What is a VPN and how do you know if you need one ?

You may or may not have heard of a VPN before, either way here is some information for you to browse through explaining what a VPN does and how it may benefit you. Our friends over at Surfshark have offered a massive discount to PC Medics Customers if you decide to try them out. Use the Surfshark banner below, click here or give us a call to access these great offers. With offers ranging from a month upto 2 years you're sure to find an offer for you.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address to protect your privacy online. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times before. But while privacy and security are the main building blocks of any good VPN provider, they’re far from being the only benefits that a VPN offers.

Having a VPN can enhance your experience on the internet, increase connection speeds, or even help you save some money. Follow along to learn more about the benefits of a VPN.

The benefits you get from a VPN vary depending on which VPN provider you choose. Each has a unique set of features designed to give its customers the best possible VPN experience. Here are some of the most common advantages of using a VPN:

1. Improved security

First and foremost, a VPN is a security solution. It establishes an encrypted tunnel of communication between you and the internet. Simply put, it creates a secure internet connection that protects you from external threats.

Your security is further boosted by features like Kill Switch and Private DNS. Kill Switch shuts down your internet connection if a VPN disconnects so that no sensitive data gets leaked. And Private DNS adds an extra layer of security to your searches and the data that you send to websites when you visit them.

2. Enhanced privacy

When it comes to VPNs, privacy is just as important as security. A lot of your private information can be collected if you don’t use a VPN. This includes your searches, the websites you visit, your activity on said websites, or even your name, email, phone number, and location.

By encrypting all your traffic and changing your IP address, a VPN app effectively eliminates such issues. When connected to a VPN, neither your ISP (Internet Service Provider) nor bad actors can see your online activity. On top of that, you can even hide the fact that you’re using a VPN if you connect to one of Surfshark’s obfuscated servers.

3. Unrestricted access to the internet

The internet may seem like an open ocean that you can explore without restraints or limitations. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Oppressive governments tend to heavily censor the internet for their citizens, while lesser restrictions or changes to the internet can be applied depending on the region you live in.

You can overcome oppressive censorship and freely access the wonders of the World Wide Web by connecting to a VPN server. The secure encryption won’t let anyone spy on your activity online, so you can enjoy the best that the internet has to offer without worrying.

4. No internet throttling 

Your ISP can throttle your connection when you play games, download files, watch video content, or take part in other data-heavy activities. When you use a VPN, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. As a result, it can’t throttle your connection based on your activities.

It’s worth noting that a VPN only helps with selective throttling. It won’t do anything to your connection speed if the ISP has placed a data cap on your network or is slowing the connection down for other reasons.

5. Saving money on online purchases

While any good VPN costs money, it can also help you save some. Some websites keep logs of your activity and use this information to increase their prices. This is particularly common with airline tickets and accommodation booking. The more you visit to check the prices, the higher they get. To reverse this damage, clear your browsing history, cache, and connect to a VPN. 

Sometimes prices of goods and services may differ according to location. You can try changing VPN servers to get an even better deal.

6. Access to your native websites

Video libraries and news outlets tend to restrict their content to a certain country and region. A VPN allows you to keep up to date with your favorite shows and local news while traveling abroad. Simply connect to a VPN server in your home country, and you’ll be able to consume content as if you never left.

7. Protection on all devices

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. No need to count your devices — you can connect all of them to a VPN at the same time. Alternatively, you can set up a VPN on your router. By doing so, you secure every device that connects to your home network without the need to worry about installing any apps or establishing additional connections.

8. Smoother online experience

Some VPN providers go above and beyond to provide a surfing experience that’s as pleasurable as it is secure. For example, Surfshark’s Clean Web feature blocks annoying ads and helps prevent malware, phishing, and cookie pop-ups. And it’s all included in the standard plan, so you don’t have to pay extra.