Is it illegal to use VPNs?

The legality of using a VPN varies in most locations worldwide. For example, some countries allow it, while others, like China and Russia, restrict VPN usage. Remember, even if using a VPN is legal in your country, you shouldn't use it for illegal activities like downloading copyrighted content.

Do I need a VPN at home?

A VPN is not only helpful when you are on the go. While VPN services protect you on public Wi-Fi networks, they will also improve your home security. For example, a VPN will protect you against hackers, intrusive ads, trackers, and other online snoopers. Also, it will help you bypass the geo-restrictions of popular streaming services like Netflix.

Should I leave my VPN on all the time?

It will depend on your location and VPN needs. For example, you should always leave it on if you live in restrictive jurisdictions like China because you can't risk revealing the sites you’re visiting. Also, it's a good idea to leave your VPN switched on if you regularly use your device on public Wi-Fi networks. Thankfully, many VPNs offer split tunneling, allowing you to use certain apps with your local IP address.

Should I pay for a VPN?

Yes, paying for a VPN is worth it because of the benefits you will get. First, it will protect your privacy and security when using the internet. Also, it will enable you to bypass geo-blocks and access content from worldwide. Moreover, a VPN will help you evade internet throttling, improving your speed.

Can you be hacked when using a VPN?

A VPN is a great security tool, but it will not keep you completely safe. Although it makes it hard for hackers to intercept your connections, it doesn’t make it impossible. That is why you should use it with other security tools like password managers, antivirus, etc.

What is a remote-access VPN?

A remote-access VPN enables users to access their remote networks securely, which is crucial for organisations with remote offices. It helps to create a link between the company's network and the users' devices, allowing them to reach internal resources like printers, servers, intranets, etc.

Pros and cons of VPNs. Is a VPN worth it?

Sneak peek at the VPN pros and cons

Many users consider VPNs a magical wand that makes them go invisible online. While that’s true to some extent, it must be realized that online anonymity is not always desirable. At times, the usual VPN features, like IP changes and anti-tracking, meddle with the user experience on websites. But on the other hand, not putting up such hindrances via VPNs leaves open areas for cyber attackers to play their nasty games. Therefore, users need to compare the features of VPN services with their regular browsing habits and understand the pros and cons of using them to avail of a privacy-oriented internet experience.

Amidst the rising cybersecurity incidents that even target individuals globally, the typical security tip you would hear from every privacy advocate (including us) is using a VPN. But before jumping on the bandwagon, knowing about the pros and cons of using a VPN service is essential.

Indeed, it doesn’t mean you should be skeptical about the benefits of VPNs.

Today when your online details always remain at stake, you inevitably need something like VPNs to defend yourself against common digital threats.

Besides, VPNs undeniably remain the best workaround to evade content restrictions and censorship.

However, as a responsible internet user, you deserve the right to know all about this service and opt to use a VPN by choice instead of merely following others’ advice.

Also, given the plethora of free and premium VPN services available today, choosing the right one is tricky. Here, it’s essential to realize that not all providers offer the same feature and services. Every VPN service available today has its pros and cons.

Therefore, the more you learn the benefits and problems of virtual private networks, the better you can decide which service you should use, how to find one, and whether you need it.

So, without further ado, let’s start with the pros and cons you’ll likely experience as a VPN user. By the end of this guide, you’ll be clear about how to protect your online security.

What to expect when using a VPN – quick look at the pros and cons

Short on time to read the details? This table will help you quickly understand the benefits you get and the problems you might face when using VPNs.

Pros	Cons
Ensures privacy and anonymity as your online data and internet traffic gets encrypted	The underlying encryption technology may reduce the connection speed
Unblock all types of restricted and censored content	Unrestricted access to content may require some physical monitoring, such as parental monitoring for kids and teens
Change your online location to any specific region to get access to local content	Many VPNs may fail to work against anti-VPN technology
Improved online security as VPNs mask your actual IP address	Rerouting traffic through different servers may cause connection drops, especially on unstable internet connections
Protect yourself from ISP throttling and government surveillance	Some governments ban VPN use or label VPNs illegal
Enjoy safe and smooth gaming and torrenting	Torrenting files that infringe copyrights may cause legal troubles if caught
Eliminate price discrimination while making purchases	Free VPNs may not offer better online anonymity, hence leaking your actual location online

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (abbreviated to VPN) establishes an encrypted tunnel for data transfer between you and a remote VPN server. It hides your actual IP address with the VPN server’s IP address from a different geographical location than yours.

For example, if you choose a VPN server located in the US while you’re in the UK, it would appear as if you’re using the internet from the US.

All data communicated between you and the VPN server through the encrypted tunnel remains inaccessible. VPN systems contain numerous elements that secure the VPN’s private network and the external network by which a user connects.

Using a VPN adds a strong layer of privacy and security to private and public networks alike, such as home WiFi networks or public WiFi hotspots. All thanks to the advanced encryption VPNs use.

To better understand how this works, consider a public WiFi network, like the WiFi at a coffee shop or the airport’s passenger lounge. You would typically join the WiFi network and use free internet without a second thought.

However, you are unaware of who may be watching your traffic through that network. You can’t even be confident whether a public WiFi network is a real deal or a fake network set up by a hacker!

Think about all the passwords, credit card numbers, banking data, and private information transferred between you and the web. All this information remains potentially exposed to the prying eyes.

Now, if you connect to the same public network, this time with the protection of a VPN, you should no longer worry about anyone intercepting your data. Neither users prying around for unprotected victims nor the network operator can access your data.