The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a VPN and What You Need to Consider!

By Dennis Shelly

The vast world of the internet is more daunting than ever these days, with different types of online cyber threats like malware, ransomware, hackers, and more. There is only one real way to access the internet privately: a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. Using a VPN allows you to establish a secure network connection when using the internet. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and conceal your identity online and help to protect you from additional online threats. This makes it more difficult for third parties to monitor your internet activities and steal information. The VPN encryption happens in real-time.

VPNs are more useful than ever, whether you want to stream region-specific content or set up a secure home office environment. In this article, we’ll go through the benefits and drawbacks of using a VPN and list some VPN Providers so you can decide what‘s best for you.

How Does a VPN work?

A VPN conceals your IP address by routing it through a specially configured remote server maintained by a VPN host. This implies that if you use a VPN to access the internet, the VPN server becomes the source of your data. This means that your ISP and other third parties cannot know which websites you visit or what data you send and receive online.

Advantages of using VPN

1. Access to content that is Geo-locked in your region

Various well-known entertainment websites offer different content depending on where you are. This is done for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that some information is only available in certain locations. No matter where you are, you can access your preferred entertainment by using a VPN to make your connection appear to be coming from the country where the content is available.

2. Anonymity provides safety

When you use a VPN, your network traffic looks to be originating from somewhere other than your own. This disguised network traffic keeps VPN customers safe since anyone attempting to steal information would acquire the VPN server’s data instead.

3. Remote Work Requires a Secure Connection

Businesses now need to think about internet security more than ever. With more employees working from home than ever before, valuable business and consumer information is increasingly vulnerable to theft. Unrestricted access to company data and consumer information may be disastrous for a firm. When connecting to business-based networks, using a VPN can help ensure that sensitive data is hidden behind the dummy information provided by the VPN.

4. Save Money on eCommerce in Your Region

When customers shop online, websites such as hotels or airlines track their network information in order to increase prices. Some e-commerce sites will even charge different charges for services based on location. Using a VPN to mask your location allows you to see deals that are unchanged by the unethical pricing practices outlined above.

5. Security at an Affordable Price

The most recent software and firewalls can be costly, and they may end up generating more problems than they prevent. By using a VPN, you may avoid paying high licensing costs or recurring costs. A VPN eliminates the need for those capabilities by making you virtually anonymous online.

Disadvantages of using a VPN

1. Slow Internet Connections

Because a VPN is a virtual connection that exists within a physical network, there will always be some slowdown in internet speeds. Creating and maintaining the VPN will consume some bandwidth, which will slow down the connection speeds. This is turning into less of a concern, though, as VPN services improve on a daily basis. Most big VPN companies claim to have little connection speed loss.

2. Anti-VPN Software Is Getting More Powerful

VPN blockers, which look to detect and restrict users from using VPNs, are used by several e-commerce companies. Some major streaming services, such as Netflix, try to combat VPN connections with VPN blockers, so you may wake up one morning and discover that your trusted VPN no longer has access to the content you want.

3. Complicated Installation setup

Leaks might occur if the VPN is not properly configured. When using an incorrectly configured VPN, information leaks can occur. Therefore, before applying your VPN provider’s operational protocols, be sure you understand them.

4. Connection Dropouts

Even the best VPN may occasionally lose connectivity. It is not the same as simply losing Wi-Fi and being disconnected from the internet when a VPN loses connectivity. A lost VPN connection means that your genuine network information is now visible to anyone. This also implies that your ISP can know what websites you are browsing if your connection is interrupted.

To Conclude

Internet security is more crucial than ever before. Every day, more people work from home and require secure connections to their office workstations. One of the best ways for protecting against these increasing internet risks is to use a VPN. VPNs enable users to mask their network information and access the web safely regardless of their location. While not always ideal, using a VPN can often be the most cost-effective and secure way to protect oneself online. However, specific activities that require a lot of bandwidth may be unable to function with a VPN, but they can be easily enabled and disabled. Before deciding on a VPN service, assess the advantages and disadvantages, as well as important factors such as cost and legality.

Setting up a VPN can seem daunting and challenging but you don’t have to go through it alone. Let one of our Eggperts help you setup, configure, and choose the right VPN service.

Please contact us by visiting our website at www.eggheadit.com, by calling (760) 205-0105, or by emailing us at tech@eggheadit.com  with your questions or suggestions for our next article.

IT | Networks | Security | Voice | Data