In theory, anyone with a browser has full access to internet content. In practice, as soon as you encounter the “This video is not available in your country. Sorry about that” screen, you’ll realize this is not the case.
So, you’ve encountered an obstacle, but no matter how tall the wall, there’s usually a way around it. With the use of a VPN, you get just that.
VPN (virtual private network) is a point-to-point tunnel that masks your IP and lets you emulate a different address and location. From the start, it’s clear that this opens up many interesting options.
While this type of software has grown more popular over the past years, many people still haven’t tried it for themselves. This is a shame, really, since VPN is easy to set up and even easier to use. Here’s why you should change this as early as today.
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Accessing geo-restricted content
What if we told you that you can’t watch The Office on Netflix if you’re in the USA? It’s not that Netflix has no right to office; you could still watch it in other countries. You pay the same subscription and can’t watch the show they stream. It sucks, right? Well, with VPN, you can easily bypass this geo-restriction.
There are also some video games (even big names like Ragnarok Online II and PUBG that you can’t play in some regions). Some might argue that this is just entertainment, but you should be entitled to it if you’re willing to pay for the service.
Some people, under these conditions, resort to piracy. It’s even hard to blame them, especially if they’re already paying for these streaming services or honestly intend to do so. So, in a way, you could say that using VPN helps you avoid intrusive thoughts of resorting to piracy.
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Keeping your privacy
The majority of people use VPNs to increase their level of privacy online. With VPN, your traffic is harder to track. Your IP is near-impossible to discover, and your online activities generally are more anonymous.
If you have any decent antivirus software installed, it probably warned you about being exposed to trackers. Most decent and honest websites warn visitors that others may track their activity.
The most astounding thing is just how easy it is to get started. All you need to do is look through some of the best VPN services available and identify one you like best. From this point, you need to register an account, download the software, and you can start using it in a matter of minutes.
While this will work passively in the background, it will also give you peace of mind.
This is especially important for people who handle banking apps and other important financial assets online.
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Working remotely
If you’re working from home for an international firm, you may have trouble accessing some essential digital assets. With the help of a VPN, you can make all these troubles disappear.
Imagine a scenario where you’re a remote worker, potentially not a native speaker, working under a persona. Admitting to a client or a partner that you can’t access a platform due to regional restrictions would blow your cover. Sure, you could come up with an elaborate lie that you’re actually an expat; however, the more complex the lie, the less likely it will stick.
Companies that work partially remotely usually hold hybrid events. This can be a great way to attend without breaking the bank.
Another thing worth mentioning is that sharing files while using VPN is safer. When handling sensitive company data, this becomes a huge priority.
Even if you are not working under a persona, even if you are not trying to access some geo-locked platforms, you might still want to remain anonymous. Why have trackers from your work-related activities kept tabs on you during your day off?
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Handling research
Sometimes, if the content is geo-restricted, you won’t be able to access vital information required for your research. Let’s say that you’re trying to make a budget for your next trip abroad. Booking sites may provide different information based on geolocation.
It’s not unheard of that sites will charge you more or less based on your location for the same product service. So, you might want to use a VPN to see if that’s the case.
Then, we already mentioned that some content’s locked based on your location. So, what if you need to see that content to make reviews? In fact, whole sites are locked based on your location, and being unable to access them may be a huge obstacle in your research.
Lastly, even if it’s just about curiosity, it’s still worth pointing out. Sometimes, you just want to know what’s on the other side of the fence. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
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Saving money
As previously mentioned, services, retailers, and venues in the hospitality industry can charge you differently for the same product. There’s no reason why you would agree to that.
You can simply use VPN to check how you can get the cheapest product and then buy it at this price. This is like making money from thin air because you get the same product and pay less.
Also, imagine a scenario where you’re paying for a streaming service, and they do not support that show in your region. What should you do? Pay for another streaming service, or just start using VPN. The latter method will allow you to watch it using a servyou’re already paying for. It saves you from double expenses.
Then again, it’s entirely possible that you’re not getting overcharged, and we’re just blowing this out of proportion. Even in this scenario, the simplest way to check this is to use VPN to find out. It takes you just a few seconds to find out, and you can rest assured that you didn’t overpay.
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Bypassing censorship
In some areas of the world, getting alternative information is nearly impossible. Government censorship is often strong, and even media outlets sometimes restrict their sensitive content in some areas of the world. By using VPN, you can go around this.
You can’t be a cynic and assume that everyone lies, but a dose of skepticism can sometimes be a healthy thing. Watch some news from a couple of contrasting sources and try to make an image of these puzzle pieces.
You don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist to want to hear an alternative take on a certain topic. Being informed is generally positive; sometimes, VPN is the best way to get there. As we’ve already said, it doesn’t take much time and effort to start using it.
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Piracy and torrenting
Previously, we took a strong stance against piracy; however, torrenting is not strictly speaking illegal. There are some files that you can completely legally upload and download. For instance, an open-source file or material that’s a subject of the public domain. If the owner has given their permission (in any way), you can completely legally torrent it. The action of torrenting itself is not illegal.
Still, let’s be completely honest for a minute and acknowledge that piracy is what most people use it for.
We do not condone behavior in any way. Still, if you’re ever in a situation where you absolutely have to download data this way, the only way to stay safe and protect your identity is via VPN.
The benefits of using a VPN are huge, and there’s no justifiable reason to avoid it
With the help of a VPN, you can take full advantage of the power of the internet. No more walls, no more restrictions. You also get more anonymity and higher security, a major concern for anyone browsing the internet. Finally, you get to save money, work more efficiently, and get more options in every situation.
To top it all off, setting up VPN is as simple as it gets. The process takes minutes, and you can turn it on in seconds. There’s no reason to avoid it.
