Is a VPN worth it? When and why should you pay for one

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Undoubtedly, using a VPN is highly recommended if you prioritize online privacy. A VPN or virtual private network is a necessary tool to safeguard your data from unwanted interference by hackers, ISPs, and other prying eyes, allowing you to surf the web with actual privacy, even on public Wi-Fi. It uses encryption to protect your data from being traced by hackers and other snoopers. By hiding your IP address, a VPN makes it difficult to track your online activities. If you want to know more about the importance of a VPN and why it is worth the investment, read on.

Five reasons you need a VPN

You might be wondering whether you need a virtual private network (VPN) or not. The answer is yes, because a premium VPN can improve your cybersecurity and safeguard your privacy. With a VPN, your device can access the internet more securely, and it also reduces the amount of personal information you reveal while browsing. Let’s delve deeper into why you should use a VPN by exploring these five reasons.

1. Protects you while you’re using a public Wifi

When you are away from home, it is common to use public Wi-Fi networks in places such as cafes, airports, and other public areas. Unfortunately, these networks can be hazardous as cybercriminals can establish fake public networks and use them to infect your device with malware and obtain your personal information.

These criminals often leave their network open and give it an innocent-sounding name to attract unwary users. Once you connect to their network, they can intercept your emails, login credentials, credit card information, and other sensitive data.

However, the good news is that you can use a VPN to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi. By establishing an encrypted tunnel for your data, a VPN ensures that no intruders can see what you are doing online. If you happen to connect to a fake hotspot, all the criminal can see is meaningless code, making your data secure and safe.

2. Provide access to blocked websites

By-passing website restrictions is possible with a VPN. Sometimes, based on your location or in authoritarian countries, certain websites are inaccessible. A VPN can come to your aid in this regard. When you connect to a VPN, you obtain a new IP address, which can be from a different location.

For instance, if you live in a region where certain websites are blocked, connecting to a server in another country with a VPN can give you unrestricted access to the internet. Some VPN services even offer obfuscated servers that can dodge intense censorship and cloak your VPN usage.

3. It enhances your online privacy

Various entities such as your internet service provider (ISP), data brokers, and advertisers gather your personal data every time you use the internet, including your search history, visited websites, and even your devices. These companies then utilize this information to create in-depth consumer profiles that they can sell to other parties.

If the notion of someone continuously monitoring your online activities makes you uneasy, using a VPN can help. By routing your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, a VPN makes it impossible for anyone to monitor your online activities.

One of the most significant advantages of using a VPN is that it changes your IP address, which makes it extremely difficult for snoopers to track your online activity. As everything you do is encrypted, your ISP won’t be able to monitor your browsing history. If you want to protect your online privacy and avoid being monitored, investing in a high-quality VPN is the answer.

4. Prevent Bandwidth Throttling

There are times when you might experience slower internet speeds than what you are paying for. This could be caused by your internet service provider (ISP) intentionally slowing down your connection, which is known as bandwidth throttling. This is often done to limit data usage during peak hours or to promote alternative services.

If you’re tired of being at the mercy of your ISP’s throttling tactics, a VPN can help. By encrypting your internet traffic, a VPN makes it impossible for your ISP to monitor your online activities and decide which services to throttle. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy faster internet speeds and avoid buffering while streaming videos.

However, keep in mind that a VPN won’t be able to protect you if your ISP enacts sweeping throttling measures across an entire area. Nevertheless, a VPN can still be a useful tool in preventing targeted throttling of your internet connection.

5. Improves your gaming experience

Playing games online can be extremely competitive, and some players may resort to unethical means to gain an edge. One such method is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, which involves flooding your network with traffic from multiple infected devices, leading to slow internet connection and lag, ruining the gaming experience.

Game developers are also affected by DDoS attacks as they can result in revenue losses. Using a VPN while gaming can mitigate this issue.

How does a VPN help? DDoS attacks typically target your IP address, but with a VPN, your IP address is changed, making it difficult for attackers to cause any harm. By connecting to a VPN server, any potential attack will be directed towards the server instead of your own network, ensuring uninterrupted online gaming.

Tips for choosing a VPN service

Here are some things to look for when choosing a VPN service:

Strong security measures: Look for a VPN that uses strong encryption, security protocols, and a kill switch to protect your online activity.
Strict privacy policy: Choose a VPN provider that does not log your online activity or traffic passing through their servers.
Additional features: Consider VPN services that offer extra features like threat protection, private DNS, split tunneling, and obfuscated servers.
Positive user ratings and reviews: Ensure that the VPN service has good ratings and reviews from reliable sources.
Transparent pricing: Choose a paid VPN service that clearly outlines its pricing plans and features, and avoid free VPNs that may log and share your data with third parties.
No restrictive data caps: Beware of data caps or other restrictions in free VPNs, and opt for paid VPNs that offer unlimited features and regular updates without pressuring you to pay extra.

How much should a VPN cost?

When it comes to the cost of a VPN, there are multiple factors to consider, including:

Number of simultaneous connections
Server fleet size and diversity
Quality of performance
Streaming and torrenting capabilities
Availability of customer support
Subscription duration

It’s important to note that a reliable VPN provider will always offer a reasonable price in relation to the quality of their service. Therefore, it’s crucial to take both factors into account when selecting a VPN. For instance, top-rated VPNs such as NordVPN or Surfshark provide high-quality protection at a reasonable cost. NordVPN starts at $3.29/month, while Surfshark is even cheaper, with a starting price of $2.30/month. On average, a VPN costs around $3.90/month.

Moreover, we regularly update our limited-time offers for premium VPNs that are available at exclusive prices. Therefore, even the most expensive VPNs can be obtained for a fraction of the original cost.

So, is a VPN worth it?

In short, having a premium VPN is always worth it. If you value your online privacy and security, it’s recommended to use a VPN. When you use a VPN, your online activity is hidden behind an encrypted connection. You can use a VPN at home or in a business environment, where employees need to remotely access resources in a secure way.

A VPN creates a private network for your device by routing your online traffic through a VPN server. This makes it difficult for anyone to view your IP address, and any data being transmitted will be encrypted, making it difficult for anyone to spy on your online activities, such as when using unsecured Wi-Fi.

Why should you not use free VPN?

Using a VPN is a great way to safeguard your online security and protect yourself from hackers. Unfortunately, some free VPNs may actually install malware on your devices, which can pose a serious security risk. In addition, some free VPNs may sell your data to third-party companies for targeted advertising purposes, which can compromise your privacy.

Furthermore, free VPNs typically have limitations, such as limited data usage and device coverage, and outdated security measures due to lack of investment. However, some paid VPNs offer free versions or free trials that provide similar features and security benefits as their premium plans.

To make sure you choose a reliable and secure VPN, it’s important to consider the differences between free and paid VPN services. Check out our guide on this topic for more information.

Bottom Line

Investing in a premium VPN service is highly beneficial because it provides a secure and private way of browsing the internet. It enables you to safeguard your online activities while using public Wi-Fi, prevents hackers and internet service providers from snooping on you, and even allows you to access geo-restricted content while traveling.