With 2023 upon us it’s time to seriously think about the advanced digital age we’re living in. For many years, people have denied that the world is moving toward an interconnected state. Some insist that the world is as advanced as it will get and that technology is on a plateau. However, that is not the case, look at Alex for example, switching on lights at the touch of a button or on your voice command. The reality is that our world is moving further into connectivity — whether that’s in our devices, our homes, or our daily lives.
At the center of this connection lies the internet — a magical invention that we all adore. You can find a movie or TV show to watch in a matter of seconds, or you can jump on a video call with someone on the other side of the world, and you can even order food right to your doorstep without having to speak to a single person. There’s no doubt that the internet is one of the greatest inventions in the history of our vast world. While many do believe that the internet is purely used for the good of the world and to advance technology that makes our lives easier and more convenient, there is a dark side of the internet that you need to be aware of.
Cybercrime has been around ever since the dawn of the internet age, and it’s only become worse and worse as the years have gone by. There’s no “internet police” or law enforcement here to protect you from the damage that hackers can do to your devices and your life. Unfortunately, it’s everyone for themselves on the internet — you need to make sure that you’re prepared by using some of the best cybersecurity tools on the market. One of the most important tools that you can use is a VPN, more specifically Nord VPN. Make sure to read through credible NordVPN reviews to see why it’s one of the best VPNs on the market! Below we’ll get into the nitty gritty about why you need to have a VPN installed on your device in 2023.
What is NordVPN?
So, what exactly is Nord VPN and how does it work? VPNs are also known as virtual private networks, and they are cybersecurity tools designed to allow the user to browse the internet anonymously. How? It all comes down to your internet connection — VPNs are used to encrypt your internet connection, which prevents anyone else from keeping track of your browsing history or monitoring your internet traffic. These cybersecurity tools are so powerful that they will even block your internet service provider and the government from seeing what you’re going on your device while browsing the internet. Why is this helpful? We’re going to be covering that shortly, but first, we need to discuss another critical VPN feature you can benefit from.
VPNs also allow you to connect to secure global servers that are situated in other countries around the world. When you connect to one of these servers, the VPN will hide your real-world location and make it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from the server’s location — here’s how.
Your device has an IP address, which is a unique string of numbers that is used to identify your device on the internet. This IP address is different depending on your location, the device you’re using, and several other factors. The main purpose of this unique identifier is to provide websites with your geographical location. When the VPN hides this IP address, your device will adopt the IP address of the server that you have connected to, which tricks websites into thinking that you’re accessing them from the location where the VPN server is based. We’re going to dive into the plethora of benefits that this brings below.
The Benefits of Using NordVPN
Remember, the main purpose of a VPN is to encrypt your internet connection and allow you to browse the web anonymously. It’s crucial to use a VPN if you’re connecting to an unsecured network such as the ones used at public WiFi hotspots in hotels, restaurants, and airports. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, you must use a VPN if you’re working at your local coffee shop or taking a quick peek at your social media feed when using their WiFi.
Skilled cybercriminals can listen in on devices as they send and receive data through the internet. This digital eavesdropping is extremely dangerous, and it allows hackers to steal crucial data such as your login credentials, personal information, and even your credit card details. If you’re not careful, a cyberattack like this one could cause you some serious headaches! That’s why it’s always best to use a VPN when you connect to unsecured networks.
VPNs aren’t all about protecting you from doom and gloom though, they come with some serious advantages in other areas too. VPNs can hide your real location and trick websites into thinking that you’re accessing them from another location.
Using this feature, you can bypass strict internet censorship laws that some countries have employed. From foreign news websites to social media sites, and even Google, many countries will block websites for political or religious reasons. By using a VPN and connecting to a server in a different country, you can bypass these restrictions and regain access to all of your favorite websites.
If you’ve been using the internet for a long time you’re probably aware of geo-blocking restrictions. Geo-blocking is when websites stop you from accessing content based on your location. That’s why you often find that Netflix movies and TV shows are different in other countries compared to your own. Netflix users from all over the world have always wanted access to the U.S. version because it’s known to have the widest array of content — all you need is a VPN! Hook your VPN up to a server in the country of your choice and stream all of your favorite content.
VPNs can also get you discounts on online subscriptions, flights, and accommodation. Websites often discriminate against internet users from first-world countries by pushing the prices up. The residents of these countries benefit from stronger currencies and more disposable income, which means that websites can increase their profit margin while still making sales. Connect to a server in a third-world country to see how the prices change based on your location!
Alternative VPNs to Try
Nord VPN is one of the best VPNs on the market, but there are hundreds of other VPNs you can try out on the market. You need to make sure you’re always using a premium VPN as opposed to a free one though — that is the golden rule!
Free VPNs come with some serious drawbacks such as slower connection speeds, intrusive ads, daily bandwidth limitations, fewer global servers to choose from, and much more. None of these issues would be of concern if you’re using a premium VPN. Premium VPNs are extremely low cost, and they’re worth the money spent every month considering the headaches you need to deal with if you choose a free VPN.