Do you need a VPN when travelling?

This is a common question for globetrotters and digital nomads alike. With the increasing reliance on public Wi-Fi networks and the need to protect sensitive data, using a VPN can provide an extra layer of security.

Whether you’re accessing your bank accounts, streaming your favorite shows, or simply browsing the web, a VPN can help safeguard your online activities and keep your personal information private.

So, before you embark on your next adventure, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of using a VPN while travelling.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a tool that establishes a secure connection on the internet. This encryption is useful in ensuring that your data is safe from other people, and it makes it difficult for hackers to access your information.

VPNs are especially important when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network since such networks can be easily hacked.

Apart from security, VPNs enable the user to hide his/her IP address and make it seem like they are connecting from a different country. This can be especially helpful for unblocking streaming platforms or websites that are unavailable in some locations.

Reasons to get a VPN for your trip

Still not sure whether you need a VPN for your trip? Let’s look at some of the benefits.

Protect your personal information

While on the move, you tend to use airport, hotel or café Wi-Fi networks to surf the internet. These networks are convenient but are known to be very vulnerable.

Hackers can create fake hotspots or even use software to capture data that is being transmitted over these networks.

Also, travellers are considered to be easy targets for cybercriminals. They may not be as careful as they should be when it comes to their privacy while on the road.

When you are connected to a VPN, your data cannot be intercepted by such attackers. Therefore, your banking details and login credentials are safe.

Access geo-restricted content

Another benefit of using a VPN when travelling is that you can get to watch content that may not be available in the country you are visiting.

For instance, some countries have put in place measures that prevent the citizens from accessing certain websites and online services. Thus, by connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can bypass these restrictions and get the necessary content.

This is especially useful for expats who wish to access their home country’s media. An expat VPN enables you to watch movies, read news, and use any content that is restricted based on your location.

Ensure online privacy

Many people are concerned about their online privacy, especially when they are travelling.

When you are online without a VPN, your ISP, government, and some websites can monitor your online activities. This information can be used for different purposes, from advertising to invasive surveillance.

A VPN protects your privacy by concealing the IP address and also the traffic that is being passed over the internet. This means that your online activities cannot be easily traced and no one can know what you are doing online.

In any case, if you are looking for some information or just surfing the Internet, a VPN guarantees the confidentiality of your actions.

Overcome censorship

Internet censorship is a major problem in some countries.

Governments restrict access to some websites and online services for political, cultural, or religious purposes. This can be quite irritating, especially when you depend on those services for communication, information and entertainment.

These censorship barriers can be overcome by using a VPN, as it enables one to connect to a server in a country where internet censorship is not practiced.

This means that you are able to access the websites and services you require with no restrictions, thus you are always connected and up to date.

Safeguard against data throttling

Data throttling is a practice whereby your ISP deliberately limits your internet speed depending on what you are doing online. This can be quite irritating especially when streaming videos, downloading files or playing games.

While on the move, you are likely to encounter data throttling more often especially when using mobile data or other unstable connections.

A VPN can help you avoid data throttling since your ISP will not be able to monitor what you are doing on the internet due to the encryption of your traffic. This can lead to faster browsing and enables you to engage in your favorite online activities without interferences.

Enhance online shopping and banking security

When you’re on the road, you might make online purchases such as booking for a hotel room, buying travel insurance, and online shopping. Such transactions often contain highly confidential data like credit card information and personal details.

With a VPN, you are able to enhance the security of your transactions over the internet. The VPN encrypts your data to protect you from hackers and cyber criminals, and you can shop and bank online more securely.

This is particularly crucial when connecting to unknown or insecure networks when on the move.

How to choose the right VPN for travel

Not all VPNs are the same and it is important to choose the right one for travel.

You’ll want to consider things like geographical location of servers, the speed at which the VPN connects, security and usability. The best travel VPN should have many servers so that you can unblock any content in any location of the world.

Ideally, the VPN will have powerful servers that can provide a fast and reliable connection.

Other features like no-logs policy, high level of encryption, and an automatic kill switch are crucial to safeguarding your information and identity.

So, do you need a VPN when travelling?

If you travel without a VPN, you are likely to encounter many problems on the internet such as cyber threats, data throttling, and censorship.

With a VPN, you can safeguard your identity, unblock content that is restricted in your region, secure your privacy, and make your transactions secure.

If you are an expatriate who wants to remain connected with your home country, or simply want to protect your privacy, then a VPN is a must-have tool.