VPN Use Cases: Beyond Privacy and Security

As you probably know, virtual private networks (VPNs) improve our internet connection's security and privacy. They reduce the ability of others to watch your online activity to gain access to your resources or use your data for other illicit purposes. They allow you to access websites you could not access otherwise due to location. 

Whether you are an individual or a small business, using a VPN has many advantages. Using public WiFi while traveling, sending sensitive information, or taking advantage of Netflix's entertainment options can all be done more securely with a VPN. In this post, you will discover the answer to “what is a VPN in essence?”, how it functions, and some of the most well-liked VPN uses.

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What Is a Virtual Private Network?

A virtual private network (VPN) enables users to securely connect to another network over the internet by encrypting the connection from their device. A VPN offers online privacy and anonymity while safeguarding an internet connection. Individuals use personal VPNs to protect their data, uphold their privacy, and enable anonymous online browsing. VPNs are used by organizations, governments, and businesses of all sizes to protect against data eavesdropping and to secure remote internet connections.

How do VPNs Assist in Data Security?

Data can be encrypted using encryption, making it only decipherable by authorized parties. Devices can connect securely to one another using a VPN. The data sent back and forth between connected devices using the VPN is encrypted and decrypted using the encryption keys generated by each device. This method might impede network traffic by adding some delay to network connections. Its encryption ensures that VPN connections remain private even when passing through public Internet infrastructure. 

Few Use Cases of VPN 

Seven VPN usage scenarios that you probably were not aware of are listed below:

1. Assisting in the Concealment of your Tor Connection

An anonymous network called Tor is available online. Tor and VPN are occasionally considered rivals because they perform comparable tasks, especially when giving internet users protection and anonymity. 

VPNs are a service offered by a company, whereas Tor is an open-source, peer-to-peer network with end-to-end encryption. Each has positives and negatives. However, the two can be combined and complement one another. Using a VPN allows one to hide their use of the Tor network from their ISP.

2. Safeguarding your Devices from DDOS Attacks

Hackers constantly try to start DDOS attacks against others by infecting users' devices with malware. For instance, they might take over your computers, smartphones, or even smart TVs and use them to send fictitious service requests to businesses that provide online services or to people or organizations that have online communication channels, preventing actual victims from receiving assistance. You can prevent your devices from being hijacked and used for this purpose by using a VPN.

3. Searching the Web for Relevant Keywords

Nowadays, almost every company creates content for online publishing because it is so important for online promotion. However, the most effective content has been tailored for the readers or clients. When creating this type of content, knowing what your target audience searches for online is essential. Unfortunately, Google will suggest search terms based on your location and the data gathered about your past behavior. You may improve your results with your target audience by using a VPN to receive a more objective search term list based on Google's suggestions. 

4. Access to Internet Banking from a Foreign Country

Some banks might prevent access to your account while traveling abroad for security reasons. It is frequently automatic and inevitable because they do this by keeping track of the IP address of the server you are accessing. Use a VPN and connect to a VPN server in your nation when attempting to access your bank account to get around this issue. The VPN enables access to previously restricted content and supports connection security. This is particularly crucial because you might not always have access to a secure network when traveling.

5. P2P Safety

Peer-to-peer (P2P), torrenting, or file sharing is popular worldwide. It has, unfortunately, received attention for all the wrong reasons. P2P is now strictly regulated in many countries due to copyright violations. Depending on the offense's seriousness, torrenting infractions can carry penalties ranging from a warning to significant jail time and fines. Some Internet Service Providers oppose torrenting, claiming that P2P file sharers consume the most available bandwidth. This frequently leads to throttling, which lowers P2P users' speeds. To avoid such problems, use a VPN that permits file sharing on its networks.

6. Conducting Research on Local Businesses in Different Cities or Countries

In various circumstances, you may need to conduct business research in a town, city, or country other than your own. You might be doing research for a school project, looking up potential business locations, or organizing a trip to the area and needing to know where to find specific services. Unfortunately, search engines like Google and Yahoo are built to show results based on the location your IP address suggests you are currently in. In that case, Google will still display many more results related to Canadian real estate or results less relevant than what a local searcher in the UK sees if you are looking for real estate in the UK from Canada. A VPN might assist you in resolving this issue by allowing you to select an IP address from the country where the company you are researching is located.

7. Identifying & Avoiding Harmful Websites

You may purposefully or unintentionally click on links that take you to risky websites when using the internet. These websites might contain malicious code and phishing scams that seek to steal your data, harm your resources or defraud you. The ability of a VPN to recognize fake websites and restrict access reduces your likelihood of becoming a victim.

8. The Abolition of Bandwidth Throttling

You have a lot of control over how you use the internet thanks to your internet service provider (ISP), who can also limit your access to particular websites, online resources, and platforms, as well as the speed at which pages load. If your Internet service provider (ISP) learns you are using peer-to-peer protocols, they will limit your bandwidth access. This "bandwidth throttling" practice may significantly restrict your capacity to upload and download the data. Because your ISP won't be able to tell whether you are using a torrent network, a VPN will help you avoid this. 

Conclusion

As you can see, a VPN might provide a variety of advantages. Therefore, it's crucial to comprehend the full set of features offered by a VPN service before subscribing. For businesses and individuals alike, VPNs offer countless benefits that can improve their systems' granularity and overall protection.