Should I always use a VPN and keep it on all the time?

VPNs are a great way to protect your data from hackers and data collectors. It allows you to unblock all content around the world and keeps your browsing activities private.

Although you can connect to a VPN server from many situations, it is not mandatory that you use it.

You should be connected to a VPN at all times. It can be turned on or off depending upon the circumstances. There are certain situations where it should be used.

Let’s look at some situations where you should always have a VPN.

Why you should use a VPN

A VPN is essential in certain situations. It is best to have a VPN on all times in these situations.

This is why you should use a VPN.

Unblocking content

A VPN can be used to deblock geo-restricted content. Only websites available in your country can be accessed. If you wish to bypass censorship, you should use a VPN.

This is particularly useful for tourists. Some countries do not allow you to access websites such as Instagram, Google, and Facebook. This problem can be solved by turning a VPN on. It is the best and most secure method to access blocked content.

Watch Streaming videos

Geo-restricted video content may include live TV, movies and TV shows. You will need a VPN to stream these videos on Netflix, Hulu and Hotstar. YouTube may sometimes display a message saying that the video is unavailable in your country.

You can only stream videos by connecting to a VPN server. Your IP address is what blocks some streaming services from allowing you to access their content. VPNs change your IP address, making it appear that you are from another country. If your true IP address is revealed, streaming services can interrupt your stream. It is vital that you do not have VPN on while streaming.

When torrenting

It is illegal to share or download copyrighted files via torrents or P2P applications. This law is particularly strict in the US, and certain European countries. Many ISPs monitor their users’ internet activity to find torrenting. You could be fined a lot if they catch you torrenting.

To protect yourself from torrenting, you should use a VPN. It will change your IP address to hide torrenting activity from your ISP. A VPN should always be on when downloading via P2P. Any data leakage or IP leak while transferring files can lead to trouble. Extreme cases could lead to your device being confiscated.

It is recommended to turn on the Internet Kill Switch to prevent IP address exposure. This would prevent IP leaks from occurring if VPN is disconnected.

While browsing on public WiFi

You may find yourself surfing the web at airports, hotels, and cafes. These Wi-Fi networks can be dangerous, and you run the greatest risk of being snooped upon.

Public networks are often overlooked in terms of security. They are attractive targets for hackers and stalkers. A VPN is a good way to protect your credentials and personal data from being stolen. Your VPN should be on at all times when you browse with your smartphone or laptop.

Do you need to keep your VPN on?

We talked about the critical situations that VPNs are essential. Do you really need to be connected all the time in your everyday life? It all depends on your personal preferences. Let’s clarify: Do you need a VPN?

While surfing on a smartphone

It increases data consumption when browsing mobile data using a VPN. It creates data overhead and uses strong encryption. These data count towards your data cap for your mobile plan.

A VPN that is always active would make it easier to reach your mobile data limit. It is worth considering if you are looking to save some data.

However, even on a mobile device your connections are not secure without a VPN. Your cellular data provider will see the location you connect. If you are concerned about your privacy, a VPN can be turned on even though it uses more data.

A WiFi connection is always a good idea for your smartphone. You don’t have to worry about losing your mobile data. You would also be able to protect your personal information while using a VPN.

For online payments

Sometimes, a VPN can help you get a better deal when shopping online. Because prices vary in different countries, this is why you might get a better deal by using a VPN. This is often true for subscriptions, hotel bookings, and plane tickets. If you are able to get a lower price, you may be able to connect to other countries for exploration.

A VPN is not required for regular online payments. Payment transactions are usually already secured and managed by payment providers.

If your ISP throttles you connection

Your ISP may throttle you if you experience slow streaming speeds or gaming. Your bandwidth is reduced when your ISP sees a connection to a particular website or server.

Because torrenting, streaming and gaming use the most data, it is common to throttle them. A VPN will encrypt and hide traffic from your ISP. It would be impossible for your ISP to see where you are connecting and it would prevent you from being throttled.

Concerned about privacy

Personal preferences will dictate whether or not you use a VPN to protect your privacy. Your VPN should be on at all times if you want to hide browsing activity from advertisers and ISPs. A VPN will protect your browsing data, no matter whether you use it on your smartphone or at home.

You can disable it if you don’t care about our browsing habits and personal data.

Connect to a business network

A VPN is recommended to protect your company data and information. Secure remote connections may be available for some companies. You should be as secure as you can, whether you are a remote worker or business owner.

Conclusion

A VPN is not necessary in all situations. You should consider using a VPN if you are concerned about your privacy.

VPNs are essential for unblocking content and hiding torrenting.

These are the best VPNs you can use: