Post #10 A VPN – Why Use one? Privacy, Security, & Consumer Reasons…

Wow people, because as some of you may already know, there is a Large amount of info. & sales talk out there about using a VPN during internet use. I will try to break some of it into absorbable thought bites over several posts. The thoughts in these posts are my own personal ones after considering some of my research. They may help your own beginning thoughts as you (recommended) go through your own personal education & decisions on this topic.

VPNs are a large & fast-growing industry/service (even 5 years ago there may have been more than 60 commercial VPN providers, though I found it difficult to find a number). When considering VPN use, it is wise to check if your country (or current travel location…) has laws against using one.

Many now consider a VPN a necessity to keep their online activities more private & secure. There are more reasons to consider using one than I realized; a summary of some of them follows, & I think these relevant to traveling​.

Possible Reasons: for more robust online privacy (of your text messaging, VOIP calls, etc.); to help stop Google tracking if you so wish; for better security of personal information (passwords; if banking online [to be avoided when traveling]; identity info. like your birthdate…) including or maybe especially when using public WiFi; for overcoming geo-blocking restrictions; when buying something online: to avoid the location-based adjusted pricing of some businesses (your VPN likely allows you to choose a VPN server in a different location/country to check on this); to avoid oppressive government censorship (& some countries go to great lengths to detect VPN use; & some VPN providers use obfuscation technology for trying to disguise the VPN usage); to bypass internet restrictions if put in place at certain public locations; and/or for doing anonymous research.