Did you know that VPNs are not only useful to guarantee your anonymity, but they also have some more advantages? Most Internet users know that the main purpose of a VPN is to secure your web browsing data. It protects all the private information you leave online. Discover via this article some interesting ways to use your VPN.

Why do people use a VPN?

Virtual private networks have long been used to ensure privacy on the Internet. They offer a high level of privacy for computers and Internet users that you cannot get anywhere else. So, a VPN software creates a digital tunnel through which your Internet connection is routed, making it impossible for prying eyes to see.

To do this, your connection is routed through remote servers, which hides your IP address, often with the addition of encryption and other security features that make it virtually impossible for malicious or unwanted people to identify you, your network, and your computer.

VPNs are most used in businesses where remote users can access a private network without fear of it being compromised. If you do not use a remote network, you may be asking yourself the question. Why should I use a VPN? Believe it or not, the benefits of using a VPN go far beyond online privacy. There are dozens of situations where you might want, or need, to use a VPN. Find out more about the little-known uses of VPNs.

What are the best purposes of a VPN?

true multi-purpose application, a VPN makes the Internet safer and more open in many ways.

Discreet browsing

The main purpose of a VPN is security, knowing that all your Internet activity will remain private. Virtual private networks will allow you to surf online in a confidential way. Your private data will not be processed on local servers, which means that all your information sent online will be kept private. Even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will no longer know your browsing history.

Accessing the Usenet to share files

UseNet has been used for file sharing for a long time, long before Bittorrent. The problem is that ISPs have often blocked Usenet as a nest of illegally downloaded files, whereas not all files shared on Usenet are illegal. To access the Usenet without being blocked, all you need to do is use a good VPN. Interesting news, isn’t it?

Unlimited bandwidth

Leisure activities represent an important part of the time spent on the Internet. Apart from social media like Facebook or Instagram, streaming and network gaming are among the favorite activities of the French.

Most ISPs impose a limit on the amount of data you use as part of your Internet subscription. The downside is that subscribers experience a bandwidth penalty, which means that their current connection speed becomes slower. This is commonly referred to as a bottleneck.

Premium VPNs have no data limits, there are no speed limits. This means that you can use the Internet to download large files or stream movies without the ISP slowing down your connection since the ISP is no longer able to detect what you are doing.

Watch TV from other countries, free and in streaming

Netflix has so revolutionized the way we watch TV that now, a large majority of TV channels allow you to watch their programs from the internet. You can watch the DTT channels but also the streaming channels on your computer, and most of the time for free. The only restriction is that you must be in the country of origin.

How do you think the channels know from which country you are connecting to the internet? It is based on your IP address! This is where a VPN becomes interesting since it will allow you to change servers and country easily, allowing you to pretend you are native for example, of Australia.

Play games without your ISP slowing you down

Netflix is not the only site targeted by ISPs. Video streaming sites and online games are also targeted, especially if you don't have an unlimited subscription. The use of BitTorrent by game manufacturers to send updates and bug fixes adds to the problem. If you are not familiar with BitTorrent, it is a peer-to-peer file sharing service for transferring large amounts of data over the Internet.

BitTorrent also uses a lot of bandwidth, and to put that in perspective, it is estimated that more than half of the bandwidth is dedicated to file sharing. It is also a well-known method of downloading copyrighted material, which is why it is often restricted or blocked outright by ISPs. Using a VPN for online gaming will prevent your ISP from targeting your connection and slowing down your experience.

Use public Wi-Fi safely

Mobile ISPs have limited data plans and are usually not as fast as home ISPs. Since mobile ISPs are not as stable and fast everywhere, some people resort to the free public Wi-Fi available just about everywhere, but it is not without risk.

Connecting with a VPN using your iPhone to an open connection is the best solution if you want your Internet activity to be and remain secure.

VOIP calls are secure

If the Internet connection is not secure, everything you do online can be recorded or tracked, including Voice over IP. Since it uses your local connection, it is vulnerable to Internet hacking. A VPN secures your conversations on Skype for example.