| Updated: January 17, 2025
We may earn affiliate commissions for the recommended products. Learn more.
VPN are the most usefull tool if you are into streaming, accessing restricted websites, care about your online privacy and security, etc.
However, if you casually browse the internet and use social media applications, you won’t need a VPN. Here are a few advantages of having a VPN.
This article will highlight the key benefits of using a VPN with examples and use cases.
Adapting to a VPN is essential in today’s online work and insecure world. While VPNs offer significant advantages, they aren’t necessary for everyone. Many users rely on VPNs to access geo-restricted content, hide their online activities, and evade surveillance to make the most of this technology.
However, if you don’t need to change your IP address for streaming, bypass censorship, or similar purposes, a VPN may not be right for you. It could add extra costs and may even reduce your internet speed.
This article will discuss the advantages of using VPNs in today’s world. Are they really worth the cost, and how can you get the best out of a VPN?
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is software that is used to change your IP address so you can access restricted websites, applications, and content. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your devices and the VPN server by using VPN protocols like WireGurad, OpenVPN, etc.
Your data is encrypted using AES-256 encryption or ChaCha20 in the WireGuard protocol. These VPN protocols and ciphers help secure your data during transit, ensuring that even if the VPN tunnel is compromised, your ISP or government won’t be able to see your activities.
I have observed that in 2024, people use VPN for these four purposes:
I have discussed every point in detail with use cases. So you can decide if a VPN is worth the cost.
A VPN can be useful to users who are conscious about their online security and privacy. However I personally use VPN to change my Netflix library or access Hulu from outside the United States.
Here are a few benefits of using a VPN, discussed with examples:
The basic purpose of a VPN is to make sure you are protected online. It does this by hiding your IP address and protecting your data.
Without a VPN, your ISP and the government will know your online activities, like which websites you are visiting and what kind of files you are sharing.
A VPN will hide your IP address from your ISP and the websites you are visiting, making you completely anonymous. However, if you reside in a country that has restricted or banned VPNs, check out our guide on testing a VPN before you start using it.
Most modern VPNs use OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols to ensure the highest level of data encryption.
—Why is data encryption necessary?
Data encryption is essential because, if the secure VPN tunnel between your device and the VPN server is ever breached, your data remains protected. Although breaches have occurred in the past, encrypted data was safeguarded from unauthorized use, as it remained unreadable and unusable.
You don’t have to worry about data breaches with your data encrypted with modern VPN protocols and encryption. I recommend every VPN user to enable the kill switch whenever they use VPN for a double layer of security.
With advancements in device and operating system security, accessing public Wi-Fi networks has become somewhat safer. However, risks remain, as hackers can breach data, and the Wi-Fi network manager can monitor your activities.
Therefore, I recommend using a reliable VPN, which will keep you anonymous online and encrypt your data. I suggest using a VPN when dealing with sensitive information, such as banking and cryptocurrency trading, while connected to public WiFi. Additionally, you can use a dedicated IP for secure online banking and transactions.
A VPN is used for online security and privacy and to access geo-restricted content. As I mentioned above, I use ExpressVPN to change my Netflix library and watch movies and TV shows unavailable in my country.
Last, I watched the Oscar-winning movie Oppenheimer on Netflix, which is only available in Australia, Belgium, and South Korea on Netflix. I used ExpressVPN’s Australian server to access the Australian Netflix library and watched the movie.
Another streaming benefit of a VPN is that you can access geo-blocked content and apps from anywhere in the world. For example, my close friend in Germany asked me for Hulu credentials, but he could not access them because Hulu is only accessible in the United States and Japan.
I recommended NordVPN to him to access Hulu from Germany, and he did that to watch The Handmaid’s Tale. Similarly, you can use the VPN to unblock or access any streaming platform or service. Using a VPN for streaming might decrease your internet speed. Here is a detailed guide to increasing your internet speed with a VPN enabled on your device.
VPN can be a very useful tool if you live in a country with heavy internet regulations. Accessing social media platforms from countries like Iran, Russia, and China is impossible without a VPN.
Additionally, some international websites are blocked in countries with restrictive regimes. Using a secure VPN with a multihop feature and obfuscated servers allows you to bypass VPN blocks, access these websites, and stay informed about global events.
