The world is changing rapidly. If it wasn’t clear before now, 2020 has put into stark perspective just how quickly everything can change. Yes, we will probably go back to a semblance of normalcy once the COVID-19 crisis is over, but we interact with the world differently now.
One of the biggest changes that is likely to remain for the long term is the way we use the internet. Before 2020, it already consumed much of our lives. However, we rely on it more than ever now, for entertainment, health, and work.
What difference does this make? Well, we are increasingly dealing with sensitive data from our home networks. Information we would normally only share in a doctor’s office is now digital. Sensitive business files which would have never left the office are now being shared across home networks.
In the entertainment sphere, the way we access content has changed. We rely on streaming services much more than we do on broadcast television, and we get through series and movies far more quickly. Furthermore, new streaming services are testing our financial stability as we need more subscriptions for access to diverse content.
Something that has not only stayed the same but become more relevant because of all this is the need to use a virtual private network (VPN). For years now using a VPN has been the first line of defense against hackers and surveillance.
In 2020, you need a VPN for all of the following reasons and more.
In 2020, it is our privacy they are taking away for our safety. Governments have been tracking everything we do online, and now that we spend more time online than ever before, there are more risks to this.
Even if you trust your government, there is always the chance that the wrong person can get their hands on your data. Foreign governments can use cyber attacks to steal another country’s citizens’ data, for example.
A VPN keeps your privacy intact, by making it almost impossible to track you. If authorities do get hold of your data, it will be encrypted so that they cannot decipher it.
Hackers have been using this vulnerability to steal the sensitive data we now share online. They use this data for the purposes of identity theft – getting access to your bank accounts and other official documentation for their own financial gain. You lose not only money, but your credit reputation. There can even be legal consequences for you.
A VPN keeps you safe from hackers, as long as you connect through it on all your devices. It is more important than ever in 2020.
In other words, series or movies that are unavailable in your country might be available in another country. By using a server from that country on your VPN, you can get past geo-restrictions and access this content.
There are even websites which help you find the Netflix content you want anywhere in the world. Using uNoGS, you can search for shows and it will tell you where in the world they are available.
Learn more on VPNPros about how to use a VPN for streaming. This way you can get access to content even when you feel like you’ve watched everything there is to watch in your local catalogue.
When searching, you need to make sure you look for a provider with plenty of servers around the world. It is also important that they have good customer service, so that you won’t be left in the lurch if you have technical issues.
Since you are probably going to be streaming as well, it is crucial that the VPN you use does not slow you down too much. This should be one of your priorities, along with pricing.
Using a VPN in 2020 is a no-brainer. Download one now to protect yourself against modern cyber threats and to unlock parts of the internet you struggle to access.
Illustration: upklyak / freepik
One of the biggest changes that is likely to remain for the long term is the way we use the internet. Before 2020, it already consumed much of our lives. However, we rely on it more than ever now, for entertainment, health, and work.
What difference does this make? Well, we are increasingly dealing with sensitive data from our home networks. Information we would normally only share in a doctor’s office is now digital. Sensitive business files which would have never left the office are now being shared across home networks.
In the entertainment sphere, the way we access content has changed. We rely on streaming services much more than we do on broadcast television, and we get through series and movies far more quickly. Furthermore, new streaming services are testing our financial stability as we need more subscriptions for access to diverse content.
Something that has not only stayed the same but become more relevant because of all this is the need to use a virtual private network (VPN). For years now using a VPN has been the first line of defense against hackers and surveillance.
In 2020, you need a VPN for all of the following reasons and more.
1. Government tracking
Anything can be justified in the name of national security. This has been a theme of authoritarian regimes throughout the ages. They are taking away your rights for your own safety.In 2020, it is our privacy they are taking away for our safety. Governments have been tracking everything we do online, and now that we spend more time online than ever before, there are more risks to this.
Even if you trust your government, there is always the chance that the wrong person can get their hands on your data. Foreign governments can use cyber attacks to steal another country’s citizens’ data, for example.
A VPN keeps your privacy intact, by making it almost impossible to track you. If authorities do get hold of your data, it will be encrypted so that they cannot decipher it.
2. Identity theft
Governments are not alone in their capabilities to hack your data. Hackers can do so fairly easily if you are not using a VPN. When you are online, your ISP sends out an IP address to every site you visit, which has identifying information about you.Hackers have been using this vulnerability to steal the sensitive data we now share online. They use this data for the purposes of identity theft – getting access to your bank accounts and other official documentation for their own financial gain. You lose not only money, but your credit reputation. There can even be legal consequences for you.
A VPN keeps you safe from hackers, as long as you connect through it on all your devices. It is more important than ever in 2020.
3. Streaming content
When streaming content, you should be using your VPN for security reasons. However, it can also have positive uses to increase your access to good content. Although services like Netflix and Prime Video are now international, different countries have different libraries due to licensing regulations.In other words, series or movies that are unavailable in your country might be available in another country. By using a server from that country on your VPN, you can get past geo-restrictions and access this content.
There are even websites which help you find the Netflix content you want anywhere in the world. Using uNoGS, you can search for shows and it will tell you where in the world they are available.
Learn more on VPNPros about how to use a VPN for streaming. This way you can get access to content even when you feel like you’ve watched everything there is to watch in your local catalogue.
Where to find a VPN
Finding the right VPN for you in 2020 is not too difficult, as there are some big names which have proven time and again that they can be trusted. VPNPros is one of the websites with comprehensive comparisons between the big players.When searching, you need to make sure you look for a provider with plenty of servers around the world. It is also important that they have good customer service, so that you won’t be left in the lurch if you have technical issues.
Since you are probably going to be streaming as well, it is crucial that the VPN you use does not slow you down too much. This should be one of your priorities, along with pricing.
Using a VPN in 2020 is a no-brainer. Download one now to protect yourself against modern cyber threats and to unlock parts of the internet you struggle to access.
Illustration: upklyak / freepik