We all know that the internet is not always a safe place to browse. Whether you’re looking at your Facebook news feed, shopping online for some new clothes, or accessing online banking, there’s no way of knowing who might be watching and waiting to steal your information when they get access to your real IP address.
This is where virtual private networks come in handy – they encrypt everything we do online, so it appears as if we are browsing from inside an impenetrable fortress. But should you leave your VPN on all the time? The answer isn’t so simple…
In this blog post, we’re going to answer the question: “Should I always use a VPN?” This is an important question because it’s not as simple as you might think.
We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of using a VPN, so you can make your own decision on whether or not one should be used in any given situation.
Reasons For Using a VPN
Some people may use VPN clients to protect their browsing habits and encrypt their traffic. If you’re browsing the internet from a place where censorship is taking place, this can be helpful as it will allow you to get around government blocks that limit access to certain websites and content.
It will also help if your service provider doesn’t offer unfiltered or unrestricted access for whatever reason (i.e., they block sites like Netflix).
In some cases, when using public Wi-Fi networks, you’ll want to connect through a VPN server to safeguard against data theft of sensitive information by hackers on the web.
This means that even though these networks are free, they should still not be trusted without precautions taken because there’s no way to guarantee that someone connected to the same network won’t try to steal your private data.
How To Choose The Best VPN
When choosing a VPN, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in terms of features and technical requirements. This can vary from one user to the next, but most people will want something with solid encryption standards that works on multiple platforms.
Server speed is another important consideration, as slow connection speeds will quickly become frustrating for those looking to use the VPN regularly. So, always make sure your chosen service offers high speeds before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Besides this, you may want to consider how many servers and locations are available in order to determine which one is most suitable for your needs, and ensure that your VPN doesn’t keep logs.
Some of the best VPN services will have thousands of different servers spread out across multiple continents so that users can enjoy enhanced online privacy, security, and freedom no matter where in the world they might be!
When Not To Use a VPN
Some people may want to turn off their VPNs when they are connected to a home network. If that’s you, then that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
When not using the internet via public means, such as in a coffee shop or restaurant, it’s usually unnecessary to use a virtual private network.
The main instances you’ll need to use a VPN while at home is when streaming content via third-party apps, which could contain copyrighted material, or any instance where you use P2P services to download torrents.
This is where features such as a kill switch will come in handy as it cuts your internet access temporarily if your VPN connection goes down.
Final Thoughts – Should I Always Use a VPN?
If you’re asking yourself – should I always use a VPN? the truth is that it depends on things such as where you’re using your device and what you happen to be doing.
As you’ll now know, it’s usually fine to turn off your VPN if you’re at home unless you’re doing something such as streaming content including copyrighted TV shows and movies via third-party apps or downloading torrents.
But if you’re out and about, it’s wise to keep your VPN connected if you’re using any of your devices so you can encrypt your internet traffic on public WiFi networks.
However, if you’re looking for the best level of protection, make sure your VPN is secure! Lots of people who don’t know how to choose a good one end up with malware or viruses on their computer or have their private info accessed because they chose the wrong provider.
Luckily, there’s plenty of reputable services like Surfshark out there that take your online privacy and security seriously.
So any instance where you find yourself needing to use a VPN, you can rest safe knowing that you’ll keep any prying eyes at bay!