When your computer connects to the internet, it is assigned an IP address, which is basically the logical location of your computer. Without knowing your IP address, your networking software/hardware cannot connect you to the internet. Similarly, websites will record your IP address while giving you access to their pages. If they have blocked an IP address from your country, you won’t be able to use that site from your home computer. But, does that mean you will have to avoid such informative sites that don’t entertain visitors from your country? Probably not, as you can browse those websites after using a VPN.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is basically a virtual private network technology that helps you ‘mask’ your original IP address. It means that you may be living in any part of the world, but you can use a VPN service to have a UK IP address or an IP address from another country for that matter. If you’re a hardcore internet user, you may want to consider using a VPN service to enjoy some amazing benefits. Here’s more about those benefits:

It Offers Better Privacy

As mentioned already, your IP address helps identify your computer, which also means that someone can use your address to trace your online activities. It may offer information about every website you visit, every Google search you make, the links you click, the things you purchase, and even the comments you make while using social media sites. If you don’t want others to gain access to this information and want to browse the internet more privately, you may want to consider using a VPN service.

When a VPN masks your original IP address, no one can track your activities using any loophole. It achieves this goal by sending all your traffic to a server placed in a different gateway city or country. It disguises your IP address in real-time and helps you protect your identity, location, and everything you do online.

It Helps You Stay Safe Over Public Wi-Fi

In so many cases, you have to use public Wi-Fi – you usually have to do it while at airports, cafes, or hotels. You need to understand that logging into your account without a VPN can be a bit of a risk. Understand that using a password to connect to any public Wi-Fi is not a secure way of browsing the internet either. A hacker can easily intercept your data and even read or steal your important financial information without your getting a clue about it. There are many cases where people have lost data, such as phone calls, logins, chats, emails, and passwords for not taking precautionary measures when using public Wi-Fi.

Now, the thing is that you don’t really need to avoid using public Wi-Fi, but you should seriously think of using a VPN to avoid leaving your data exposed. It will serve as a hidden tunnel and encrypt your internet traffic to ensure you keep using a public Wi-Fi connection without having to worry about becoming a victim of data theft.

vpn, address, anonymous

It Helps Access Geo-Restricted Content

Sometimes, you’re traveling to another part of the world and cannot use your account to sites like Amazon or Netflix because of geo-restrictions. Similarly, you may be in a country that is not allowed to access these sites at all. Whatever the case, you can bypass these restrictions by making use of a VPN service.

By making use of a VPN, it will become easier to spoof your IP address and bypass those geo-restricted content bans. For instance, if you’re traveling to an Asian country where they don’t offer Netflix but you already have a subscription in the UK. By using a VPN, you can use a UK IP address even when you’re physically located in China or another Asian country. You just need to pick specific servers to gain access to the content made available to the people of that country.

It Helps Circumvent Censorship

Just like dealing with geo-restrictions, a VPN service can easily help you get around censorship imposed by your country. For instance, people in China have no access to Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Similarly, Skype and many VOIP-based services are not accessible in the Middle East. You can easily evade these government-imposed bans by using a VPN service. By masking your IP, you can even use VOIP services with the utmost ease. But, keep in mind that you will have to subscribe to a VPN service before you enter a country with those censorships in place, as most VPN sites may not be accessible from that country too.

It Helps You Book Airline Tickets

Many people don’t know that they can use their VPN service to arrange less expensive travel. For instance, you can use it to hide your IP address and book tickets at lower rates. Many online travel bookers have high rates for people coming from specific geographical locations. All you have to do is use your VPN service to find an IP address from a country with a less expensive cost of living as compared to where you’re from. Sometimes, you can use the same tactics to book hotels and rental cars at more affordable prices. If you haven’t yet thought of using your VPN service for this, be sure to give it a try today.

The Bottom Line

It all boils down to the fact that using a VPN service can save you from so many problems that you might otherwise have to face while browsing the internet without a protective lawyer offered by these services. However, you should take your time when selecting a service, as you should check it for its security, speed, reliable encryption, accessibility, versatility, and of course, the ease of use. Don’t base your decision on price alone, or you might not be able to reap the amazing benefits usually associated with the use of a VPN service.