Accessing the web via a proxy or VPN is as popular as ever. This trend gives users access to geo-blocked websites and more content at reduced rates. Apart from this, users can access services without the worry that their sessions will be tracked. However, like every other service, VPNs have their downsides, and it’s important to do your research before deciding which one to subscribe to. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the many pros and cons of VPNs, and we’ll give some tips on how to pick the best VPN for your needs.
Pros
It gives you access to blocked content
Accessing restricted content is one of the major selling points of VPN services. According to a well-crafted infographic on the safety of VPN, 48% of users employ them because they are interested in accessing sites that are restricted in their region.
However, you can only get the online freedom you want from a VPN that has servers in countries which don’t block the website you wish to access. Also, you should consider the server speed as it determines how fast the chosen VPN can bypass anti-VPN software.
VPN can secure your data online
It’s no longer news that governments, service providers, and hackers surveil users’ online activities, habits, and data. VPN counters this by masking your IP address and encrypting the information you receive and send.
Securing connections and encrypting online data are the primary functionalities of a VPN. Using a good one gives you access to privacy-protection features that will ensure your data and location stay invisible to prying eyes.
To mask your IP address, the VPN allocates you a new IP address, which is why your online activities will not directly link back to you. Also, the security and encryption protocols available on VPNs effectively encrypt your data and make it almost impossible for unauthorized entities to see what you are up to.
VPN Saves You Money
Apart from accessing free content on the web, VPN gives you access to cheap services that would normally be more expensive if you had used your real IP address. You should know that online retailers have different prices for customers from different countries.
Since you can choose from a wide array of IP addresses, accessing cheap products and services is now a possibility. This is even more useful when you are planning a vacation and looking for an affordable hotel to book.
VPN is affordable
Not only does VPN give you access to blocked content, cheaper products, and premium protection features, it is also very affordable. Although there are VPN providers that offer free services, a majority of them require you to pay for their protection.
As for the free offers, you either have to learn to tolerate annoying ads or have a limit on the locations you can access. What’s worse, it is possible for them to log your data and sell it to third parties.
Cons
A VPN can limit your internet connection speed
A VPN acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. Right before your data leaves the VPN server, it is encrypted, and this could slow down your connection speed.
Waiting for a website to load or a live video to finish buffering is annoying, and this is definitely a downside of using a VPN. However, there are VPN services that can boast high speed and are not susceptible to these sort of issues.
VPN services could log your data and activities
There are cases where VPN providers are bound under the law to log the information of their users and hand it over whenever the government requests. In a way, this is a contradiction of the unfaltering privacy many of these providers claim they offer to the users.
As a result, it is imperative that you review the location of a VPN provider and the privacy laws effective in the region before signing up.
Anti-spyware is becoming more effective
While it is common knowledge that some websites utilize anti-spyware software to identify and block IP address linked to a VPN. The bad news is that they are becoming more effective with time. Therefore, your days of accessing streaming sites and unlimited content could be numbered.
Nonetheless, there are some VPN providers who claim that it is impossible for these sites to restrict their connection as they have explosive internet connection speed.
VPN servers can fail
Imagine using a VPN connection to access blocked content, and suddenly, the VPN server fails. This means that your access is cut off, and your secure haven of anonymity disappears as your real IP address becomes visible.
Depending on the quality of VPN service you are using, failures like this one could occur intermittently and affect your internet experience.
Improperly configured VPN can expose you to threats
There are plenty of technicalities involved in data encryption, setting up a server, and deploying protocols. VPN providers that are not savvy in any of these fields will likely take shortcuts and offer undercooked services. Consequently, user data and personal information are readily available to attackers as a result of IP and DNS leaks.
This is most prevalent in free VPN services. Apparently, VPN providers are not charity organizations, and they will only offer you the services that guarantee them returns.
Conclusion
VPN offers us a world where you can freely access any content and service regardless of your location while ensuring that you remain invisible to threats. Nonetheless, indiscriminately subscribing to them could lead to a frustrating internet experience, as not all services are created equal.
Before choosing one, be sure to do your research, and weigh the pros and cons of all relevant options.
