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Discover why you should use a VPN
One of the great things about VPNs is their versatility. They can be used for multiple purposes, all of which help boost your privacy and security online. The most obvious use for a VPN is to allow you to securely access the internet through insecure connections, such as Wi-Fi hotspots found in public places like cafes or trains.
Even if the hotspot itself is encrypted, it’s still possible for others connected to it to intercept your communications. By using a VPN, you effectively block your internet traffic from anyone snooping around. The VPN also protects your connection from certain vulnerabilities, such as KRACK. Note, however, other shared resources remain unprotected – so, for example, make sure you go to System Preferences’ Sharing pane and disable all features there before connecting to public networks.
Increase your privacy
Using a VPN at home can also increase your privacy, by scrambling your data so your internet provider can’t track what you’re doing. For example, ISPs can restrict or even ban certain online activities like torrenting, but by connecting through a torrent-friendly VPN you can avoid falling foul of your ISP’s policies (but you may be in breach of its terms and conditions, so tread with care).
It’s worth noting that VPNs don’t make you completely anonymous – your ISP can still see you’re sending and receiving data, but it can’t determine what that data is. Choose a VPN provider that enforces a strict no-logs policy, and your VPN provider won’t keep track of you either, which means it wouldn’t be able to pass on your details to other parties.
Another popular use for VPNs is to bypass geographic restrictions. By choosing a VPN server from another country, you appear to be a resident of that country, allowing you to access geo-restricted content (such as UK TV catch-up services while holidaying abroad). VPNs have in the past been used to bypass censors in certain countries such as Iran or China, but the authorities are wising up to this and so your VPN may simply not work in these countries.
Using a VPN can also increase your privacy, by scrambling your data so your ISP can’t track what you’re doing