Eight Things You Were Unaware a VPN Could Do

VPNs help users avoid ISP traffic shaping and throttling, making online gaming faster and smoother.

VPNs can unlock inflight streaming apps, letting users watch their favorite content instead of the movie.

Using a VPN to change your geolocation lets you watch live events with different commentary, avoid targeted ads, and take advantage of regional pricing differences online.

Using a router VPN can protect all internet traffic from multiple devices and help users maximize limited services and avoid online shopping taxes· When it comes to online privacy and security, many people are turning to free downloadable VPN to protect their internet browsing and data. However, finding a reliable provider can be challenging. 

Today, people use VPNs to protect their online privacy.

VPNs were unfamiliar to most people ten years ago·  Many less computer-savvy people are learning about VPNs to watch geo-blocked US Netflix internationally as its popularity grows.

While that's a great VPN use case, there are many others people don't know about·  Easy geolocation changes can transform your online life, improving your internet connection and saving you money.

Here are some VPN uses you may not have known about.

No traffic shaping

Do you ever experience random internet slowdowns?  Traffic shaping by ISPs slows your connection.

ISPs use traffic shaping to prioritize specific types of traffic on their network·  They decide if they want to slow you down based on your traffic type.

App-based traffic shaping is the most common and happens every day without us realizing it·  Applying application-based shaping, ISPs will prioritize certain applications.

Many people are aware of data cap throttling, but few know that some traffic is slowed down based on type.

Games are a favorite target for ISP throttling, and most gamers are unaware!  ISPs can boost network performance by saving bandwidth here because so many people game online.

The power of a VPN shines when apps use encryption to avoid traffic shaping to improve performance!  An encrypted VPN reroutes traffic·  The encrypted data avoids traffic shaping and makes deciphering harder.

Due to the fact that your ISP cannot determine your network's traffic, they cannot throttle your connection.

To maximize your internet speed when playing online games, use a high-quality VPN.

Inflight Internet streams apps

Ever used a streaming app on a plane's internet?  Blocking Netflix and YouTube is noticeable·  To play videos, video streaming apps need a lot of bandwidth.

Airlines want to provide Wi-Fi, but if everyone watched Netflix or YouTube, there wouldn't be enough bandwidth·  Most measures block Netflix and YouTube for this reason·  It's inconvenient because most plane internet users want to watch videos to kill time.

Again, VPNs are your best friend!  When connected to an inflight internet service, a VPN routes your traffic around their network, allowing you to watch anything.

Pre-flight VPN setup lets you stream your favorite content while everyone else watches the inflight movie!

Different Commentaries for Live Events

Sports commentaries can make or break the viewing experience.

A VPN will let you watch sports with commentary in another language or from another country.

Geography usually determines commentary when watching an international event stream·  While a German watching a football match will want German commentary, an English speaker in Germany may want English commentary.

Choose a UK server with a VPN before streaming the event·  Your geolocation changes, and the website or app serves UK commentary·  This trick helps sports fans who travel abroad.

Avoid Targeted Ads

Ever looked up something and then only saw ads about it?  Companies use browsing data to target you with ads based on your interests.

Though it's nice to see an ad for something you might be interested in, you're usually targeted with annoying ads for things you don't care about·  Online searches are common these days, but that doesn't mean people want to see ads about them all week!

Keeping your browsing private with a VPN makes it hard for advertisers to target you.

Your browsing habits will no longer affect your ads, and you'll see more generalized ones.

Improved Online Prices

You may not see the best prices when you buy plane tickets online·  Geolocation data is used by many airlines and others to offer different flight prices.

Prices on most websites vary by region·  In some cases, changing locations can lower prices.

Use a VPN to connect from a server in another country·  Once you're connected to a foreign server, the same ticket magically has a better price!  Flight booking, hotel, and car rental sites often do this.

Use a VPN and try different countries before checking out on these sites to get the best deal.

Setup Router VPN

Turning on your VPN before using your device can be difficult·  A VPN and encryption are great, but if you forget to turn it on, you're vulnerable!

As humans, we forget things, but what if you could never forget to turn on your VPN?  The best way to stay safe online is to set up a VPN on your router.

Good VPN providers can directly integrate into routers·  Note that most ISP routers won't work with a VPN·  They don't want you to encrypt your traffic, as we discussed·  Internet providers like traffic shaping.

You must buy a router that is compatible with your VPN to use this router trick.

A VPN on your router is great because it controls all your internet traffic·  Any home network device sends data out of the router last.

It's best to encrypt your router to protect all data leaving your network·  It protects devices without VPN app support·  In homes full of smart devices, there are many unprotected devices using the internet without people knowing.

 Installing a VPN on your router is the best way to protect these devices without having to workaround each one.

Use Limited Services Effectively

Plenty of services offer limited trial periods·  It's possible to get unlimited use from these services, whether they have a daily or timed limit.

Does anyone know a tool for unlimited uses?  The answer is a VPN!

Many free services track daily usage using IP addresses·  VPNs let you change your server location so  websites and apps think you're someone else.

You can switch servers whenever you reach the limit, so you can use as much as you want.

Avoid Extra Taxes For Online Shopping

The VAT (value added tax) on goods and services in Europe is added to purchases·  Taxes can reach 20%!

Shopping online allows us to avoid this tax, which is harder to do in-store·  You can avoid this extra tax by shopping online with a VPN from a foreign server.

For instance, I was looking at an online JavaScript course·  I was unaware that my VPN was connected to a German server and that the site I was on was in France·  VAT raised the price from $79 to $94·80 at checkout.

To check the price, I closed the page and switched my VPN to the US·  Interestingly, the VAT tax was removed, and I was only charged $79.

One last thing

A VPN is essential for online security today, but its uses go beyond privacy.

Users regain power and control online with VPNs·  There are many other things you can do with a VPN that you may not know about·  You can expand your online options by understanding a VPN and how websites and apps work.

Numerous companies and governments will try to censor your internet use·  Virtual private networks are one of the best ways to reclaim control.