A VPN is a "tunnel" that masks your Internet
connection and your location when you browse the net. It's also one of the most
useful tools you'll ever add to your computer. So what makes VPN so great? Here
are five reasons it's worth it to buy a
VPN:
1. Protect your privacy – The biggest reason to buy a VPN is
simply to protect your privacy. When you use a VPN, your Internet connection is
routed through a secure third-party server, usually in a different country than
where you are located. That means that the websites you browse cannot see your
true IP address and they do not know where you are browsing from. This is the
ultimate Internet privacy protection because sites simply cannot know who you
are. The best VPN networks have layers of built-in encryption to further block
monitoring.
2. To unblock websites – One of the most useful parts of using a
VPN is appearing to be from a different country than you really are. This can
allow you to unblock websites that are blocked on geographic grounds. It can
also allow you to see the "local" version of a site that would
otherwise redirect you to a different page. Both of these capabilities can be
extremely valuable, especially if you are browsing U.S. sites from outside the
U.S.
3. To take full advantage of your paid subscriptions – VPN is also
useful for travelers while they are abroad. For example, if you have a
subscription to HBO's streaming service or Pandora, those subscriptions work
inside the U.S., but not if you are traveling abroad. By using VPN, you can
access them from "within" the U.S. and get full access to the content
you legally paid for.
4. To get guaranteed security – All of the above factors are great
reasons to use a VPN in general. But why bother buying a VPN, instead of using
a free VPN? One of the biggest reasons is security. When you use a VPN, you're
trusting the service to encrypt and anonymize your connection, come free of
spyware and protect your privacy. You should go with a paid service where you are the customer, not the product –
one that has positive outside reviews. Many paid VPNs will add additional
security features such as better encryption, a virtual firewall, or both.
5. For a more reliable VPN – Ultimately, one of the biggest
advantages of a paid VPN is reliability. Buy a VPN that offers unlimited
bandwidth, unlimited server switching, and no speed limits. It should guarantee
consistent connections and work virtually 100% of the time.
What draws you to VPN?