Are you a regular user of the internet? If the answer’s yes, now’s the time to invest in a VPN. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are programs used to mask people’s identities and locations. Using them can prevent ISPs, hackers, and government agencies from monitoring online activities, making them highly useful.  However, you don’t have to be actively hiding something to be able to benefit from the use of a VPN. This post will tell you why that is and what some of the advantages of using these programs are:

Unrestricted Server Access

VPNs are typically marketed as being exclusively for people who’re interested in protecting themselves on the internet. However, cybersecurity doesn’t have to be your main reason for using a VPN. Some people use these programs so they can play international servers on their favorite video games. If you’re interested in doing this, look into Surfshark setup for Apex Legends, for example, or another VPN for a video game of your choice. When you are playing international servers, it’s important to use a different account to the one you play on domestic servers, as it’s likely that one will be locked to your home nation’s servers, preventing you from being able to use it on international ones. You may also want to consider registering an account with a new email address so that the administrators of the game you are playing do not catch wind and ban you for breaking their rules.

International Streaming Services

Keeping in line with the previous point, VPNs also allow you to watch movies on streaming services that are only accessible by people from different countries. Netflix, for example, has a different client in every single country it is offered in. Each client has its own movies. Netflix U.S. is different to Netflix U.K. However, you can access these different clients by changing your country of origin on the VPN that you are using. If you intend on using a VPN for this purpose, you may want to register new accounts, as streaming services punish users who’re caught bypassing international film blocks.

Avoiding ISP Monitoring

Did you know that your ISP is most likely monitoring you? One of the main reasons that people use VPNs today is to avoid ISP monitoring. It’s very common for people’s ISPs to sell their personal and private information to marketing companies. Even if your ISP does not do this, it is unpleasant knowing that they are watching your every move on the internet, even if you are not doing anything wrong. Activating a VPN every time you connect to the internet will prevent them from being able to see what you are doing and track your movements.

Protecting Yourself from Hackers

Hackers on the internet are more prevalent than ever before. It’s very common for people to connect to public Wi-Fi networks and then end up having all of their personal data and information stolen. This is because hackers are notorious for breaking into public Wi-Fi networks and hijacking all of the information that passes through them. Using a VPN when you are connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can prevent hackers from being able to get into your device and see what you are doing.

Private Internet Usage

As mentioned in the two previous sections, there are ways people can monitor what you are doing on the internet. The internet’s somewhere you should be able to browse privately. You should not have to worry about people watching and monitoring what you are doing. Again, you do not have to be doing anything illegal to want to browse the internet privately, despite what many people seem to think. A VPN can help to ensure that every single search you make and website you visit is done privately, without anybody else seeing or monitoring you.

Using Threat Protection

The vast majority of VPN platforms allow their users to turn on threat protection. Threat protection is an antiviral extension that notifies VPN users when they come across a virus. Viruses are widespread on the internet today and very hard to avoid. In addition to downloading a VPN with threat protection, try to purchase additional anti-viral software. Anti-viral software can stop malware from infecting your device and corrupting it. If your device does get corrupted with viruses or malware, it could become unusable. These programs are widely available and very affordable and are a must-have for people who’re interested in keeping themselves safe online.

VPNs are essential for internet users. If you use the internet to game, work, or watch movies, invest in one. They are usually very affordable and are downloadable in most countries.