Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a standard for personal and business cybersecurity. They offer improved data privacy, secure access to information, and can be incredibly convenient when traveling. However, like any technology, VPNs are not without their drawbacks.
In this article, we will explore their advantages and potential limitations. Our goal here is to help you decide if a VPN is something that could improve your experience online.
Table of contents
VPN pros and cons at a glance
To provide you with a quick overview, we compiled a handy table listing all the drawbacks and benefits of VPN use. In the following sections, we delve into each of these in more detail.
VPN pros | VPN cons |
|---|---|
Protects your privacy from Internet Service Providers and hackers | May slow down your internet speed |
Protects you on public Wi-Fi | Some devices may lack the required compatibility |
Lets you access home content abroad | Good VPNs cost money |
Helps avoid price discrimination | Free VPNs may sell your data |
Makes online shopping more secure | Access is restricted in some regions |
Prevents bandwidth throttling | Can be taxing on battery life |
Helps access information in countries with internet restrictions | |
Shields you from targeted advertising | |
Makes remote working more secure |
The benefits of using a VPN
Most of us can benefit from using a Virtual Private Network. A good VPN can help you navigate the internet more securely and freely, enhancing your online experience with minimal disruption.
Let’s explore the most common advantages of using a VPN:
Privacy protection from ISPs and hackers
A VPN is, first and foremost, a security solution. It encrypts your internet connection, meaning that any information you send or receive is scrambled, making it extremely difficult for an unauthorized third party to read.
This is critical for protecting sensitive data such as passwords, personal information, and financial details. With a VPN, the content of your online activity is no longer accessible to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and hackers.
Safe public Wi-Fi connection
Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, but they are also notoriously easy targets for cybercriminals. Whenever you connect to Wi-Fi in a coffee shop or at an airport, you give up access to all the data that passes through it. And that is a lot of trust to put in something you know very little about.
A VPN creates a secure tunnel for the data you send, making it much harder for anyone to eavesdrop on your online activities. This means you can browse, shop, and communicate with confidence, even if your network is not particularly secure.
Access to home content abroad
Traveling abroad often means you can’t access the same online services you enjoy at home due to regional restrictions. You may have trouble reading your local news, logging into your bank, or seeing prices in your national currency.
A VPN allows you to connect to servers in your home country, making it seem like you’re there.
No price discrimination
Some online retailers and travel sites display different prices based on your location. While some differences are based on objective criteria, such as shipping costs, it’s always worth checking to ensure you’re not being subjected to price discrimination.
With a VPN, you can change your virtual location to find better deals and discounts in other regions. This is especially useful when booking flights and hotels or purchasing software and subscriptions.
Safe online shopping
VPN encryption also adds a layer of security to online shopping. Your credit card numbers, bank details, and passwords can be vulnerable to hackers and other malicious entities. However, once data is encrypted, it is nearly impossible to decipher, even if it gets intercepted.
With a VPN, you can enjoy the convenience of e-commerce without compromising your security. To learn more, you can read our article on online shopping with a VPN.
No bandwidth throttling
ISPs can deliberately limit your internet speed based on usage, especially if you frequently stream or download large files. This practice is known as bandwidth throttling.
Because a VPN keeps your online activities private from your service provider, they can no longer throttle your speed based on the websites you visit.
Access to information in regions with restricted internet access
In some regions, the internet is heavily monitored or restricted. For some traveling professionals, such as activists and journalists, accessing information from these places can be a real danger and constitute a barrier to honest reporting.
VPNs allow users to bypass these censorships by connecting them to servers located in their home countries.
Avoiding targeted advertising
Several companies profit solely from collecting and selling personal information to advertisers, who in turn use it to target you with relevant ads. The idea that there is a complete profile of you out there somewhere, being constantly updated with your behavioral history and bid on, may seem unsettling.
Using a Virtual Private Network prevents these companies from collecting this data about you and your online activities. And while a VPN does not block ads by itself, some offer an ad-blocker on top, such as Surfshark and its CleanWeb feature that stops malicious ads.
More secure remote work
Working remotely has become commonplace, and while incredibly convenient, it’s not without its challenges. One of them concerns network security: preventing data leakage can be difficult, especially when each employee is connected to a separate network.
A good VPN will protect your work data from potential breaches by ensuring it remains encrypted until it reaches the internal company network. This helps keep sensitive information safe, making VPNs an excellent option for companies concerned with data integrity.
What are the disadvantages of a VPN?
