Top 18 Best VPN Uses You Should Know About

Sure, we have all heard it before: “You need a VPN to protect your online privacy.” And while safeguarding your digital data is indeed one of the primary purposes of a Virtual Private Network, this tool has a myriad of other advantages up its sleeve.

Curious about what a VPN can do for you besides the usual? In this guide, we will uncover the best VPN uses (both popular and lesser-known). Whether you are a tech guru or just beginning your VPN journey, there is something new for you to discover.

Things you can do with a VPN: 18 Best VPN Uses 

Here is a list of things you can do with a premium VPN like PureVPN:

1. Stream Geo-Blocked Content 

One of the most compelling reasons to use a VPN is the ability to unblock geo-restricted content. Today’s streaming platforms impose restrictions due to license agreements, distribution rights, and copyright requirements.

Consider Netflix, which offers different content libraries for various countries. Additionally, platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Sling TV are only accessible from specific approved regions. This limitation can be frustrating for viewers eager to access a broader range of content.

Fortunately, a VPN can quickly and easily address this issue. It provides you with a new IP address, making it seem as though you are browsing from an approved region. As a result, you can bypass geographical restrictions and enjoy a variety of streaming options from anywhere.

2. Level Up Your Gaming  

A VPN can enhance your gaming experience in numerous ways. For starters, it can reduce lag spikes or slowdowns caused by ISP throttling. By encrypting your internet connection, a VPN prevents ISPs from detecting heavy usage patterns like gaming, potentially reducing such throttling. 

Additionally, it can decrease latency by optimizing traffic routes and allows you to switch between servers for a seamless gaming experience. 

One of the standout benefits is the ability to access a more extensive collection of games. By connecting to servers in different countries using a VPN, you can play games that might be region-locked or unavailable in your locale.

For instance, game libraries on platforms such as Steam vary from one country to another. Without a VPN, fans might have limited access to certain games. But with a VPN, you can change your region and tap into a wider array of game titles. 

Moreover, a VPN could grant you early access to games released initially in particular regions, cutting down on the wait and offering a more comprehensive gaming adventure

3. Protect Your Real Identity

For many, the primary association with VPNs is privacy, and rightly so. A VPN’s chief role is to shield users and their data, delivering a secure online experience, no matter the activity.

Central to a VPN’s design is robust encryption, often AES-256, paired with a secure protocol. This encryption renders all data transmitted through the VPN unreadable to potential eavesdroppers, be they ISPs trying to monitor or throttle your internet activities or malicious actors aiming to snatch your data.

VPNs ensure security by forming a protected “tunnel” that begins at your device and ends at a server in your chosen region, be it to access Netflix, a geo-restricted social network, or online banking. 

Without a VPN, the data between your device and its destination is vulnerable. But a VPN minimizes this vulnerability by encrypting the data and channeling it through their servers, masking your IP address and other identifying details.

4. Save Money

Ever notice fluctuating prices while shopping online? Especially evident among airline tickets and car rental services, dynamic pricing based on your location and browsing history is more widespread than you might realize.

Planning to buy a digital item – be it software like Adobe Photoshop or a subscription service like Tidal? It is worth taking a pause to scout global prices. Often, vendors adjust prices to cater to different economies, sometimes offering lower rates in countries with lower purchasing power.

However, it is not a given that every low-income country will have the best deals. Searching for the right deal can be a bit of a hit or miss, making it more of an adventurous treasure hunt than an exact calculation. 

That is where a VPN with a vast network of global servers becomes invaluable. Investing in one not only secures your online activities but could also recoup its cost through the savings you make. So, the next time you shop online, remember: a VPN might just be your ticket to snagging the best deals out there!

Related Read: How to Save Money with a VPN in 2024

5. Avoid ISP Restrictions 

Many individuals, especially students or those in specific workplaces, face limitations imposed by their internet providers. These restrictions can block essential websites, curtail in-app purchases, and limit online access time, potentially hindering exploration and learning.

Moreover, the vast world of the internet includes torrenting sites, often discouraged or blocked by ISPs. However, VPNs present a viable means to access these sites for legitimate purposes.

For those seeking a more open online experience or needing access to particular online resources, a VPN provides a solution. It empowers you to navigate the internet with fewer boundaries while ensuring your online activities remain private and secure.

