We have had the opportunity to talk to you about VPN services very often. We've explained what a VPN is and what you need, and we've delved into the use of virtual private networks. And by now the definition should be quite clear, that is, a service for connecting to the internet through the so-called tunnels, secure and encryption-subject connection methods, with which devices access the network usually by means of a client. For the complete and detailed definition, we invite you to retrieve the guides linked above, while here we want to give you five reasons why it is worth using a VPN. In the various comments to our guides, many of you have expressed doubts about the actual usefulness of a VPN service and, if it is true that not all users have the need to use it, it is equally true that there are several use cases that make the use of a virtual private network a fairly fundamental requirement, if not essential. How a VPN works at a glance Who really needs a VPN? At this point, let's briefly answer the question that many of you have asked yourself, namely who really needs a VPN. First of all, a VPN service can be extremely useful to those who are abroad for study or work reasons but do not want to miss the opportunity to watch their favorite streaming content in their own language. As you know by now, the catalogs of services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney Plus vary depending on the geographical area. As a result, you will not find content in Italian if, for example, you are in the USA, since you will have access to that catalog. On the other hand, the content itself also changes, for example based on distribution rights, so you may not be able to see certain episodes in another country. Or, let's face it, you might even want to watch something not yet available in Italy, content to watch it in English. In any case, in order to access catalogs that do not correspond to your actual physical location, you will have to use a VPN, which will make sure that the tracking systems of the streaming platforms recognize your connection coming from one or another area of the planet, through the management of IP addresses and connection to VPN servers. ADVERTISING Still on the subject of travel, a VPN is useful for those who often travel for work and perhaps connect to the public Wi-Fi networks of airports and hotels. Since these are not exactly secure connections, it is not advisable to access your home banking, for example, since the connection could be intercepted by malicious people. The VPN creates an encrypted tunnel that helps you keep your traffic safe. The same can be said for those who travel to countries where access to the Internet and the services we take for granted, such as Google and social networks, are regulated by very strict laws and restrictions. The use cases are many, and it would be long and tedious to treat them all in this way, that's why we have compiled a list of the 5 reasons why you should use a VPN, in which practically all the most common situations in which it is appropriate to equip yourself with such a service fall. Top 5 Reasons to Use a VPN 1. Protect privacy and anonymity As we said, connecting from the lobby of your hotel or through a public access point could put privacy and anonymity at risk. These are more vulnerable networks than a private or corporate network, for this reason, subjecting your data traffic to the encrypted tunnel of a VPN helps you to "armor" your data, especially the most sensitive ones such as the credentials of your home banking, or access to your work email box, considered confidential. This point is one of those always mentioned among the main benefits associated with the use of a VPN. 2. Avoid censorship The immediately preceding point is linked to the discourse of censorship. Not all countries consider access to the web as a universal right, and in some places, in addition to heavy restrictions on the use of the Internet, there is also a heavy censorship that, for example, obscures entire sites and services, such as Google or Facebook. If for one reason or another you are in such a place, a VPN is essential to use web services without risking suffering unpleasant consequences. If you fall into sensitive categories, such as political activists or journalists, you should choose the VPN service more carefully, since not all of them guarantee the same level of protection. For example, you might consider one of the best VPNs for China, if this is your next destination. 3. Unlock geolocated content As we said, each territory has its own catalog in the field of streaming services. This is due to the fact that distribution rights, localization, and so on vary by country. As a result, if you want to access an international catalog, or simply want to enter the Italian catalog while you are abroad, a VPN is the only way you can do this. Keep in mind that this practice is not welcomed by the platforms, in fact mechanisms are often adopted to make it more difficult to access accounts via VPN, for example by creating a blacklist of IP addresses or more sophisticated systems. Netflix is particularly fierce from this point of view, therefore, you need to choose the VPN carefully if your priority goal is, precisely, streaming. A good place to start can be our guide to the best VPNs for Netflix. 4. Save on flights You may already know, but the final price of a flight changes depending on the geographical location from which you make your reservation. For this reason, by using a VPN, with the foresight to delete cookies and use the Anonymous / Incognito mode between one search and another, you can book your next flights while also saving good figures. Keep in mind that some airlines and aggregators have adopted systems to thwart the use of VPNs, so you may have to make several attempts before finding the right service. 5. Surf faster It sounds counterintuitive, as VPNs can usually slow down your connection, depending on the server and protocol you choose, however, using a VPN in certain contexts can improve your connection. One example above all is the bypass of ISP traffic. If you are on the road and you are browsing from a very congested network because there are so many people connected, using a VPN will allow you to get around the problem by switching from a freer server. In this way, you can watch your content without continuous buffering interruptions and improve your browsing experience in general. Other use cases There are other reasons why it's worth using a VPN, such as protecting yourself from your ISP's data collection, for example. The navigation data are kept for a certain period of time defined by the reference regulations. In Italy, this period varies from 6 months to 2 years depending on the case, so using a VPN that implements an excellent no-logs policy (always check the terms of service and make sure that independent security audits have been done) helps you not to leave a trace of your activities. Another case, although it may sound strange to you, is gaming. In fact, VPNs can protect you during your gaming sessions against possible breaches and attacks, but they could also allow you to try titles not yet available on our territory. And, in fact, some VPNs could also improve your network performance, reducing ping and increasing speed in both download and upload. If you want to delve deeper, we invite you to read our guide to the best VPNs to play. Conclusion If you recognize yourself in one or more of these use cases, considering buying a VPN is definitely advisable. Above, we have recommended various guides to consult, which could help you in choosing according to the use you plan to make of it. In any case, we want to conclude this article by recommending our top 3 general VPNs, which also stand out for their versatility.
Surfshark, ideal for beginners Of all the VPNs we've tried, Surfshark is the one that caters best to novice users, thanks to user-friendly interfaces and quick settings. In addition, if you want to try it risk-free, there is a guarantee of a full refund within 30 days, all for just over 2 euros per month if you subscribe to a 24-month subscription.