There are a lot of features people to choose a VPN over direct connection. Here are a few of the most commonly used ones:
1. Unlock content
Let’s suppose you live in Germany but want to watch a show on Hulu. Or, let’s say you are on holiday in Italy, but want to watch a series available only in the American version of Netflix. Without a VPN, you will not be able to access the website.
However, with a VPN, you can change your geographic location to make it look like you are in USA.
Also, a VPN can help you unlock other types of websites that authorities or internet service providers might block. For example, in China, you can not access Facebook, Gmail or Youtube without a VPN due to the Great Chinese Firewall.
Some countries are blocking torrent websites to prevent illicit activity, but a VPN can help you access them.
A VPN is also useful in schools or high schools, where certain websites are blocked.
Unlocking content is probably the most popular reason why users are using VPNs nowadays.
2. Hide the IP address
In the same way that a VPN can unlock content, it can also hide your IP address. Your IP address is similar to your home address, but it’s for your device.
The IP changes according to the server you are connecting to.
When you connect to a VPN, your IP address is hidden behind the VPN server so nobody can see your real location.
3. Save money
Did you know that websites are pricing their services according to the country you are accessing their website from?
It’s true. If you want to buy a flight or book a hotel, you can save an important amount of money by changing your IP address.
4. Encrypt data
VPNs are hard to decipher, but not impossible. Encrypting your information is extremely useful, so if someone intercepts your connection, the information will not be compromised.
Data encryption protects you from an insecure connection. So if you want to use public WiFi, the VPN is handy.
5. Helps torrenting
There are two ways a VPN can help you torrent. The first is that it can unlock torrent sites. Torrenting is not illegal, but the unloading of copyrighted material is. For this reason, some are wondering if VPNs are legal.
How to choose a VPN?
Now that you know everything about VPNs, how do you choose the right one? We provide some information below.
There are over 300 VPNs available on the market now, but not all are the same.
Here’s what you should look for on a VPN:
1. Speed
If you want to watch shows and movies, you need a high-speed VPN.
2. Number of servers
The more servers there are, the more locations there are. Although you probably do not need a VPN in Uzbekistan, having servers located in different locations is very important.
In addition, multiple servers available mean fewer users are connected to each of them. If you have a VPN with only 11 servers, all users will connect to one of those servers.
3. Bandwidth and unlimited data traffic
Although there are many things you can do with 1GB of data, they will end pretty soon. It’s best to find a VPN that offers unlimited data and bandwidth, so you can play, post, and download everything you want.
4. Unlock content
If you want to use a VPN to watch Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer, then you need a VPN that can access these websites. Many streaming services restrict VPNs to prevent users from playing the content. You need a VPN that has servers in the US, a country that Netflix does not restrict.
5. Security
Security is the only feature that can not be overlooked. It is essential that the VPN has high encryption, strong protocols, and a policy of not retaining logs. Unfortunately, not all VPNs have it (especially free ones).