If you’re concerned about your security and privacy on the internet, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is probably the best way to protect you and your data. The internet wasn’t exactly designed with security in mind. It was designed to do its job - send packets or chunks of data efficiently and reliably. 

The internet’s method of communicating, its core protocols, were created to avoid failing in their primary job of data transfer. Security is mainly the user’s responsibility. 

However, although some security standards were developed for the applications you regularly use, like emails, messaging, web browsing, social media, and others, many apps are still far from secure. The majority of these apps still transmit data without considering security, much less privacy. 

How Do VPNs Work?

VPNs are designed to give users security and privacy when using the internet. It creates a private virtual ‘tunnel,’ giving you an encrypted connection. It lets users have a secure and private connection over the internet. Companies, organizations, and individuals rely on VPNs to ensure that they can communicate through the internet safely and privately.

VPNs ensure that everything you send over the internet through this private tunnel is encrypted so that even if your ‘chunks’ of data or packets are intercepted, it’d be virtually impossible to decipher. This means that anybody with a VPN is assured of a secure connection wherever their location might be. Many VPN providers can give you this type of service, such as VPN AU, especially if you're in Australia.

Are VPNs Necessary?

According to GlobalWebIndex, an audience analytics company, VPNs are currently used by over 26% of internet users around the world. Now that the pandemic has forced many people and businesses to rely more on the internet, VPN use is surging. 

Cyberattack threats, which seem to be getting more vicious in the past few years, are predicted to cost internet users around the world about USD$6 trillion, according to a report from The Herjavic Group. Moreover, a 2020 Verizon report shows that 43% of SMEs (small and mid-size enterprises) were targeted by cybercriminals. 

The report’s findings were sufficiently alarming that they contributed greatly to the increase in VPN demand and other security upgrades. 

Pros and Cons Of Using Virtual Private Networks

Viruses aren’t the only threats that await you on the internet. Malware, ransomware, spyware, cyberwarfare, distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS), and others can give any internet user a terrible day. Luckily, some tools can protect you from these dangers, like a robust VPN.

However, there are also disadvantages in using VPN, and you must be aware of both pros and cons before making a decision. First, let’s look at the pros.

Advantages Of Using A VPN

Secures Data

When you browse the internet, your data goes through different servers in different locations. And as you access different sites all over the globe, your data, including personal data like passwords, financial information, private messages, and more, goes along for the ride. 

An unencrypted data is a fair game for third parties, like government agencies, cybercriminals, and even your internet service provider (ISP). And when you’re using an unsecured Wi-Fi network, the risk increases even more. Keep in mind that an unsecured Wi-Fi network, especially the public ones, is the playground of hackers. 

A VPN encrypts your data so that you’d be protected from a third party’s prying eye. VPNs that can provide premium service use encryption algorithms that are virtually indecipherable, guaranteeing your anonymity online.        

Gives You Online Privacy

Whatever you do and wherever you browse online, you always leave a kind of digital footprint, so anyone who can access these ‘footprints’ can learn much about your browsing habits. Your data is especially valuable to digital marketers. ISPs often eavesdrop on their clients' data and sell them to third parties - for example, to companies who’d parse your data for marketing purposes. Your info will likely be fed to various analytics tools. 

If you don’t care for any of that and wish to preserve the privacy of your browsing habits, a VPN will encrypt your online activities and prevent anyone else from knowing about them. 

Bypass Geoblocks 

Online services and websites may not be available for access in certain locations for several reasons - political, legal, or commercial. ISPs can impose restrictions based on the location of users’ IP addresses. But a VPN will route your traffic via a remote server, masking your IP address. You can pick a server from any location you want to circumvent geoblocks.

Anyone who checks your IP address will see your IP as coming from another country. This feature is particularly useful when you want to access content not accessible in your location, but accessible in another. 

You can also bypass a firewall with the help of a VPN. If your IP address, for example, is blocked and can’t access a website, such as a news portal, this VPN feature will be a great help.     

No Bandwith Throttling

ISPs sometimes limit their client’s bandwidth during peak hours. They’d also do this when you’re torrenting, gaming, or streaming. This practice is called bandwidth throttling. You can avoid this practice by using VPN to encrypt your traffic, which would effectively conceal your activities from your ISP.

Disadvantages Of Using VPN

Sure, having a VPN is the bee’s knees, but not always. There are several disadvantages of using a VPN. That’s why you must do some research first, as there are VPN providers that may not live up to your expectations. Below are a few of these disadvantages. 

May Slow Down Internet Connection

A VPN’s features, like routing your internet connection through other servers and the data encryption process, can make your internet connection crawl. So, you have to make sure that your VPN of choice has features that are capable of serving you without having to slow down your connection.

Not All VPNs Are Secure

Free VPNs are often unsafe, and their security protocols can range from weak to non-existent. Remember that on the internet, if a website or an app is free, it means you, the user, are the product. A site doesn’t spend all its resources to deliver content or services to you for free. They do it because they’re selling your information to others. Moreover, free VPNs have a much smaller server infrastructure. This results in traffic congestion and your internet will slow down considerably.

Premium VPNs Can Be Pricey

Subscription for premium VPNs can be costly. But considering the potential savings your business can enjoy, a VPN could eventually pay its way. After all, your security and peace of mind are certainly worth the investment.

No Protection Against Voluntary Data Collection

At the end of the day, you’re still the one responsible for your data protection. A VPN can’t protect you if you voluntarily give information to Google, Facebook, or others. The only one who can protect you from unsafe browsing behavior is you. So, be careful when you’re freely giving information to the internet. Leaks and data breaches can occur, even to internet giants.     

Conclusion

A VPN can protect you from the most odious attacks that could result in an unsecured connection. It could also protect your privacy, bypass geoblocks, and avoid having your internet throttled. On the other hand, a VPN can slow down your connection. Also, VPNs can be costly, and although there are free VPNs, they might do more harm than good.

At the end of the day, it's the user who gets to decide if the advantages of using a VPN, especially to a business, outweigh the disadvantages. Considering the high price that an unsecured connection can cost you, a VPN may be worth the money.