While a VPN is a powerful tool for enhancing online security and privacy, it does have some drawbacks. Understanding them can help you decide if you need a VPN service and figure out how to use it effectively.
Speed
While a VPN can help with ISP throttling, in most other cases, your speed will decrease slightly. This is because your internet traffic is routed through a secure server, so it not only travels further but is also encrypted and decrypted along the way.
The final impact on speed depends on the physical distance between you and the server and how busy the server is. If you’re connecting to a local server, the speed loss shouldn’t exceed 10%. If you connect to a server thousands of miles away, the effect will be more noticeable.
If you want some of your applications to remain unaffected by a VPN, you can always set up a split tunneling feature. This allows selected applications to make the most of your connection while the rest of your internet traffic remains protected by a VPN. Split tunneling is commonly used to run banking applications or data-intensive streaming services.
An infographic showing how a VPN works: data travels to a VPN server, gets encrypted, fetched back to the VPN server, and decrypted, all to finally reach the user’s device.
Compatibility
Unfortunately, not all devices are compatible with VPNs. Some smart TVs, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices may not directly support VPN connections.
This can limit your ability to secure your entire network or use a VPN for certain applications and services. In addition, some websites and services actively block VPN traffic, making it difficult to access them securely.
Cost
A quality VPN service usually requires a fee. While free VPN options are available, they often have limitations such as data caps, slower speeds, and fewer server locations, not to mention their tendency to mishandle their users’ data.
For a reliable and secure service, you may also need to invest in a recurring subscription, which can be an additional expense, although it will most likely help you save money in the long run.
Unreliable free VPN providers
Although VPNs encrypt your data before sending it to a third party, they still receive the original. And because free VPN providers need a way to cover their operating costs, they may log your activity and sell it to third parties.
Choosing a reputable VPN provider with a strict no-logs policy is crucial to ensuring your privacy is adequately protected on all fronts.
Legal concerns
While VPNs are legal in most countries, some have chosen to restrict or outright ban them. Violation of these laws may result in fines or other legal consequences.
If you travel to or live in such regions, you must be aware of local laws regarding VPN use. Always check the legal status of VPNs in your area before using one, and don’t take any chances.
Increased device load
Running a VPN can consume additional resources on your device, such as processing power and battery life. This is especially important for smartphones and laptops, where battery life is always an issue.
The encryption and decryption processes require extra processing power, which can lead to shorter battery life and slower device performance. However, for most VPN providers, limiting device load is always a priority.
Final thoughts: VPN benefits override the drawbacks – but do your research
All in all, having a VPN is worth it — the benefits far outweigh the potential drawbacks. But because not all VPN providers are created equal, it’s important to do your research before you commit. Consider factors such as speed, logging policies, and device compatibility. This will help you choose a reputable provider that can meet your specific needs.
FAQ
What is the primary purpose of a VPN?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel that secures your data, masks your Internet Protocol (IP) address, and protects your online identity and privacy. This results in increased privacy and browsing freedom.
What are the benefits of a VPN service for a business?
Using a VPN can bring the following benefits to your business:
- Secure data: with a VPN, you can protect sensitive business information from hackers.
- Safe remote access: a VPN enables secure access to the company network from anywhere.
- Data privacy: by using a VPN, you keep business communications confidential.
What are the benefits of a VPN for personal use?
For personal use, a VPN helps with:
- Online privacy: a VPN can help you keep your browsing activity private.
- Secure transactions: with a VPN, you can make sure your online financial transactions are protected.
- Avoid tracking: a VPN will make it harder for advertisers to track your online behavior.
What are the benefits of using a VPN on my phone?
When using a VPN on your phone, you can enjoy:
- Public Wi-Fi safety: you can use a VPN to secure your data on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Privacy protection: a VPN will keep your online activities private from ISPs and advertisers.
- Secure online transactions: by using a VPN, you add an extra layer of security when banking or shopping online.
What are the benefits of using a VPN for online gaming?
When gaming, VPN can be useful for:
- DDoS protection: using a VPN will shield you against DDoS attacks when gaming.
- Reduced server lag: a VPN can potentially improve your ping and reduce lag.
- Escaping ISP-induced lag: with a VPN, you can minimize your ISP’s bandwidth throttling.
What are the benefits of using a VPN for streaming?
When using streaming services, you can employ a VPN to:
- Stream safely: using a VPN can enhance your privacy and security while streaming content.
- Access home content abroad: a VPN allows you to watch your shows and movies during travel.
- Stay private: with a VPN, you can make sure your viewing habits stay private.
