If online security and privacy are important for you, you need to use a VPN on Windows. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a cloak of anonymity that ensures your privacy in the current deteriorating digital world where your every move is monitored and recorded online.
When people hear the term VPN, they believe it’s something that is only used by tech people and has no use for an average internet user. But this is not true. A VPN is something that everyone should be using, even the non-tech people. Using public Wi-Fi, browsing, online banking, and even streaming Netflix can be made secure using a VPN.
A VPN protects your data by masking your real IP address and encrypting traffic. Your traffic gets rerouted through a different server location, changing your IP address in the process. By doing so, no one can trace you online, and you will be able to browse the internet safely.
In this blog, we will discuss 5 major benefits of using a VPN on Windows and some cool ways you can use a VPN on your PC.
Also, if you are wondering what is the best VPN software for Windows, read our detailed guide for better understanding.
- Prevent ISP Throttling
ISP throttling is a common practice. It happens when your ISP slows down your internet speed and throttles bandwidth intentionally. It is done to avoid network congestion and has a smooth connection. However, despite its benefit, ISP throttling can be really frustrating as it affects your connection speeds.
ISP’s also do content-based throttling. Basically, if you play games on your Windows PC, stream high-quality videos, and torrent large files, your ISP might throttle speeds because of your large bandwidth consumption.
However, that can be prevented by using a VPN. With the help of a VPN on your Windows device, your ISP cannot see what you are doing online because your traffic becomes untraceable.
- Access geo-restricted content
With a VPN service on your Windows, you can change your IP address within seconds and access geo-restricted content online. Most sites like streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more, check a user’s IP address before offering content.
For example, BBC iPlayer is only available inside the United Kingdom. If you try to access it from anywhere outside the UK, it will check your IP address and deny access. But with the help of a VPN, you can get a British IP address which will allow you to trick BBC iPlayer into thinking you are trying to access it from inside the UK, and it will allow you unrestricted access.
This way, you can change your IP address to any location and access local, geo-blocked websites and TV channels from anywhere in the world.
- Secure access to Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks at places such as airports, coffee shops, hotels, and more are no doubt convenient, but you have to pay with your data security and privacy. You see, public Wi-Fi networks are highly unsecured, so anyone can snoop on your online activities.
When you are answering emails or shopping online at a coffee shop, someone may be tracking you online and even steal your data. Hackers can steal your passwords and sensitive information such as credit cards and more.
Using a VPN protects your data while using public Wi-Fi as it masks your IP address and traffic so no one can trace you online. Even if someone does intercept your traffic online, it will be useless because a VPN encrypts your traffic.
- Avoid online censorship
Some countries censor online content like gambling sites, social media, torrenting websites, and more. This type of censorship can be bypassed with the help of a VPN. You can connect to a server located in another country and access censored content from your location easily.
For example, VoIP apps such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Facetime are blocked in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries. However, with the help of a VPN, you can bypass censorship and access these services easily. Apart from these, you can access whatever content or apps you want with a VPN from anywhere in the world.
- Secure online banking and browsing
Online banking is very convenient, as, with a single click, you can take care of your finances without making a trip to the bank. However, your online banking activity might be exposed to hackers if you are using unsecured Wi-Fi. Hackers can intercept your data and steal your password and credit card information, resulting in account takeovers.
With a VPN, you don’t have to worry about any of that. A VPN passes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel that protects your data from snoopers. Most VPNs use 256-bit encryption that is the same used by military agencies for the protection of sensitive data.
You can also securely shop online, do mobile banking, and more with a VPN on your Windows PC. It will protect you from potential security risks such as identity theft.
Final Words
These are but a few benefits of using a VPN on Windows. Online security and privacy is not something that comes easy in today’s digital world, where your every move is tracked online. It not only creates privacy issues but also leads to security problems such as identity theft, account takeovers, and more. However, by using a simple tool like a VPN, you can protect your data online and achieve some level of anonymity.