Do I Need a VPN Traveling in Latin America?
30 October, 2019In the current digital world, protecting yourself from prying eyes is of the essence since a single mistake can lead to lifelong issues that have to do with identity theft and fraud. However, how do you ensure that your privacy is protected without capsulizing your presence online? The answer is simple. Get yourself a VPN software.
Virtual Private Network is a private network that utilizes a public network to connect to remote sites by encrypting data. Its use, both for personal and business purposes, has become common, as more people are relying on it to protect their data from criminals and government spying agencies. Additionally, to those who travel a lot and love to keep in touch with the outside world, getting a VPN is a must. For instance, if you might be traveling to Latin America, more so Venezuela, it is advisable to have a VPN due to the following reasons.
Improved Security
When you browse the internet with a VPN, your security is guaranteed as compared to browsing without one. The notion behind this argument can be based on the fact that your real IP address is masked by a VPN, which in turn assigns you with a unique and highly anonymous IP address that matches your preferred location. For instance, if you are in Venezuela for vacation or business purposes, you can select an IP address based in your home country such that when you browse the internet, anyone trailing you will think you are back at home. Additionally, the fact that a VPN encrypts data, your Internet Service Provider cannot access your user data, saved passwords, or any other form of personal information.
Global Website Access
With a VPN, you can access any website regardless of your current location. Some sites, and streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix have a geolocation restriction, which means that you can’t access them if you are based in a location they deem restricted. For instance, according to VPNAlert, you cannot access websites such as YouTube, Wikipedia, and Bing in Venezuela. However, with a VPN, this should not be an issue since you can access your favorite websites and streaming services at the comfort of your house, far away from your home country.
Bypass Firewalls
When accessing the internet from a public WiFi, you might find it hard to access certain sites due to network firewalls. Even though most of these firewalls have been designed to protect you from trojans, their functionality can limit your internet access, especially if you browse the internet with a highly used public internet connection. With a VPN, you can bypass these firewalls, and access any website without any form of firewall restrictions. This can be attributed to the fact that a VPN masks your IP- the same IP that had firewall restrictions applied.
A VPN Masks Your Online Identity
With a VPN, your online identity is a mystery to anyone trying to follow you around. When a VPN gives you a new IP address, online hackers cannot be able to use your real IP to gather crucial information about you. With a VPN, you are a completely new web browser, and anyone trying to snoop on your online activities will always hit a dead end.
VPNs Might Help You Get the Better Prices
Online retailers and travel companies usually display different prices based on the location of a web browser. For instance, you may find air tickets in a prosperous city going for double the price compared to those in poor cities. You can take advantage of this form of “discrimination” by using a VPN to purchase online tickets or buy goods. All you have to do is connect to a VPN and select an IP address that matches the location with cheap tickets. Once you make a payment, you can have the tickets shipped to you or get them physically. Even though some people may view this form of practice as being unethical, it is also advisable to bear in mind the fact that it is not fair to pay more for the same product just because you are located in a different location.
Secure Torrenting
To those who love torrenting, a VPN can come in handy, especially if you are torrenting in a country that has strict copyright laws. By using a VPN, you can torrent from any part of the world without been worried about DMCA policies or copyright laws. Apart from hiding from law enforcers, a VPN protects you from other torrenting members who may be after your personal information rather than downloading or streaming movies.
It is without a doubt that VPNs have numerous advantages that can be used by different people based on their preferences. Therefore, if you are traveling to Latin America, it is advisable to bear in mind that the rules and regulations of countries such as Venezuela may vary from what you might be accustomed to back at home. You can, however, guarantee your privacy and safety by staying connected to a VPN during your stay in Venezuela.
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