There are two sides to a coin, meaning that there are both benefits and disadvantages associated with valuable tools like VPNs.
While traveling, staying connected to the internet is crucial for communication, access to information, and navigation. This means that travelers have to rely on and connect to unfamiliar or public networks since they are away from the jurisdiction of their home wifi or other familiar internet access. However, there are multiple risks associated with the use of public wifi, including security and privacy breaches. While avoiding public networks is inevitable, travelers can play safe using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). No matter where you are in the world or the public wifi you connect to at the airport, hotel, or restaurant, a VPN is instrumental in protecting your data and overall online presence. Here are 4 benefits of using a VPN when traveling.
Enhanced security: The primary function of a VPN is to encrypt your data and conceal your location, which ultimately adds a solid layer of protection against cybercriminals. Public wifis, which most travelers rely on, are generally insecure and susceptible to cyberattacks. These hackers may steal your password, banking details, or other sensitive information.
To avoid such an unpleasant situation, a VPN will filter one’s data so criminals cannot decipher the information. The end-to-end security the Virtual Prive Networks provides users is a perk many seek. The assurance that file transfers, emails, voice calls, video chats, and all data are encrypted at both ends while using a VPN is a relief. In the current pandemic of data leaks, VPNs serve as a kind of shield to all sorts of communication over the internet.
Accessibility: As a traveler, a VPN could help bypass geo-restrictions on certain websites. For instance, a US resident traveling to Mainland China will not have access to YouTube as the Chinese government has placed a ban on the website and some other international online services.
However, a VPN hides IP addresses, filters the users’ location, and enables them to access their preferred websites. Notably, VPNs not only give access to banned online platforms but also increase the chances of continuous access to the same content when you travel out of the US.
Some TV shows and movies are limited to just US views, which means that travelers may miss out on their favorite shows when they are on a trip. A VPN offers a solution to this challenge/hiccup. VPNs also allow gamblers to access the offshore casinos listed here and other gambling sites that may not be available in the country they are visiting. While there are many countries and states that do not allow the use of online casinos, these sites are licenced overseas and can generally be accessed from anywhere in the world. But, many players use VPNs for an added layer of privacy and security when accessing them from countries with restrictive gambling laws.
Bypassing censorship: While many social media platforms are allowed in the US, there are restrictions to this same online platform in other countries. In other words, content creators who leave the comfort of their homes to go to such countries will have no access till their return. However, a VPN could be the solution to this hindrance as long as it is legal in the jurisdiction. This tool will hide its user’s IP addresses and bypass filters or firewalls that block social media platforms to bypass censorship. However, VPNs are not legal in all countries, so users must be careful when using a VPN for this purpose.
Cheap travelling deals: Many travel websites adjust their prices for flights, hotels, and others based on the current location of the website visitor. Using a VPN may allow travelers to compare prices to choose the best deal. Also, flight prices tend to increase once they detect multiple visits on the websites, which can be averted with the use of a VPN. Anyone traveling or preparing may change their locations each time they visit the travel websites for hotel bookings, car rentals, and flight bookings. There could also be some region-specific discounts that a traveler can take advantage of for their next trip.
As usual, there are two sides to a coin, meaning that there are both benefits and disadvantages associated with valuable tools like VPNs. Travelers who want to use any of these Virtual Private Networks must be aware of the associated risks by following the guidance of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Selecting and Hardening Remote Access VPNs.
It is a traveler’s responsibility to find out what the law says about its use in their country’s destination. While even the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agrees that VPNs protect against cybercriminals, it is perhaps not worth the risk if they are banned in the country you are visiting.
