Why Have VPNs Become Popular for Personal Use?

Nobody likes the idea of being spied on. Whether it's by the government, their Internet Service Provider (ISP), or by prying eyes at their local coffee shop, privacy is a top priority.

That's why following major breaches, such as the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, more people are opting to beef up their cybersecurity and browse safely with a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. While VPNs are commonly employed by corporations to protect sensitive information and client data, their usage in a personal capacity has been steadily rising.

A VPN Ensures Your Private Information Stays Private

Data breaches and ever-present surveillance are hallmarks of the age we live in. Even if your browsing habits are totally legal, privacy is your right. ISPs have admitted to selling customer's information so that advertisers can target the right demographics.

A personal VPN is an added layer of cybersecurity that protects whatever data you may be transmitting by encrypting it before transmitting it over the Internet.

Increased Cybersecurity and Safer Data Transmitting

Connecting to hotspots or public WiFi is a risky business. 'Evil twin' attacks are common and can put you in serious trouble if you fall for one. These kinds of attacks occur when bad actors mimic the SSID of a popular hotspot and trick your phone or laptop into connecting to it. Once connected, every piece of data you send to the Internet can be accessed by the attackers.

It's rare to find a public WiFi connection that is encrypted, meaning that hackers can easily gain access to valuable personal data. Using a VPN can assure your information remains safe, as the layer of encryption prevents everyone, including the ISP, from seeing what you're doing.

While it's undeniably convenient that WiFi is more available now than ever before, one could argue that this has increased the vulnerability of our data. By ensuring you only connect to hotspots that you trust, and not just any random one offering you free Internet, you dramatically reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

Also, if you're mindful of avoiding your data being shared, avoid using hotspots that offer you free WiFi in exchange for your email address and a phone number, as these are often used solely to harvest and log your browsing habits.

Unrestricted Access to Sites Anywhere in the World

When using a VPN, you can enjoy access to content that you may not usually be available in your part of the world. If you're traveling or working in another country, you may not be able to access your social media, your favorite streaming service, or even your preferred news outlet due to geo-blocking or regional restrictions.

Using a VPN alleviates this issue by providing server connections around the world. Known as “spoofing” your location, a VPN shows that you are accessing the Internet via their remote server as opposed to your physical location.

What do People Actually Use VPNs For?

Go-Globe estimates that around half of VPN users simply want to browse restricted entertainment content that's not available in their country. Almost one-third of people are using a VPN to access content at work that is blocked by their employer, including social media, gambling websites, streaming services, etc. Another third of the people surveyed admit that they use a VPN because of privacy concerns either regarding their ISP or the government.

Regardless of what you choose to use your personal VPN for, they're an extremely valuable tool that will allow you to browse online with the freedom and safety you deserve.

Cybersecurity experts expect the use of personal VPNs to steadily increase in popularity, with the market size set to double from 18 billion USD in 2017 to 35.7 billion USD in 2022. The current trend of average people using a VPN to safely access the Internet doesn't look like its changing any time soon.

People connecting to the Internet via a VPN don't have to worry about their data being collected or compromised, their favorite social media or streaming platforms being restricted, or their safety being jeopardized. See what VPN providers fit your needs to begin browsing the Internet in secure anonymity.