Privacy & Security 3 min. read

4 essential reasons you should download a VPN today

4 essential reasons you should download a VPN today

VPN stands for virtual private network. It’s a type of software that adds security to a network by encrypting your data traffic. In today’s world, where data breaches and ransomware attacks are an everyday occurrence, using a VPN is considered a necessity to keep your devices and your private data safe. So why use a VPN? Here are four essential reasons you need to know. 

Why use a VPN?

1. Data security and privacy

By design, a VPN encrypts your data traffic over a network. Instead of going through the normal network’s channels, all communications between you and your network travel via your VPN’s secure servers. So, say you want to visit a specific website. Your data travels via the VPN’s servers where it switches out your IP address and scrambles your data. 

Thus, VPNs are the ultimate privacy and security tool. 

With a VPN, it will be all-but-impossible for hackers to access your information. You still need to be vigilant even with a VPN, of course, but this should be your first line of online defense to protect you and your family.

2. Anonymous browsing

Another major advantage of a VPN is that it makes you completely anonymous on the internet. How does it do this? A VPN creates an encrypted ‘tunnel’ from your device to the VPN’s secure servers, thereby eliminating the risk of being tracked by cyberspies.

A VPN also conceals your real IP address and replaces it with an IP address from a totally different location. With a VPN, your actual location is not visible to anyone, which is critical if you’re logged onto unsecured, free public WiFi—like at a coffee shop or airport—where hackers like to hunt unsuspecting victims.

3. Access to restricted content

There are countries that block certain websites due to their content, like China banning access to Facebook. If you’re in a place where sites like YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Minecraft, Fortnite, Netflix, and other apps, services and games are blocked, then download a VPN.

By using a VPN, you can bypass a network administrator’s content firewalls and filters so that you can enjoy all the content you desire. For example, if you can’t access Netflix because you’re in a country that doesn’t allow it, all you need to do is activate your VPN and set your VPN’s IP address to one in the U.S. You’ll now be able to watch Netflix like you normally would at home, no matter where you are in the world. It also works at schools or offices where sites like Facebook or gaming apps may be blocked.

A VPN will bypass all sorts of content restrictions, even helping people fight back against global censorship.

why use a vpn

4. Malware protection

The best way to safeguard your information on public WiFi is by activating your VPN before establishing a connection. With a VPN, you’re protected against hackers injecting ransomware, phishing software, or any other kind of malware into your system. Plus, a VPN like Hotspot Shield’s app on Android has a Malware Protection feature that can scan your device in real-time and alert you of any viruses. You can delete any malware there and then from within the Hotspot Shield app

To beef up your data security and privacy, download Hotspot Shield VPN today for free. VPNMentor rates Hotspot Shield as one of the best free VPNs. With its high-end encryption protocols, Hotspot Shield will keep your data private and your network secure at all times, so you can keep your family safe.

Take a more proactive approach to secure your information. Download Hotspot Shield now.

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