Here’s why you should use a VPN for travel
Many people fear security breaches when using public Wi-Fi or their home internet network. Indeed, the internet now contains a lot of sensitive data, such as your login information for banking websites or the passwords to your social media accounts.
It is in everyone’s interest to equip themselves with the necessary tools to secure their network effectively. One of these tools is a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
But why use a VPN? As explained in one of our previous articles, VPNs allow you to easily create an encrypted connection between your computer and a remote server. This server then connects to the internet, providing an additional layer of anonymity and security to your internet browsing.
Are VPNs effective? Yes! Despite their monthly subscription fees for most services, VPNs also allow access to blocked or restricted websites in your country. Moreover, VPNs can also hide your real location by using a new IP address from the country of your choice, adding another layer of security to public Wi-Fi browsing.
Thus, when you travel, you don’t have to worry about not being able to access your favorite sites blocked in the country you are visiting thanks to VPNs. A VPN allows you, in part, to browse the internet as if you were at home, anywhere in the world.
The Advantages Offered by VPNs
Is a VPN worth it? Definitely. If you plan to travel and work abroad, VPNs are an essential tool.
By using a VPN, you can connect to your company’s internal network as if you were physically present in the office, enabling access to shared files, databases, or applications that might otherwise be inaccessible from abroad.
VPNs also allow you to protect sensitive company data when connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks. It’s always better to act preemptively when it comes to internet security!
VPNs represent a cost-effective, and even sometimes free, option that allows you to work abroad with peace of mind.
Using a Free VPN
Most VPN services are paid, but there are still many free options available to try out this technology.
However, free options have their limitations. First, they sometimes offer a less stable and slower connection, which can be frustrating during your travels. Also, some companies that offer free VPNs monetize them by selling your browsing data.
Moreover, free VPNs tend to establish download limits to encourage you to opt for paid options. Some also limit the number of servers you can access, which can create an unstable connection at times. Despite all this, it’s still better to use a free VPN while traveling than none at all!
If you want to try VPNs but aren’t ready to pay for a monthly subscription, we have prepared a shortlist of the best free VPN services:
Windscribe: Based in Canada, Windscribe is a VPN service offering a free version that allows you to browse securely until you reach the 10GB download limit. It offers a user-friendly interface, and if you are satisfied with its performance, you can then opt for their paid options.
ProtonVPN: Based in Switzerland, this VPN service offers you free use without download limits, ads, or recording your browsing data. However, it uses several security verifications (CAPTCHA), which can become annoying over time.
Opera: Opera is a free browsing browser based on the Google Chrome interface and has a built-in VPN. Therefore, you only need to download it to quickly benefit from a secure 2-in-1 browser.
Using a Paid VPN
Paid VPN services offer the ultimate in browsing security during your travels. Some of them allow you to connect to over 3000 servers located all around the world, which contributes to improving your connection strength when using a paid VPN.
Paid VPN services usually have more resources to invest in the security of their network. A paid service, therefore, has more security features, such as a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet when your VPN is no longer active to ensure your anonymity.
If you want to subscribe to a paid VPN service, we have prepared a shortlist of the best paid VPNs:
Mullvad VPN: Mullvad VPN is a powerful tool that goes beyond typical VPN features. It can bypass your NAT firewall, which practically allows for a faster connection. Mullvad is available at a cost of $7 per month, without any long-term commitment.
NordVPN: NordVPN is one of the most reputed VPN services for its reliability and very low monthly cost starting at only $3.49. NordVPN also offers excellent customer service and a very fast connection time to its servers.
Surfshark: Surfshark is a renowned VPN service for its speeds. Users can expect to keep over 95% of their connection speed despite using a VPN. It is also capable of bypassing VPN detections, allowing you to view blocked content in your region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, VPNs are a powerful tool when you travel. They allow you to connect to your company’s network to work remotely as if you were at home, but they also increase the security of your internet browsing. Whether you opt for a free or paid VPN service, you will benefit from using a VPN! If you are also looking for a way to ensure your constant connection, we recommend you consider purchasing an eSIM package.
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