If you’re thinking about using a VPN account for your web browsing, chances are it’s because of a specific reason.  Even so, there may be some people who have heard about VPN’s but really don’t understand the primary benefits of using one. We’ve put together a list of the top five reasons you should start using a VPN today.

Increased Security Over Public Networks

Did you stay at a hotel recently and use the hotel’s Wi-Fi? Did you take your laptop to the coffee shop to check your email while you sipped a latte? Did you recently use your public library’s Internet to research a paper for your psych class? If you answered yes to any of these, you have succumbed to one of the greatest threats to your Internet security.

Public Wi-Fi offers no encrypted security to those who use it the way a VPN does. Whenever you are on a public network, your signals and data are fair game for anyone who is sophisticated enough to steal them. Hackers and identity thieves thrive on snooping public Wi-Fi.

Access To Your Media Services While You Travel

You just checked into your hotel in the UAE and decide to relieve some of that jetlag by firing up a movie on Netflix. Wrong answer.  Netflix, Hulu, and many other services are blocked outside of the United States. If you happen to be from the UK, forget accessing your bbc iPlayer account on a public network outside of the UK.

A VPN is the secure way to guarantee you can continue enjoying your media services while traveling abroad. These services identify your location based on your IP address. When you use a VPN you can appear to be accessing these services from your home country.

Evade Censorship And Content Surveillance

Many countries actively censor the content which can be viewed via their ISPs. You might be working in a foreign country and want to access your local news only to find it is blocked. A VPN account can help you avoid blocking and censored web content.

You might be thinking that content surveillance only happens in Third-World countries or nations which harbor terrorists, but think again. The good old USA and United Kingdom both have security agencies which actively monitor Internet activity. The best offense when it comes to content surveillance is a good defense, and a good defense means using a VPN.

Use Search Engines Securely

Recent revelations by Edward Snowden reveal that the NSA has regularly requested information from Google about the searches which are being conducted by ordinary citizens just like you. Search on the wrong term and you could be singled out as a security risk.

The world is a different place since the events of 9/11. Governments have more power to snoop and observe your online activities than ever before. Do you really want all your web searches revealed to prying eyes? Using a VPN can help you cloak your Google searches and stay on Uncle Sam’s good side.

Because You Have A Right To Your Privacy

This is the number one reason to use a VPN account. Privacy is a right that is worth fighting for, but if you don’t choose to exercise your right to privacy then you have no one to blame but yourself when your privacy is threatened.

Your right to privacy, to browse the Internet as you choose without the fear of being spied on, is sacred. The best way to preserve this right is by using a VPN.  VPN accounts empowers you with the ability to maintain your freedom.