The internet is more dangerous than ever these days, with numerous cyber threats and security risks. There is only one surefire way to use the internet privately: a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. VPNs are more useful than ever before, whether you want to stream region-specific content or set up a secure home office environment.

If you are thinking of using a VPN free online or wondering if it’s the right solution for you, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down the uses and limitations of VPNs and whether a VPN will suit your needs.

You might be wondering, how does a VPN work?

A Virtual Private Network is a secure private connection that links your device to a server. Your device will then access the internet using the information from that server rather than its own network information. Any website that tracks user data would then see data from the VPN server rather than your device.

VPN use cases

According to the ​​Security.org annual VPN consumer report, most individuals used a VPN in 2022 for general security, general privacy, and as a job requirement. VPNs aren’t limited to these use cases – they have several advantages depending on what online activities individuals like to do. 

Access blocked websites

You may be prevented from accessing specific corners of the internet for a variety of reasons. Everything comes down to your IP address, which tells sites whether or not to provide you access to their material. Website blocking is generally caused by numerous website and governmental policies. Whatever the reason, it can be irritating if you are trying to look something up online or potentially harmful if a government is censoring what users can see. 

A VPN can allow you to resolve blocks such as workplace or school restrictions to mass censorship where governments limit the flow of information on social networking sites such as Twitter.

Bypass geo-restrictions

This is the main advantage of VPNs for many internet users. Imagine you are now in the UK and want to watch your favorite show. You won’t be able to access the US Netflix library from outside of America. Unless, of course, you use a VPN to switch servers and fool the platform into believing you’re streaming from the States.

If you want to stream everything from movies to live sports, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in your chosen country even if you are not physically there. 

Playing online games 

VPNs are beneficial if you are an avid online gamer. Bandwidth throttling is a problem many gamers face. If your internet service provider detects unusual activity from your IP address, such as excessive gaming or streaming, they may purposefully slow your internet connection.

Fortunately, utilizing a VPN is a simple solution to circumvent bandwidth throttling. Since a VPN anonymizes your internet activities, your ISP won’t be able to determine what you’re doing online and therefore won’t be able to limit your connection as a result. 

Moreover, You can access game servers in otherwise inaccessible locations by hiding your IP address in a VPN cloak. You will also be protected from malicious hackers and DDoS (distributed denial of service) assaults, which are a significant threat when it comes to professional gaming.

Potential drawbacks

As with anything else, there are perks and cons. Knowing the disadvantages and limitations of VPNs will allow you to make better decisions regarding your browsing experience, security, and privacy. 

Slower internet speeds

The encryption process and relaying your communication through remote servers can cause your internet connection to slow down. However, most internet users will not notice a difference. It may have an impact on you if you’re doing something that demands a lot of bandwidth or a quicker connection. For example, gamers who wish to play online multiplayer games should investigate the best VPNs for gaming to avoid lag.

Connection breaks

A kill switch is a function that many VPN providers have in their software. This is a handy feature – If your connection to the VPN server is lost, you will lose the protection and privacy that your VPN provides. From that point on, your online activity is connected to your IP address.

To prevent this, the kill switch quickly disconnects your full internet connection and only restores it once your connection to the VPN is restored. Of course, the consequence is that you’ve lost your internet connection.

It might be illegal

This will only be a disadvantage based on your location because VPNs are prohibited or severely restricted in many countries. Even if VPNs are legal in your own country, you should double-check local regulations when traveling to ensure you understand what you are and aren’t permitted to do.