6. Use Public Wi-Fi Safely

While free Wi-Fi is convenient, especially for travelers and those constantly on the move, it often comes with hidden risks. Whether you are in a hotel lobby or a bustling cafe, many public Wi-Fi networks are alarmingly insecure, exposing your personal information to potential threats.

Moreover, hackers employ crafty tactics, setting up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots to deceive users into divulging sensitive details like passwords and credit card numbers.

This is where a VPN proves invaluable. When connected to public Wi-Fi, a VPN encrypts your data traffic. So, even if a hacker intercepts your communication, they are met with a barrage of encrypted code, rendering your personal data safe from prying eyes.

Also read: Public WiFi Security

7. Bypass Bandwidth Throttling

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might throttle or limit your bandwidth, especially during certain activities or peak hours. This results in frustrating internet slowdowns. The remedy? A VPN.

A VPN ensures that your ISP can’t track your online activities and subsequently decide to limit your speed. Although using a VPN might slightly reduce peak speeds, the reduction from ISP throttling can be much more noticeable.

For those dependent on a stable internet connection, a VPN helps maximize the potential of your subscription. It not only guards against speed drops but also shields your online privacy, ensuring your internet usage remains uninhibited by external factors.

8. Avoid Censorship

Internet access is heavily restricted in certain countries like China, Russia, and Iran. Consequently, many widely-used platforms, such as Facebook, Wikipedia, and Google, are blocked. These restrictions often encompass crucial communication tools, including Whatsapp, Viber, and Messenger.

For residents or travelers in these countries, a VPN offers a lifeline to bypass these constraints. By connecting to a VPN server located in a more open country, your internet traffic gets channeled through that server, masking your actual IP address. This allows you to access websites and applications otherwise unavailable due to regional restrictions.

Related Read: How to Bypass Censorship with a VPN in 2024

9. Protect Mobile Devices 

Smartphones and tablets, much like computers, are susceptible to a myriad of online threats, from data breaches to cyberattacks. This highlights the importance of VPNs, which offer dedicated mobile apps to ensure robust protection across all your devices.

These apps act as digital fortresses, securing your internet connection and encrypting your data. This protective layer guarantees that details like personal messages, financial transactions, or browsing habits remain shielded from the watchful eyes of cybercriminals and intrusive entities.

By using a VPN, you can confidently navigate the internet, reassured that your sensitive information and online actions are safeguarded against potential threats.

10. Keep conversations private 

In an age where digital communication dominates, preserving the confidentiality of your messages becomes paramount. While platforms like WhatsApp and Signal have made encryption a priority, others still have catching up to do. In these instances, a VPN steps up as an invaluable tool for ensuring messaging privacy.

By employing a VPN, your internet connection is encrypted, rendering attempts to intercept or eavesdrop on your messages nearly futile. Such encryption guarantees your messages are shared solely between you and the intended party – a crucial feature, especially when accessing unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Moreover, VPNs obscure your IP address, bolstering your online anonymity. This prevents external entities from mapping your messaging patterns, offering an added layer of security. With this, your digital discussions stay shielded from unwanted scrutiny, ensuring personal and sensitive details remain under wraps

11. Use VoiP services 

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, like Skype and Viber, have become essential communication tools, enabling real-time voice and video chats across vast distances. However, while the internet is open by design, certain regions and governments impose restrictions on its use.

A VoiP VPN emerges as a vital solution in this context. For places where VoIP services face constraints or outright bans, a VPN can navigate around these impediments by connecting to servers in unrestricted locations. This ensures users can fully utilize VoIP services, making voice and video conversations smooth and free from censorship.

12. Access work network remotely

Remote access to your organization’s network is essential. However, ensuring the security of this access is equally critical. A VPN is the ultimate solution for securely accessing your work network from anywhere.

With a VPN, you establish a secure and encrypted connection to your company’s network. This encryption ensures that all data transferred between your device and the workplace servers is protected, especially when accessing sensitive documents or confidential information.

Furthermore, a VPN provides an extra layer of authentication and anonymity, safeguarding your remote access from potential security breaches. It prevents unauthorized access and maintains your privacy while connecting to the work network.

Related Read: What is a Remote Access VPN?

