Nowadays, not only large companies enjoy all the usage of the best VPN services. More and more common internet users are discovering their positive effects for themselves. In this article, you will find out about core VPN advantages and disadvantages.

What is a VPN?

The abbreviation VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network“. It is a secure connection that connects a VPN client installed on your computer. All the data and requests that the client sends to the Internet are first routed to the VPN server, encrypted, and then transmitted to the web. The data that is sent back is also first received by the server, encrypted, and then sent to the client. The VPN client then decrypts it again.

So, in this way, your IP address is disguised, and the one of a VPN server is displayed instead, and additionally, all your online activities remain hidden.

Why should you use a VPN?

1. More data protection on the Internet

The first positive effect is evident if you know what a VPN is good for. In all online activities, we leave behind a multitude of traces. Online services collect user data to display personalized advertising or even pass it on to third parties. And finally, there are plenty of cybercriminals who are after your personal information.

With a VPN, you won’t be 100% protected from data theft and tracking, but you can significantly improve your security. You can even hide your online activities from your Internet service provider. Moreover, you can protect yourself from possible bandwidth throttling.

2. Firewalls can no longer stop you

There are local firewalls and country-level firewalls. For example, local firewalls are used at universities or workplaces, so it’s not possible to access sites like YouTube or other entertainment sites from there. Country-level firewalls ensure that the population of certain countries cannot access the Internet freely. The most prominent example of this is probably the “Great Wall of China”. But other countries, such as Turkey, Iraq, and Dubai, also use firewalls to prevent people from surfing the web without restrictions. With a VPN, both types of firewalls can be easily bypassed.

3. More security in public networks

For some people, they are simply convenient, and others are downright dependent on them: public Wi-Fi networks. These days, you can use free Wi-Fi in just about any store, restaurant, or public transportation system. But this doesn’t just have positive effects. This means that you should only use public hotspots when necessary. If you have no other choice, you should use a VPN to protect your data, even in such a network. Remember that criminals are always on the lookout for ways to steal personal data.

4. A practical tool for gamers

If you like to play online, a VPN is an excellent tool for you. It allows you to play games that are unavailable in your country by choosing a server from another country. Furthermore, a VPN is also good protection against DDoS attacks since attackers do not know your IP address.

5. Unlimited access to geo-restricted content

Some content on the Internet is not accessible to everyone due to geo-restrictions. A VPN allows you to move your virtual location to the country from which you want to see local search results, for example. Or, during your next trip around the world, give you access to your home media libraries that would otherwise be denied to you due to your foreign IP address.

Does a VPN also have disadvantages?

As with most things in life, there are not only positive sides to VPN use. At times, there can be undesirable effects as well.

1. Slow internet speed

Depending on which VPN provider you use, your internet speed may slow down. This depends, among other things, on how far the server used is from the client and what type of encryption is used.

2. Negative impact on your privacy

A VPN is supposed to protect your privacy. Still, if you choose the wrong provider, you may end up getting the opposite effect. For example, the applications may be faulty, the customer service may not be competent, or the encryption may not work correctly.

With free VPNs, you have to be aware that they are usually not wholly free of charge because you either have to deal with a lot of advertising, which finances the provider, or your data is can even be sold to third parties.

3. Good VPN services are chargeable

If you choose a reliable provider, you will have to expect a monthly fee.

For some people, the regular prices might be too expensive, and that’s why most good services also offer everyday specials and worthwhile discounts.