With the outbreak of the pandemic, in 2020, the world changed so drastically that trends that were mapped for almost three years in the future came true within a year. The rise of practices such as streaming TV shows and working from home also saw a surge in the need for private data networks. Considering the kind of traffic that is generated on the web, internet service providers had to break out new tactics to keep the quarantined masses satisfied.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, VPNs had been seeing a considerable rate of growth. However, the pandemic with its lifestyle changes and transitions in patterns of using the internet has affected VPN usage around the world. Experts say that the usage of VPNs increased by almost 20% in the period of March-April in 2020 compared to the same in 2019.

By picking the right VPN, users found that they had better access to information and the privacy and security of their systems were enhanced. Seeing such perks, here are some other areas where VPN usage has impacted the world.

1. Breaking through geo-restriction

To entertain the cooped-up minds during quarantine, content streaming platforms tried their best to provide people with the best service. However, users found some content was restricted to their region and to view the content, the streaming platform had to recognize users as coming from another IP location. To break through these geo-restrictions set by popular streaming platforms, VPNs became of great use.

As the streaming of online video content skyrocketed during the pandemic, VPN usage also catapulted. Considering how popular the culture of streaming content has become, this impact is going to be a more lasting one than any others.

2. Working from home

As businesses moved to a virtual world in 2020, people had to find ways to protect their data and keep their privacy intact. Confidential corporate information had to be given the necessary security and VPN promised just that. By delivering protection to the user’s data, VPN has allowed remote workers to stay on the job without compromising the safety of their employers and businesses.

Be it from Internet Service Providers or someone with malicious intent from a public network, VPNs are that added blanket of security that every system needs. Obscuring your IP address from the rest of the world becomes the need of the hour in 2020.

3. Increased frequency in the usage of VPN

Before the pandemic, users only turned to the service of VPN only a few times a month. With the start of the lockdown, VPN users a day increased by almost 30%. This change was not due to any particular reason apart from forming a new culture where internet security and privacy were given precedence.

Using VPN also made the process of streaming content and working remotely more stable and less prone to poor video quality and other interruptions. Since users across the globe had no other connection to the outside world, a VPN made sure that their escape from real-world problems happened without a hitch.

4. Perks from the e-commerce store

With a lot of time on their hands, VPN users were able to find that the location spoofing ability of VPNs brought out ways to save money. Since many stores across the world had offers and special amenities for customers that lived in a particular region, with VPN, people were able to circumvent this geoblocking and make use of it. Changing the IP location to the desired place gave the users a chance to save a buck or two as they went on online shopping sprees in the comfort of their homes.

5. Increased risks involved with VPNs

As much as VPNs offer security and protection from the threats lurking on the internet, the surge in global demand for VPNs has given rise to another critical issue. Hackers, data miners, and other users with malicious intentions use VPNs as a way to harvest information and spread malware.

For the VPN to be an effective and safe way to keep your data private, the VPN service provider needs to be a trustworthy one that will not exploit you. However, some shady providers with innovative yet problematic development are more of a security risk to their users.

Summing it up

VPN has become an integral part of the internet culture today. They are not perfect tools to guard your data and privacy but they can add to the protection you have in place. With a trusted VPN provider, users need not worry about security breaches and data harvesting. All the confidential information that your provider gets is kept from falling into the wrong hands. All you have to do is to research a bit and pick the best possible VPN available.