Virtual Private Networks: Dan Calugar Explains Why You Need One When You Travel
Thanks to the proliferation of high-speed internet, you can always stay connected, no matter whether you are traveling domestically or internationally. However, there are dangers to connecting to public Wifi in coffee shops, hotels, and other public places while you’re away from home.
The only way to ensure that your data remains safe when you’re traveling is to disconnect completely. However, it’s nearly impossible to do so today, as everything from checking email to signing into your bank account requires an internet connection.
In these cases, a good option may be a Virtual Private Network or VPN. Here, Dan Calugar shares seven reasons why you may need a VPN while traveling.
1. To Access Blocked Sites
Some countries have more restrictive internet policies than the United States. For example, many social media platforms are blocked in other countries, meaning you won’t be able to access them at all. A VPN can help you bypass these restrictions and access the sites you want.
2. To Access Bank Accounts
Banks and other financial institutions have excellent security in place that prevents fraud by detecting suspicious activity and blocking it. If you try to access your bank account online from a foreign country, you may be locked out. A VPN can allow you to use a familiar IP to your bank, reducing the likelihood that you’ll get locked out.
3. To Protect Data
Public Wifi hotspots are easy targets for hackers. Even if the local coffee shop has a password, it is shared with many people. When you connect to these hotspots, you are putting your data at risk. A VPN can help provide an extra level of security when you have no choice but to connect to these networks.
4. To Entertain Yourself
Streaming companies often block connections from foreign countries. This means when you travel abroad, you may have troubling watching Netflix, Prime Video, or any other service. Using a VPN will give you access while you’re away from home.
5. To Protect Mobile Devices
Your data is at risk when you’re accessing the internet via cellular data, too. Everything you do on your phone is subject to hackers. To prevent this from happening, you can install VPN apps on all your smart devices.
6. To Take Advantage of Cheaper Pricing
It may be hard to believe, but many travel companies offer different pricing for the same services to different countries. It may be more expensive for a resident of France, for example, to book a flight from Paris to New York than it would for a resident of the U.S. These sites do this by recognizing your location. Using a VPN could help you find cheaper travel pricing.
7. To Stay Anonymous
Dan Calugar reminds readers that authorities can view everything they do online. Even if you’re not doing anything suspicious, questionable, or illegal, this may seem very intrusive. Depending on where you’re traveling overseas, you could be subject to significant monitoring. Using a VPN will cut down on the likelihood that the local authorities can track your activity.
VPNs to Use
Many companies provide VPNs that can be used for the above purposes. However, when searching for a provider, make sure to avoid any that are entirely free. These are likely either not very secure or are scams.
Some of the more popular and trustworthy VPN applications are NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, PrivateVPN, and VyprVPN.
About Dan Calugar
Dan Calugar is a versatile and experienced investor with a background in computer science, business, and law. He developed a passion for investing while working as a pension lawyer and leveraged his technical capabilities to write computer programs that helped him identify more profitable investment strategies. When Dan Calugar is not working, he enjoys working out and being with friends and family, and volunteering with Angel Flight.
