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[VPN]
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) keeps you anonymous online, and thatâs reason enough to use one. But there are other cool ways that a VPN can improve your life too.
Hereâs how a [VPN]( works: It encrypts your internet connection, and then routes it through a server in another location. Itâs like an internet tunnel. Because your connection is encrypted, anyone who intercepts your data canât read it. Because your connection goes through a server, no one can see where you are in the world. You have a fake IP address, and it looks like youâre browsing from the location of the server.
It might sound a bit technical but it's easy to use, and the perks are great. Here are seven cool tricks you can do with a VPN:
1. Stream more stuff
Ever logged in to Netflix in a different country while you're on vacation? You get completely different content. There are all kinds of boring licensing reasons why this is, but it sucks. Some streaming service are only available in a particular country, such as BBC iPlayer. You can beat this system with a VPN and access whatever you want.
The website knows where you are from your IP address. You just need to switch on your VPN and choose a server in the right country. The website will see your fake IP address and thinks youâre in that country. Stream away!
2. Speed up your connection
If youâve heard of net neutrality, youâll know itâs now legal for your internet service provider (ISP) to throttle your connection or block sites. Thatâs not fair. They can slow down your internet if they think youâre using too much bandwidth.
Well, not if youâre using a VPN they canât. When your connection is encrypted, not even your ISP can see what youâre doing. If they canât see what youâre doing, they canât restrict it. Victory for the little guys.
3. Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi
You probably use public Wi-Fi all the time. From airports to coffee shops, we love to jump on free bandwidth. The problem is that these connections often have little or no security. Itâs super easy for a hacker on the same network to intercept your internet traffic. If youâre shopping or banking online then suddenly theyâve got your financial details.
With a VPN your data is strongly encrypted before it leaves your phone or computer. Jonny Hacker can still pull it out of the air, but he won't be able to read it. Problem solved.
4. Save money
Did you know that online prices for hotels, flights, and loads of other things vary depending on which country youâre in? Crazy isnât it?
Switch on your VPN. The website will think youâre somewhere else in the world, and suddenly youâve got a better price. Itâs called geo-spoofing, and it works great.
5. Use P2P securely
Downloading stuff peer to peer (P2P) can be great, but there are also several risks. People youâre sharing with can see your IP address and work out where you are. Cyber-criminals can target you. Your ISP can get upset and restrict your bandwidth.
Just fire up your VPN. No one can see where you are or what youâre doing. You can upload and download to your heartâs content.
6. Browse in peace
Even if youâre not doing anything nefarious, you may want to do things online that wouldnât exactly make your mom proud. At least 49% of the worldâs population knows what Iâm talking about.
You think incognito mode it going to save you? No chance. It might hide the evidence on your computer, but your ISP and other sites are still happily logging your activity.
A VPN gives you the privacy and security you need. No one can monitor you. The best VPN providers donât even keep logs themselves, so thereâs no evidence anywhere.
7. Communicate online better
Maybe Skype is blocked in the country youâre in. Maybe VOIP calls are cheaper if theyâre to a local number. Maybe you donât want anyone to hack into your conversation and eavesdrop.
You can avoid all these issues by encrypting your connection and faking your location. In other words, the VPN special.
Sounds great! Which VPN do I get?
There are hundreds of providers out there. Any VPN does the basics, some are a lot better than others. The worst ones might drop out suddenly, leaving you unprotected. They might limit your bandwidth or downloads. They might keep logs of your online activity to track you.
There are some excellent providers out there too. Our favorite is [ExpressVPN](.
[ExpressVPN]( doesnât keep activity logs. It uses 256-bit encryption, which would take a supercomputer millions of years to crack. It also has a built-in kill switch, which disconnects your internet connection if the VPN goes down for any reason. There's even 24/7 customer support.
"ExpressVPN is the best VPN service weâve tested â Huffington Post"
Itâs also lightening fast. Many VPNs slow your connection significantly. [ExpressVPN]( has over 2000 servers in 94 countries, and most of them showed excellent results in our speed tests. That makes it perfect for torrenting, which it allows of course.
If you want to give [ExpressVPN]( a try, [hit this link]( to check it out. Weâre confident you wonât be disappointed, but thereâs a 30 day money back guarantee just in case.
Thank you for your support!
Android Authority
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