Public Wi-Fi is convenient but comes at the expense of security. When you’re answering emails at a local coffee shop or absent-mindedly scrolling through social media at the airport, someone may be tracking your online activity.

Using a VPN protects your data while you are on other networks...

While connected to your home Wi-Fi, you are less likely to be attacked by strangers than on a public connection. However, your data is still vulnerable.

Your internet service provider (ISP) – BT, Sky, Virgin Media or other company which you pay for Wi-Fi each month – can access all your int...

Your ISP isn’t the only potential security weak spot. Many of our favorite apps and internet services – most notably Facebook- have been called out for the way they’ve used the data of their users.

A VPN will prevent apps and websites from attributing your behavior to your computer’s ISP ad...

While a TV streaming service such as Netflix may frown upon your use of a VPN to access the latest blockbuster film or series in a country where the content isn’t offered, this VPN usage is not illegal (in the UK and in most countries), and it helps provide a useful workaround to content restrict...

One benefit of a VPN is its data encryption features. Encryption, or putting data into a coded format so its meaning is obscured, allows you to keep confidential information safe.

If you are an individual thinking about investing in a VPN for your company, one benefit is that workers can c...

While we’d all love to add more security to our lives, some security devices and processes seem like more effort than they are worth for those who are tech adverse. VPNs, however, are easy to use.

Several providers have created intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that make installation ...

While many of us may first try a VPN on a company-loaned laptop, many VPN services also protect other smart devices such as your phones, tablets and desktop computers.

Each VPN company may offer slightly different protection plans and have different capacities to protect different devices,...

If you are willing to put in a little research, a VPN can help you save money via its location spoofing capabilities. Many types of businesses, such as subscription services and airlines, offer the same amenities or products for different prices in different places.

If you change the appea...

While a VPN is a great tool to help separate your location (and in many ways, you) from your data, it doesn’t obscure everything about you. If you take a Facebook quiz or like a post on Instagram, the app you are using while connected to the VPN is still able to use your behaviour to tailor in-ap...

Your full data isn’t obscured with a VPN alone. For that you would need an additional open-source tool that allows you to browse the web anonymously

VPNs aren’t perfect tools. Like any computer program, they are susceptible to malware and online attacks. If infected, a VPN’s security benefi...

Beyond questions of security are questions of legality. If you happen to be based in or visiting a wide list of countries including Russia and China, VPNs are banned or highly regulated.

It’s important to know the laws of your country and any country you are visiting before using a VPN, an...

If you are at all concerned with your data privacy, VPNs are an easy-to-use, reasonably priced security measure that gives you a base level of internet protection. While it may seem silly to protect your data when you aren’t doing anything “wrong” on the internet, even the most innocent among us ...