It is a safe statement that the world is fully engrossed in the online world.
No matter who you are or what part of your world, the internet has taken a focal point in all our lives. Recent reports have found that over 5 billion people are internet users, using it for so many aspects of their daily routine.
Whether going online to gain information and carry out research, communicating with your friends and family, accessing entertainment platforms, or buying things through e-commerce, the internet plays an integral part in everything.
As the internet and the online space have become more synonymous with human beings, the negative aspects have arisen just as the positive ones have. The risks, dangers, traps, and pitfalls of going online have shown themselves even more recently, increasing the risk of going online tenfold.
The threats that pose to normal online users have grown in size and reached new levels of complexity and advancement. It can be in the form of infamous third parties, like Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and online advertisers, who aim to collect and sell user data without any form of consent or notice – data has rapidly become more and more valuable with the online shift, and data is almost worth as much as oil now.
It could even be through cyber criminals. The number of hackers, cybercriminals, and scammers online has grown, and they are firing all different attempts of malicious attacks to cause data breaches and attack online users for financial gain.
Protecting yourself online and ensuring your security remains tight and secure is crucial to going online regularly with peace of mind. Thankfully, with tools like a free VPN for Windows, anyone can get something on their computer that can add a whole new layer of protection to their computer.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or a virtual private network, is an online tool usually subscribed to as a service that encrypts all your online data and internet traffic, rerouting your network through one of the VPN servers.
This will also make your internet traffic appear like it is coming from somewhere that is not your real-life location, which is a massive advantage in many ways. By having your IP address masked, you can operate online more anonymously and bypass annoying geographical restrictions.
VPNs protect your online safety and security, stopping nefarious third parties and external organizations from monitoring your online activity and collecting your data.
A VPN will operate using military-grade encryption on your internet traffic, ensuring that no cybercriminals, hackers, or third parties can monitor your actions. VPNs also give the user an encrypted connection when using public wi-fi, a huge benefit to someone who wants to work away from home but is scared of the enormous lack of security that most public internet connections have.
A VPN is a perfect tool for a remote worker. They can use the internet as if they were in any country of their choosing, getting past restrictions and censorship while maintaining their online security and safety.
Why Do People Use a VPN for Windows?
When using the Windows operating system, it can make sense to take advantage of any available security tools and software. The big question is, why would a Windows user start using a VPN? Here are the three key reasons:
- Being anonymous online – when you use a VPN, you ensure that your online activities and the sites you visit remain private. Many prying eyes want to see where you go and what you do when it comes to the internet; that can be groups like internet service providers, online businesses, and advertisers. It can also be cyber criminals who want to gain data on you before an attack.
- Boosting your security – VPNs do a tremendous job of ensuring you are secure when you are online. By hiding your IP address and keeping your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, it is more or less impossible for cybercriminals and third parties to use this data. Without this data, they cannot sell and store your data or launch attacks on your network.
- Get past geographical restrictions – VPNs give you the power to place your online connection from anywhere in the world, and this can get you access to content you were previously blocked from accessing. A good example can be found on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, as they alter your streaming library based on where you are. Want to get more Japanese or Korean TV shows? You can use a VPN server in those countries and get a considerable amount of more content.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Windows for Free
When you are going through the process of picking a VPN for your Windows device, you should look at a multitude of factors beforehand. These can range from the level of encryption, the number of servers on offer, and even the availability and quality of customer support. You should also check if the VPN provider keeps track of your online activities, which significantly impacts your online privacy.
The best way to pick your VPN for Windows is to go and look through online reviews and compare all the VPNs against a decision criteria. What does the VPN accomplish best? What are its weaknesses? Does it fulfill your most crucial goal online?
If you follow the above and ensure that the VPN you pick is strong in encryption, has servers across the globe, and has an excellent online reputation, you will be on to a winner.
