Introduction
Nowadays, accessing the web using VPNs is something that is getting more popular than ever. Virtual Private Networks are private networks that enable users to send and receive data across public networks in such a way as if their device was directly connected to the private network. They mask your Internet Protocol (IP) address so your online actions are virtually untraceable. Most importantly, it establishes secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy than even a secured Wi-Fi hotspot.
However, not all VPNs are the same. Each one comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of using a Virtual Private Network:
Pros of Using a VPN:
Bypasses Geo-blocks to Access Blocked Content
While browsing the internet, have you ever come across a site which said that its content was blocked or unavailable in your area? Or was there some app you weren’t able to install because it wasn’t available in your country? That is what geo-restrictions mean. An example of this can be Netflix, which provides certain content in selected locations only.
Bypassing these geo-blocks is one of the most common reasons why people use VPNs. According to an infographic, 48% of users employ them because they want to get access to sites that are restricted in their region. It enables them to bypass those restrictions by making it appear as if they were accessing the Internet from some other location.
Hides Online Identity
Anyone can know your personal details and monitor your online activities with your IP Address. However, a Virtual Private Network can change your IP Address and encrypt online traffic. It makes sure that nobody can track your digital footprints or snoop on your online traffic.
Saves Money and is Affordable
Not only you can get free access to content worldwide, but using a VPN can also save you some money while using e-com websites. For instance, a product which is expensive in your country might be available for a cheaper price in some other country. Also, you can easily afford to use premium VPN benefits at no more than a few bucks per month.
Secures Online Connections
Most people use WiFi on a daily basis, but they don’t know that it might be unsecured and could leak their personal data like credit card details or login credentials. However, using a VPN can prevent that. It encrypts your online activity and makes sure that nobody can monitor your actions.
Bypasses Firewalls
Some schools and universities put a firewall on certain websites to prevent access. These firewalls can be bypassed with the help of VPNs since it changes your IP Address to one which does not have any restrictions.
Prevents Bandwidth Throttling
Bandwidth throttling means when your ISP limits your bandwidth and lowers your internet speed. They do it to improve their service by getting rid of network congestion. However, sometimes they also do that to make you purchase expensive data plans. In that case, you can use a VPN to encrypt all your traffic. As a result, your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re doing online. They won’t know if you’re using too much bandwidth. Therefore, they won’t be able to throttle it.
Secures Torrenting
Torrenting can enable strangers to see your country and city and even your ZIP code. Using a VPN, you can prevent that and ensure that your privacy is protected. Further, you can make downloads anonymously with the help of a VPN. However, you should never use VPNs for illegal downloads.
Cons of Using a VPN:
Lowers Internet Speed
A VPN can encrypt your online activity to ensure anonymity and security. However, stronger encryption naturally takes more time and resources. As a result, it can affect your Internet connection speed. And nobody has the time and patience to sit around waiting for websites to load or for streaming content to finish buffering. This is the most common issue which users face while using free VPN services.
Puts Privacy in Danger if Unreliable
People use VPN to keep their private details safe. However, if they are using a service that is not trustworthy, they can end up in trouble. Some services normally don’t offer properly configured encryption and they might even expose you to malware. There is also a chance that your VPN provider might keep logs about your online activities, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
Moreover, if the connection drops all of a sudden, your real IP address will be exposed and you will no longer be anonymous.
Fails Against Strong Anti-VPN Softwares
These days, most of the popular websites have started using Anti-VPN Softwares. For example, Netflix is trying to combat VPNs with VPN blockers and it is very difficult to access its content using a VPN. With these software getting stronger, it has become almost impossible to access everything you want to.
Can be Difficult to Configure
If you are new to using VPNs and do not have much technical knowledge, then you can face difficulty while setting up a VPN service. If you make any mistake during configuration, it can make your private data vulnerable to hackers and other kinds of online threats.
Quality VPNs are Costly
Clearly, VPNs are not absolutely reliable when it comes to privacy. However, some providers ensure that your data stays safe but they can cost a lot. That can be a problem for you if you don’t want to spend too much.
Not Supported by all Devices
While VPN applications can be easily installed on popular platforms like Windows and macOS, there are certain devices and operating systems that do not support them like Linux, Chromebook, or Boxee Box. In that case, you will have to manually set up a VPN on that device or operating system.
Conclusion
Considering the advantages, we can see that using a VPN can be highly beneficial. The only catch is that you need to keep the disadvantages in mind and do proper research. Find out exactly what you are looking for, use it smartly, and you are good to go.
