Is using a VPN difficult?
Not at all! VPNs are incredibly simple to use; you simply activate the program you have chosen, wait for it to connect, then browse the internet as you normally would. All you have to do is wait 30 seconds or so for a secure connection to be established and you’re good to go. Websites will still look the same and you’ll be able to browse as normal, only with additional privacy and encryption benefits courtesy of your VPN.
Are VPNs only available for desktops?
No; you can use a VPN with any internet connection, so there’s plenty of options available for mobile browsing as well as desktop options.
What can I use a VPN for?
Streaming TV and movies.
VPNs are a great choice that helps to negate geoblocking; i.e. when you try to view a TV show or movie that is only available in another country. As your IP address is hidden, any sites you visit will not be able to apply geoblocking. This means, for example, you’ll be able to use the UK’s BBC iPlayer service from the US.
Torrenting
Provided you are careful to only torrent files that have been shared with the copyright holder’s content, torrenting is a fast, efficient way of obtaining large files online. VPNs help to keep your torrenting as private as possible, and ensure that you are torrent with maximum privacy from government monitoring.
Music Streaming
As with TV shows and movies, some music streaming services are only available in specific locations. A VPN allows you to work around this geoblocking so you can access a range of different services from all over the world.
Watching Sports
Due to the restrictions of sports streaming services, it can sometimes be difficult to access the matches that you want. A VPN allows you to overcome these blocks and ensure you never miss a match from your favourite team. When watching sports, VPNs can also help to ensure the connection you receive is of high quality, so you’re able to catch every moment of the game in HD.
Should I get a VPN?
Ultimately, this is a very personal decision, but ask yourself:
- Do you want to be able to view the internet in complete anonymity?
- Do you want to be able to access internet sites and features, such as TV shows and sports, that you would otherwise be geoblocked out of?
- Do you want to be sure that all the information you’re sending online is securely encrypted to protect against hackers and data breaches?
- Do you want to be confident about using the internet securely across all of your devices?
If you answer any of the above questions with a “yes”, then there’s a good chance that a VPN is going to be a good choice for you.