Note: [This article was written as part of an internship program focused on developing skills in Technical Writing, SEO, WordPress Content Management, Affiliate Marketing, and Advanced Content Strategies.]

In today’s age of advanced technology, VPNs are becoming popular among internet users. With increasing popularity comes high demand. You will be surprised that Top10VPN’s most recent report says, 31% of global internet users have a VPN.

All of us have heard about the uses of a VPN in different situations. It’s safe to assume our curiosity about questions like, “What is a VPN?”, “How exactly does a VPN work?”, and “Is it even safe to use a VPN?”

Let’s walk through a detailed answer to put an end to all these questions and understand the Benefits of using a VPN.

What exactly is a VPN?

VPN (Virtual Private Network) operates by creating a secure and encrypted connection between your device to a network. It makes a tunnel through which all your online activity takes place. This process maintains your online privacy, masks your IP address, and transmits your data safely.

You can surf the internet while being protected from any unauthorized intrusion. The benefit of using a VPN is that you can be stress-free, as any data exchanged between you and your server will remain encrypted, making it unreachable to potential online threats.

How VPNs Work

VPN works in a step-by-step process to provide you with safety and anonymity. Let’s learn the basics of how a VPN operates:

• Installation: First and foremost, install and log into a VPN application on your device using your credentials.
• Choosing a server: Choose a VPN from the options available in your service application. This server location is responsible for deciding your apparent IP address.
• Establishing Connection: A secure connection is initiated between your device and the VPN server of your choice by creating a tunnel.
• Scrambling your Data or Encryption: In Simple words, data sent by your device is changed into secret codes that can only be accessed using a key. This is why it cannot be read even if unauthorized parties access your data.
• Transmitting Data: Through the secure tunnel, your encrypted data travels from your device to the server. There, it is decrypted and forwarded to your desired online destination.
• Receiving Data: The data received by your VPN server is encrypted and sent back to your device through the secure tunnel.
• Decryption: At last, your VPN application decrypts the received data. This is how you surf the internet while maintaining your security and anonymity. VPN will maintain this connection until you disrupt it.

Benefits of Using a VPN

Beyond enhancing safety and security, VPNs offer many other advantages that make your online experience versatile and smooth. Let’s explore various benefits of using a VPN:

1. Enhances your Security

VPN operates by encrypting your data and keeping your online activities anonymous. This keeps you safe from any interference from hackers and cybercrimes. This advantage of VPN becomes crucial when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi as these public networks put you at risk of being tracked.

2. Provides Online Privacy and Anonymity

Since we have talked about how a VPN masks your IP address, the benefit of using a VPN is that it protects your online identity and secures your activities from being tracked by websites and advertisement agencies.

3. Bypass ISP throttling

ISPs (Internet Service Providers) can deliberately slow down (throttle) your internet speed depending on what you do online, such as torrenting or streaming. This can result in lower lower-quality internet experience. Using a VPN will mask your IP address and prevent your ISP from selectively hampering the speed of your internet connection.

Common uses of a VPN

The benefits of using a VPN include a long and versatile list that enhances online security, privacy, and accessibility in various online activities like:

1. Bypassing Censorship

Using a VPN provides access to International servers while Gaming, news sites through bypassing censorship, online forums in blocked regions, International libraries, Foreign marketplaces, and much more.

2. Bypassing Geo-Restriction

VPN provides you access to content that may be restricted in certain regions, such as streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. It also helps you unblock and access region-locked YouTube videos.

3. Avoid Price Discrimination

One of the cool benefits of using a VPN for personal use is getting lower prices when searching for:

• Flight tickets
• Hotel bookings
• Online shopping
• Subscription services
• Renting a car

You can connect to different VPN services to compare prices and secure the best deals.

4. Benefits of being anonymous

Using a VPN helps you research sensitive topics without being tracked. This comes in handy when you need to maintain anonymity while analyzing business competitors.

5. Avoid being targeted or tracked

The benefit of using a VPN is also that you can avoid targeted Ads and unnecessary disturbance by hiding your IP address.

6. Provides security to your daily life activities

We sometimes connect to public Wi-Fi at a Cafe or other public places. Connecting to a VPN keeps your data protected on Public Wi-Fi. Having a secure connection using a VPN also keeps your Online Transactions and Banking details safe.

What to look for while choosing a reliable VPN?

It can be confusing to choose a reliable VPN among so many options presented to us. Therefore, to narrow down your options, consider the following crucial factors:

1. Promising security features

Rely on VPNs that offer strong encryptions, advanced security features and follow a strict privacy policy.

3. Wide range of server location

It’s essential to choose a VPN with a wide range of server locations. More number of options provide better chances for bypassing geo-restrictions and enhancing the overall experience of the user.

4. Easy to use

The simpler it gets, the easier it is to use. Select a VPN that is user-friendly and compatible with your needs and requirements.

5. Customer support

Look for providers that offer 24/7 support. A supportive customer care service is important, especially if you face any problems.

Things to keep in mind while using a VPN

Though VPNs offer many features, it’s important to keep in mind some potential drawbacks and risk factors. This will ensure your safety and help you make informed choices.

1. VPN might reduce your Internet speed

VPNs can result in slower internet speeds. Several factors, like the process of encryption and the physical distance between your device and the VPN server, can impact your internet speed. Additionally, the quality of your VPN provider and specific encryption protocols also hampers your internet performance.

2. Cost

When choosing a VPN there are many free options available, but they offer limited features and fewer servers. On the other hand, premium VPN services come at an expense which can sometimes stress us out.

Therefore, if you choose to get a premium VPN consider some important factors like subscription plans, value for money, promotions and discounts, money-back guarantee, etc.

6. Legal Implications

In some countries and specific regions, using a VPN is outright illegal or needs to be used under strict regulations. Additionally, engaging in illegal or unethical activities like hacking or disturbing the law will result in severe penalties and punishments.

Hence, it is important to use VPN responsibly to avoid any potential negative consequences and legal issues.

7. User’s trust in VPN

Trust is a major concern when using a VPN, as the provider can monitor and potentially log all your interactions through its servers. Risk factors like data selling, government requests, and security breaches should be evaluated while choosing a reliable VPN provider.

Therefore, among the numerous VPN options, some providers have emerged at the top for their security features, trustworthy performance, and reliable policies. NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are on the list of top choices of users worldwide.

Conclusion

VPN acts as a protective shield against the rising concerns about our online safety. We are more vulnerable to online threats than ever before. VPN encrypts your internet connection and masks your IP address, keeping you safe from potential online threats and unauthorized intrusion.

The benefits of using a VPN become more significant as it helps you bypass geo-restrictions, access restricted content, get better online deals, and more.

Though using a VPN uncovers multiple benefits, it is important to be mindful while selecting a VPN provider. Considering features such as speed, server locations, user-friendliness, customer support, and cost will help you find a reliable VPN service provider that serves your needs.