—My experience
I used ExpressVPN to access WhatsApp in the UAE (Dubai). I was genuinely surprised by the Dubai government’s decision to block such a useful app! I researched the reasoning behind it but couldn’t find a concrete, logical explanation.
Torrenting is still around! That’s right—many people still prefer the control that torrenting offers when it comes to watching movies and TV shows. While streaming platforms have largely taken over, torrenting persists, especially in countries with low incomes and citizens who cannot afford subscription services.
Another reason for the decline in torrenting is the continuous crackdown on torrenting platforms and websites. This crackdown, which is against copyright invasion and piracy, is still in progress. I don’t promote downloading pirated files, movies, tv shows, etc, via torrents. Additionally I advise against the use of cracked VPNs for torrenting, because your data wont be seucre.
—My experience
I used to download files via torrent via piratebay.com. In 2012, torrenting was at its peak, and every movie and TV show was uploaded within hours of its release. However, now I prefer streaming over torrenting because of the ease of use and online security.
One of the most underrated and undiscovered advantages of a VPN is that it allows you to take advantage of cheap deals and subscriptions. I have used a VPN to subscribe to Netflix using a Turkish IP address and the Turkish streaming app “tabii” to stream the UEFA Champions League.
Additionally, you can use a VPN to book cheaper flights and hotel rooms. I am already planning a blog on how a VPN can help with travel cost-cutting.
A VPN allows you to play online games restricted in your country and access games with different release dates worldwide. It also offers a quick IP change to rejoin servers if you’re unfairly removed and provides a safer gaming experience overall.
Additionally, you can connect to servers in other countries by changing your IP address. A VPN can also help reduce your ping rate by connecting you to a location closer to the game server.
The most common disadvantage of a VPN is it reduces internet speed by adding a layer of security.
However, if you use good VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, the chances of speed reduction decreases. Here are more disadvantages of using a VPN.
A VPN effectively encrypts your web traffic with a safe and secure tunnel, but it can’t mitigate the risk of your device being infected by malware, viruses, etc.
It will secure your online traffic, but what if you download an infected file on your device? Most hacking attempts and malware attacks are done in this fashion, they will ask you to click on a website or download a software on your system. If your goal is to achieve complete security, invest in a VPN with an antivirus.
A VPN encrypts your data and transmits it through a safe tunnel before it reaches the Internet. But you are still unprotected. Why? Because a VPN can not control your browser settings, which require cookies containing your details.
Additionally, devices with fingerprint login make your VPN useless. In some cases, premium VPNs have been found in data breaches; therefore, we advise users to test their VPNs before using them.
Countries with dictatorial regimes have banned VPNs, and you can face a heavy fine or jail time if caught using a VPN. We have written an extensive guide on the legality of VPNs and how to use them in countries blocking them.
A Paid VPN offers optimum internet speed and secure service. I use NordVPN, which is a premium VPN, and I recommend you do the same.
I don’t criticize all Free VPNs but believe in this basic principle, ‘When something is free, you are the product.’ However if you plan on getting a free or paid VPN, do consider these points.
It depends on your usage. If you’re simply browsing the internet and using social media, you may not need a VPN. However, a VPN offers several advantages, including enhanced online privacy, security, access to restricted websites, and the ability to unblock content.
If you’re on a tight budget, you could consider a free VPN. Just be sure to review the points mentioned earlier and test the VPN before relying on it.
A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for third parties, including ISPs, advertisers, or hackers, to track your online activities.
Yes, a VPN can bypass geo-restrictions by allowing you to connect to servers in different regions. This lets you access websites, apps, and content that may be restricted or blocked in your country.
While a VPN doesn’t prevent hacking directly, it does make your data harder to intercept by encrypting your internet traffic. This makes it more secure, especially on public WiFi networks, where hackers often target users.
In some cases, a VPN can bypass ISP throttling (intentional slowing of your connection), potentially improving your speed for certain activities. However, VPNs can sometimes slow down your connection due to encryption and routing.
A VPN provides secure remote access to company resources, protecting sensitive information from potential data breaches. It’s especially useful for remote employees or those handling confidential data.
Yes, a VPN can help you access different regional pricing for flights, hotels, and online products by changing your virtual location. This can sometimes lead to lower prices.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