13. Circumvent Sports Blackouts

Major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, alongside broadcasters like ESPN and Fox Sports, sometimes enforce blackouts on certain matchups. This ensures only designated local or national networks can air them.

Since blackouts are region-specific, you can get around them with a VPN. By using a VPN, you can appear to be in a different area. So if a Boston Celtics game is blacked out in Boston, just connect to a VPN server outside that location, maybe in Chicago, and you will be able to stream the game without any blackouts.

14. Download Torrents Safely

Torrenting can be like swimming with sharks – risky without the right protection. Sure, a top-notch antivirus helps to keep you safe, but a VPN is also essential.

When you torrent, your IP address is like an open book, visible to anyone, including potential hackers. And let’s not forget ISPs, who are always ready to slow your connection at the slightest hint of P2P action.

That is where a good VPN comes in handy. It hides your original IP address, keeping you off the radar for optimal privacy. Moreover, with your data all encrypted, your ISP is left in the dark, so no more speed throttling.

   

15. Dodge Trackers

Your personal data and internet history are meant to be private, but ISPs and governments often collect this information for various purposes. While some might justify government surveillance, it essentially infringes on your right to personal privacy.

Using a VPN is a straightforward solution to prevent your data from being monitored or collected without your consent. It is not just about government surveillance; ISPs have been known to monetize customer data by selling it to advertisers. 

If you are concerned about targeted ads and want to keep your browsing habits private, a VPN can help you achieve that by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your online activities.

16. Stay Safe While Traveling

When you are off to another country, the internet might not be the same as back home due to different privacy laws and censorship. That is where a VPN can be a game-changer, not just in places with tight controls, but even in more open countries.

With a VPN, you can access the internet just like you do at home, avoiding any confusion while searching online in places like Japan. You can also keep up with your favorite shows from anywhere and keep your data protected, especially when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.

17. Access Home Network Securely

When you are away from home, be it for work or vacation, it is not practical to carry all your hard drives with you. Most of us leave our digital lives primarily on one computer at home, hopefully backed up in a couple of places for safety. 

If you want to dive into your files remotely, ensuring their security is crucial. A smart move is to use a VPN to encrypt your connection when you are accessing your main computer from afar. This keeps your personal information safe, giving you peace of mind while you are on the go.

18. Access Local Sites Abroad

When traveling, you might notice that some websites change content based on your location, sometimes even presenting in a language you do not understand. Using a VPN, you can change your virtual location to your home country, allowing you to access the site as usual.

This feature is particularly handy for online banking. Traveling without notifying your bank could lead to your account being temporarily locked for security reasons. To avoid this, activating your VPN to appear as if you are accessing from home can help keep your account accessible, meaning you will not be penniless overseas.

Things you can’t do with a VPN

VPNs are great at keeping you protected and the list goes on, but there are still some things they can’t help you with:

• Absolute anonymity: While VPNs significantly improve your privacy by masking your IP address and encrypting your online data, they don’t guarantee absolute anonymity on the internet. 

• Full security: VPNs are adept at securing your data during transit using robust encryption methods. However, they are not comprehensive security solutions and can’t protect you from, say, phishing attacks

• Access every website: VPNs excel in bypassing geo-restrictions to grant access to blocked websites. However, they can’t unlock paid content or websites requiring a subscription or payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best VPN to use?

PureVPN is a popular choice for many users due to its strong encryption standards, a vast network of servers around the globe, support for multiple devices, and an audited no-log policy. It is well-suited for streaming, maintaining privacy, and secure browsing, making it one of the best VPNs around. 

What are the benefits of a VPN?

VPNs provide numerous benefits including:

• Protecting data and enhancing online privacy.
• Allowing users to bypass geo-blocks and access content from anywhere.
• Granting access to blocked websites.
• Offering a wider selection of games and improved performance.
• Availing discounts when shopping or booking travel.

What should you not use a VPN for?

While VPNs excel in protecting privacy and data, they shouldn’t be used for illegal activities. This includes activities like hacking, downloading or distributing copyrighted content without permission, or cyberstalking. Using a VPN does not make these activities legal or immune from detection.

Final Word 

VPNs are now a must-have for people who want to stay safe and private online. Our top 12  uses show just how useful they can be. Whether you are watching shows from other countries or keeping your personal details safe, it is important to use VPNs the right way. Always stay within the rules and be respectful online.