▾There are several reasons for using a VPN - it guarantees secure transmission of confidential and sensitive data through encryption, allows you to watch movies on networks with restricted access, and enables playing multiplayer games online even when servers are not available. These are just a few examples; there are, of course, many more benefits to using a VPN. Let's look at some more.
Surfing and Shopping on the Web
Using a VPN, you can avoid intrusive and annoying ads, access any site completely anonymously, and if you shop online, the merchant won't be able to tell where you're actually from. This is particularly useful if you're a repeat shopper - if a seller could tell from your connection that you're from a larger city, they might try to increase prices. Some online businesses do this because they assume residents of bigger cities are financially better off and can pay more for the same goods.
Secure Financial Transactions
If you conduct operations via online banking at home, the likelihood of account hacking or data theft by unauthorized parties is not very high, but it exists. Using a VPN easily and reliably prevents this risk. And if you need to make a financial transfer or just check your account in an internet café or another place with public Wi-Fi, where a large number of participants are connected simultaneously, the risk of account hacking or data loss is significantly higher; in such cases, a VPN is really necessary. VPNs can be used on laptops, tablets, or smartphones, so you can always be protected and use public networks without worry.
Movies and TV Shows
If you watch movies and TV shows through streaming services, sometimes it can be a problem, because in some countries, they set it up so you can't access their broadcast. However, if you use a VPN and choose the corresponding IP address, you're set, and suddenly it will work without a problem. An example is the very popular Netflix.
VPNs are also used by companies that protect data
When sending sensitive company data, no protection is good enough, as it can be contracts, technical specifications, or financial plans and budgets, i.e., things that need to be kept "under wraps". VPNs serve excellently for securing this data because they use encryption in both directions (receiving and sending data) and send data through created tunnels.
When it comes to geoblocking
This is the unauthorized (but sometimes implemented) geographical blocking that complicates some online purchases. With the help of a VPN, however, you can give the impression that you are connecting from a completely different place on the globe than you actually are, thus you have a chance to bypass this blocking.
VPN works on various devices and even for different operating systems
If you need to secure data or hide or change your IP address, a VPN is the right solution. You can often use it on multiple devices simultaneously. Some VPN services allow security even for Mac or iOS, but you have to check this when choosing, as it does not apply to all. The availability of various servers and the amount of data transferred, of course, are reflected in the price of the VPN service, so the selection requires appropriate attention. However, the price of a VPN is not very high, and it is a security measure that is definitely worth it.
VPN as an Addition to Physical Infrastructure
Individual VPN networks can be easily expanded, enlarged, or reduced as needed, meaning that as an authorized user, you have the ability to make these adjustments. This allows you to modify the appearance of the virtual environment within the VPN according to your ideas and needs, while leaving the practical implementation to the provider. So you can use a VPN without having to build or even own the infrastructure.
If You Travel a Lot Around the World
You will also find a VPN useful when staying abroad or traveling, as it allows you to connect to your favorite streaming services even where it would not be possible with a regular user connection. Simply use an IP address that servers will consider as a connection from your home, even though you are perhaps hundreds or thousands of kilometers away.