Do I need a VPN at home?

Modern technologies have made life much easier, but they have also created a whole new type of risk associated with using tech in our daily lives. Unless you are using a VPN, you are exposed to multiple interested parties trying to gather as much information about you as possible for business, personal use, and everything in between.

Did you know that even when you browse the web privately, your internet service provider(ISP) can still see your online activity? And considering that we store most of our important information online and conduct most activities through the internet, having privacy online is as crucial as ever. So here’s what you should know to decide whether or not you should be using a VPN at home.

Should I be using a VPN at home?

The short answer is - yes, you need to have VPN even at home. VPN ensures that no one, not even your internet service provider gets access to your browsing history or data. Having a VPN is the best way to guarantee privacy online.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. When you browse online using a VPN your data gets encrypted and is redirected through a VPN server, guaranteeing your anonymity. Nothing you do online can be traced back to you. While most of us think that what we do online can be anonymous, the reality is that without a VPN, all your data is at risk, even when you are using Wi-Fi at home. 

The issue of online privacy is becoming more and more relevant and more and more talked about because people are waking up to all the risks coming from authorities or companies trying to analyze your online behaviors in order to use them for their own personal gains. The sooner you decide to get a VPN, the better it will be for your overall security.

Without a VPN, you are exposed to multiple threats and your privacy and security are at risk at all times. Your Internet Service Provider will not hesitate to hand over your personal information to a company or an entity that will pay enough money, so staying anonymous online is as valuable as ever. 

Do VPNs provide online security?

VPNs do provide online security through their servers. To understand the process better, here’s a detailed breakdown of how VPNs work to protect you and your data. 

When you use a VPN, it encrypts your data and everything you do online. 

This means that no one, not even your Internet Service Provider or a cybercriminal will be able to see your online activity or use your personal data. You can surf online safely, knowing that you are protecting yourself and your data by using a VPN.

Is it worth it to use VPN at home?

If you care about privacy and do not believe that it is right that your private browsing habits and information could be sold to big tech corporations without you even knowing about it, then yes, VPN is a great investment for anyone who uses the internet and stores a lot of valuable information online. Some people might be hesitant to use a VPN at home because they believe that their home network is an exception. The sad reality is that all networks can easily be targeted by hackers, authorities, or even ISPs. 

But VPN has many other positive attributes aside from granting security and privacy to its users. 

Using a VPN can help you avoid various network restrictions and firewalls that monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and can sometimes block you from accessing information. When using a VPN, you can easily surpass these obstacles, because, in order for the firewalls to restrict access, they need to actually see where the movement is coming from. If you are using a VPN, then the movement can not be traced back to you, which can help you avoid firewalls.

You will also be able to access your favorite TV Shows or movies that might not be available in your country. This can easily be one of the most annoying things about streaming services, but it can be avoided by using a VPN. You just have to select a country that is different from yours and see the other options for entertainment. 

Not only does VPN provide security and safety, but it also makes browsing the internet more comfortable giving you more options and helping you avoid restrictions. 

Should I be using a VPN on my other devices?

You might think that the only device that is vulnerable to attacks is your laptop but actually all devices that connect you to Wi-Fi can be hacked and you should have a VPN on all the devices you use to browse the internet. 

This is especially crucial for phones since we often forget the security for five minutes of internet surfing while using public WiFi. Public WiFis are extremely risky to use and are often vulnerable to attacks from hackers. This means that every time you connect to the public WiFi you risk exposing your data to hackers or other interested third parties who could misuse your data in a variety of ways. So it’s important to stay protected across all devices. 

Should I be using a VPN at work?

If you are working at an office job, your employer should definitely provide you with a VPN, since it is in companies’ best interest to keep the employees as well as the valuable data that is often shared through the internet protected. On the other hand, if you are an employer, protecting your employees should be one of your top priorities. It is extremely common for hackers to access valuable information about an entire company through one vulnerable spot. You should not risk your privacy and security and should invest in a good VPN for your business. 

What are the risks of browsing online without a VPN?

You could be exposing your personal information to a third party, without even knowing. Browsing online without a VPN means that at any point your online activity could be visible to someone without your consent and there is no way for you to know whether or not someone is looking at your online activity right now. This could even include your location, putting your and your loved ones at risk. You need to be mindful of who can see your location on any of the devices you use to browse the web. VPN is a great way to take care of that problem once and for all and ensure that no one can see your whereabouts without your consent. BlufVPN has server locations in over 60 countries and you can choose which one fits your current needs the best. 

How to choose the right VPN?

Since cyber security has become such an important topic, the amount of companies offering VPN services has also grown. It has gotten increasingly more difficult to choose the right VPN. Here's what to look for when in a good VPN Service. 

The service should be affordable and offer multiple payment options. Since VPNs are something that most people will be using for a long time, it's essential that you can find a payment plan that works for you. 

A good VPN should not slow down your browsing speed and should not have data caps. It’s important that having a VPN does not result in lags and slow internet speed. 

It should also have Rock-solid encryption in order to do what VPN is supposed to do - protect your data. BlufVPN uses the world-class security protocols that are used in Nasa. 

Kill Switch is also essential for VPNs. Kill Switch ensures that if your connection to one of the servers drops, you won’t be able to access the internet. This protects your data from being leaked or becoming accessible.

It is also important that the company has a No Log policy, meaning that your anonymity is not compromised under any conditions. A dependable VPN company should not keep any logs.

Clearly, there are a lot of small details that eventually make up a great secure system, protecting you from hackers, or just any other third party trying to get their hands on your personal information or your browsing history and habits. 

VPNs are likely going to become more and more essential with each passing year, as more people become aware of the unfair conditions of surfing the web. If you weren’t convinced yet, hopefully, this article has highlighted all that needs to be considered when going online and how to ensure that you are not actually putting yourself in danger by refusing to use the tool available for your online safety.