According to a survey by Global Web Index, as many as 25 percents of the internet users around the globe use VPNs. However, there are still users who don’t quite understand what VPNs are, how they work, or why they should be using them.

To help this latter group, here is a quick overview of what VPNs are and why you should use them on a daily basis.

What is a VPN?

Without sounding too technical, VPN is an acronym for a virtual private network. By connecting to a VPN server, you encrypt all your web traffic. This implies that nobody (even your internet service provider) can eavesdrop on your activities.

Why you need a VPN

1. Masking your IP address

One of the obvious benefits of a VPN is that it allows you to hide your IP address. This also implies that potential eavesdroppers will only see IP addresses of the VPN servers that you are connected to.

2. Bypassing geographic restrictions

Sometime you may be restricted from streaming certain channels online. Whenever you try, you’ll get a geolocation error. This is phenomenon is very common when you are traveling abroad. A VPN will help you bypass such restrictions.

3. Downloading P2P files anonymously

 To download any file via peer-to-peer software, your IP address must be added to a torrent swarm. This means that copyright protection groups can trace your IP address. By hiding your IP address, you’ll be able to download P2P files anonymously.

4. Working remotely

A bigger percentage of employers require the use of VPNs when accessing the organization’s services remotely—for security reasons. A VPN that connects to your company’s server can grant you access to the company’s internal network and resources when you are in a remote location. It can also give you access to your home network when you are out and about.

5. Use public Wi-Fi safely

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacking because most of them are not properly secured. By setting up a VPN connection before connecting to these Wi-Fi hotspots, you’ll be barring hackers from infiltrating your device.

6. Access ISP banned sites

Internet service providers in many countries now ban citizens from using or accessing certain sites. China, for instance, is known to bock popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google. In the UK, you are not allowed to visit torrent websites such as KickAss Torrents or the Pirate Bay. A wide range of institutions apply the same concept. In either case, you can hide your IP address to bypass such censorships and access any site that you want, anytime.

7. Using common search engines without leaving traces of your searches

Whether you like it or not, big search engines such as Google and Bing have a record of every search that you perform because they are attached to your IP address. In most cases, they use such data to customize the advertising and other search parameters to your machine.  This kind of cataloging may seem unobtrusive but it can be a risk for future public embarrassment or social faux pas. Getting a VPN will help you cloak your IP address and keep all your searches private. 

Bottom-line

If you care about your privacy, using a VPN is a great option. As you can see, there are many valid reasons why you should make it harder for eavesdroppers to get access to your online activities.