The Ultimate List of Pros and Cons of Using a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a reliable, secure way to stay safe online. Whether you’re handling sensitive transactions or you’re just browsing the internet, we always recommend using a VPN when going online. If you’re new to advanced online security, you may not know why you should consider a VPN for both personal and business use and what some of the drawbacks might be.
To help you decide if a VPN is right for your everyday internet needs, here is our ultimate list of pros and cons.
Pros
We believe that everyone should be using a VPN when connecting to the internet, whether that’s at home or at work. Let’s take a look at the top pros for using a VPN and why a it’s so important for your overall browsing experience.
1. Privacy
First and foremost, a VPN is going to keep your internet traffic and your personal data private from unwanted eyes. When you launch the VPN software on your computer, your information is encrypted before your device connects to the internet.
That encrypted data is then passed through a remote server owned by the VPN service provider. When that happens, a new IP address is assigned to your internet traffic before being sent to the destination website. When the website receives your information, the only thing it will see is the information that was provided by the VPN server that is masking your personal identifying information.
2. Security
With enhanced online privacy comes greater security. It’s much harder for a hacker to access your information when your internet connection is passed through a VPN. If you connect to a public internet source and don’t use a VPN when browsing, hackers can very easily intercept your information, which can lead to serious issues and financial loss.
3. Unlock Content
Most of the content on your favorite streaming sites is available based on your location. What is available in one country may not be available in another. When you use a VPN, your location information is assigned by the server that you’re connecting to. For example, if you live in the United States and connect to a server in Sweden, the website you’re connecting to will read your location as Sweden. That means you have the potential to access content from around the world that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.
4. Affordability
VPN services are relatively inexpensive, meaning it won’t cost a lot to stay safe and secure online. With some providers offering free plans with limited data caps, you can be sure there’s a service out there that will fit your budget.
Cons
There are some cons you should consider when deciding which VPN service is right for you. While the security and privacy alone outweigh the cons listed here, it’s always important to know some of the drawbacks of using a VPN while making your decision.
1. Slower Internet Connection
The biggest con when it comes to using a VPN is that you’ll more than likely notice a reduction in your internet speeds. There are some services that may actually improve your internet speed, but don’t expect it. Connecting to a server on another continent adds to the amount of time it takes for your connection to reach the destination site.
2. Connections Can Drop
Your connection to the VPN can drop at any time, so it’s important to look for a service that has a built-in killswitch. With a killswitch, your internet connection is cut as soon as your connection to the network is cut, meaning your information stays safe and secure.
No matter what you’re doing online, you should do everything you can to stay safe and keep your private information secure. A VPN is the best way to protect your sensitive information online, and even with a slower internet connection speed, you’ll have a much better browsing experience knowing you won’t need to worry about your personal information getting into the wrong hands.
