Importance of Using VPN for Personal Internet Usage

Constantin Macri 28/11/2023 | 16:08

A VPN not only safeguards your online privacy by encrypting data and concealing your IP address, but it also extends various other advantages.

While security and privacy are fundamental, a VPN for browser will elevate your online interactions, boost connection speeds, and even contribute to cost savings. Let’s delve deeper into the diverse benefits a VPN offers beyond just protecting your privacy.

How Does Using a VPN Benefit You?

The benefits you may experience from a VPN will solely depend on the option you are going for. In this article, we will share a specific example of Surfshark and the features it offers.

Nonetheless, if you’re considering another option, we’d suggest you do proper research on it. After all, internet security is a serious matter and you wouldn’t want to cheap out on it.

1: Excellent Internet Security

Primarily, a VPN serves as a security measure by establishing an encrypted pathway between you and the internet. In essence, it forms a protected connection that shields you from outside risks. To enhance your security, it offers features such as the Kill Switch and Private DNS.

The Kill Switch halts your internet access in case of a VPN disconnection, preventing any exposure of sensitive information. Meanwhile, Private DNS adds an additional safeguard to your online searches and the information transmitted to websites during your visits.

2: No Risk of Internet Throttling

Your ISP (internet service provider) can, sometimes, slow down your connection speed when you are engaging in a “heavier” activity like –

  • Gaming,
  • Downloading large files, or
  • Streaming videos.

Nevertheless, using a VPN hides your online activities from your ISP, preventing them from deliberately slowing down your connection based on what you’re doing.

Remember, a VPN for browser only addresses specific types of speed throttling.

It won’t impact your connection speed if your ISP has enforced a data limit on your network or is slowing down the connection for reasons unrelated to your activities.

3: Better Privacy Protection

Privacy holds as much weight as security within the realm of VPNs.

Without a VPN, various aspects of your private data, such as search history, visited sites, interactions on those sites, and personal details like name, email, phone number, and location, are susceptible to being gathered.

With a VPN, your traffic gets encrypted, and your IP address changes, effectively mitigating these concerns. When using a VPN like Surfshark, your online activities remain hidden from both your ISP and potential malicious entities.

Moreover, Surfshark’s obfuscated servers enable you to even conceal the use of a VPN itself.

4: Unrestricted Access to Anything, Anywhere

The vast expanse of the internet might appear boundless, but its accessibility often faces constraints. Governments with stringent control censor online content for their citizens, while varying levels of limitations exist based on geographical regions.

To bypass such oppressive censorship and explore the full breadth of the World Wide Web, connecting to a VPN server proves invaluable.

Through secure encryption, it shields your online activity from prying eyes. It allows you the freedom to indulge in the internet’s vast offerings without concerns of surveillance.

Note: It’s important to note that you shouldn’t use any VPN services for unlawful activities. It is against the terms of service of almost every organization. Thus, you might end up getting entangled in a web of legal issues. Be careful.

5: Protection on Whatever Device You are Using

A well-designed VPN, such as Surfshark, provides unlimited simultaneous connections and compatibility across all major platforms. There’s no necessity to keep track of your devices; you can use the VPN on your iPhone, Android, PC, or Mac all at once.

Alternatively, you have the option to configure the VPN directly on your router. This secures every device linked to your home network without requiring additional app installations or multiple connections to set up.

6: Smoother and More Efficient Online Experience

Certain VPN providers excel in delivering not just security but also an enjoyable browsing experience. Take Surfshark, for instance.

Their Clean Web feature not only ensures security but also blocks intrusive ads, safeguards against malware and phishing attempts, and eliminates bothersome cookie pop-ups.

What’s even better is that these features are all part of their standard plan, so there are no additional costs involved.

7: Safer Online Gaming

Engaging in online gaming could potentially compromise your online privacy.

Several games either inadequately shield or completely expose your IP address, leaving you susceptible to various risks.

Some might even request network configurations that inadvertently open you up to DDoS attacks. Employing a VPN while gaming conceals your IP address and secures vulnerable ports, effectively safeguarding you against privacy breaches and potential DDoS threats.

Is There Anything You Need to be Concerned about?

Using a VPN can, sometimes, be a little disadvantageous. However, most of these issues tend to be quite minor. So, you don’t really have to worry about it much.

1: Reduction in Connection Speed

Using a VPN to counter ISP throttling might lead to a slight reduction in your connection speed during non-throttled times.

This occurs because data travels through a VPN server and undergoes encryption before reaching its final destination on the internet.

Upon reaching the destination, the data travels back to the VPN server for decryption before reaching your device.

The impact on speed hinges on factors such as the distance between you and the server and the server’s congestion. Opting for a premium VPN and connecting to a local server typically results in a speed drop of around 10-15%. However, connecting to a server located thousands of miles away might yield a more noticeable speed decrease.

To preserve the speed of specific apps, split-tunneling can be employed. This feature allows selected apps to utilize your connection speed without going through the VPN.

It’s commonly used for running secure apps like banking services or excluding data-heavy applications such as YouTube or Netflix from the VPN protection.

2: The Overall Pricing

For a truly secure and private online experience, investing in a premium VPN is essential. However, not all VPN subscriptions come with the same price tag.

Surfshark, for example, offers plans for as low as $2.49 per month, while others may charge more than double that amount.

It’s crucial to research and take your time before committing to a VPN to avoid overpaying.

Yes, there are quite a few free VPNs available out there. However, their overall security level is quite low. The user experience tends to be quite poor too.

Free VPNs often suffer from slow connection speeds due to high user traffic, bombard users with excessive ads, and in some instances, have been found to collect and sell user data.

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