit card information exposed to malicious individuals. All this could translate to a disaster if you’re not using VPN. 

5. Gets Rid Of Safety-Anxiety When Using Airport Wi-Fi 

It’s very convenient that most airports offer free Wi-Fi. After all, you’re likely to be waiting for connecting flights at least a few times while you travel. If you find yourself waiting for a flight at an airport, you’ll find that public Wi-Fi very handy. It can be especially challenging to figure out your carrier’s rates for data roaming.  

But before you jump right into entering your precious data and passwords, it’s best for you to get a VPN first. A VPN will help you enormously as airports are common targets for identity theft. It only makes sense because it’s one of the places where strangers from all walks of life are crammed up under one roof. Cybercriminals are likely to be on the prowl. Getting a VPN will ensure that you stay secure online even in one of the most dangerous places to access the internet from, like airports. 

6. Unblocks Social Media Sites 

Some of the most censored sites are social media sites and this censoring is usually geo-locked, which makes it only effective in specified locations. So, if you expect to visit a highly censored country or location that might block the territory’s access to certain social media platforms, you can easily unlock it through VPN.  

Remember how a VPN will establish an encrypted connection to a home server in a country with unlimited internet access? This is how it allows you to access sites like Facebook and Instagram even if they’re blocked. No matter the internet restrictions of the areas you visit, you can still maintain your connection and contact with family and friends back home. 

7. Protect Your Anonymity When Surveying To Compare Prices 

If you’ve ever experienced finding a hotel room costing a certain amount at first only to find that it ridiculously hiked a few moments later, then you have witnessed the effects of being tracked online.  

The difference in prices may have been significant enough that you’ve wondered just how such an increase was possible in a matter of a few hours or days. Each time you visit a site looking for a good hotel room, airfare, or car rental, your activity on these sites is likely being tracked automatically. Companies that track your online activities can use the data on your search queries and recently visited sites against you.  

There’s a great need for anonymity in the cyberspace. With a VPN, coupled with a browser that has the right privacy settings (anti-tracking settings, for instance), you’re able to move from site to site anonymously and can compare prices without fearing that your online activity will be used against you.

8. Play Games Over A Faux LAN

Remember those computer games that you used to love so much but had to stop playing because the developer shut down its online servers? Using a VPN can make it seem as if you and the friend you want to play with are on the same network. This will allow you to play local area network (LAN) games on the internet.  

You can use the same method to play old game consoles, such as the original Xbox and PlayStation 2, which work through LAN but are no longer supported online.  

Conclusion 

If you’ve been wondering what practical ways you, as a casual internet user, can benefit from using a VPN, then this article should have given you compelling reasons to consider signing up for a reliable provider. A VPN is one of the most secure ways to safeguard your personal data and identity on the internet. You deserve all the comfort and peace of mind you can get while you surf the web.