Do You Need a VPN When Traveling Abroad?
Traveling to other countries has always been an activity filled with many charms no matter how far or exotic the destination. Whether in Europe, Asia, Africa, or anywhere else, international trips also mean taking the right precautions.
The fact that the world is now such an interconnected place as digital technology continues to advance means that online safety is a core concern for most users. The role that VPNs can play in online security has become more relevant than ever. However, the question is, do you need a VPN when you’re traveling abroad?
What Does a VPN Do?
According to Jacob O’Shea, even if you’re mostly using a phone, VPN apps work by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address. There are plenty of choices out there too. For example, the best VPN for Android varies according to different considerations but usually encompasses the same major brands no matter who you ask. There are also added perks since the right VPN even allows you to bypass censorship, reduce government surveillance, and stream the content you want, regardless of location.
Other variables like their security, speed, price, and other features determine how much protection is offered. While many are offered on free packages, paid options usually provide the most comprehensive security. In today’s world, even while traveling abroad, being able to connect to the internet is a must. Whether it’s used to simply stay in touch with loved ones, ensure our social media profiles stay updated, or to check in with the office, there aren’t many people these days who travel without staying connected.
However, staying connected in another country can often come with its own security concerns. Using public Wi-Fi networks at a hotel or airport means your device can be opened up to a plethora of risks from hackers and scammers who utilize such connections to spy on people’s devices and even infiltrate them in more nefarious ways. Depending on which country you’re in or how remote the place is, the digital infrastructure provided may not be very secure or up-to-date, which can pose its own risks.
In such environments, a VPN can become a crucial service to have. Since they work by obfuscating your IP address and scrambling your web traffic, this makes it virtually impossible for hackers and scammers to intercept the signal. This protection becomes vitally important if you’re accessing your digital banking profile, using your private passwords, or accessing any other sensitive content that you would never want to have intercepted.
Getting Pass Geo-Restrictions
As an added benefit, since VPNs hide your IP address and make it difficult to lock onto it, they effectively manage to keep your signal source hidden. In many countries that fall under varying kinds of totalitarian or restrictive regimes, government snooping and privacy concerns become a very real threat as internet freedoms continue to decline in such regions. In such cases, being able to maintain anonymity online is a crucial form of online security.
By using a VPN, you can drastically reduce the chances of your web traffic being tracked or monitored by authorities. Geo-restrictions that apply to things like streaming services may also be nullified, making it easier to access local programming or keep access to the kind of services you have in your homeland even while abroad.
Between government censorship and licensing agreements, the place you’re in may have many restrictions on what you can access. However, using a VPN is a great way to get around these restrictions and enjoy the same freedom you’re accustomed to at home.
The Downsides of Using a VPN
As mentioned, using a VPN has many benefits and other side perks. However, due to the way VPNs work, there are a few minor drawbacks too. A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, meaning that all your web traffic is moved from the server you’re connecting to and routed through a private one. However, this is like taking a slightly longer route to the same destination.
While it will still get you where you’re going, since the private server has to effectively reroute your signal, it tends to take longer to get you to your destination. This means that your internet signal tends to be slower when using a VPN. If it connects to a server that is further away from the location you’re in, it can result in a very noticeable reduction in speed. However, this again depends on the type of VPN you’re using and the kind of package you’re on.
If you’re using a paid package from a highly reputable VPN provider, many of these boast a fast and seamless connection no matter where you are. While there are plenty of VPN options out there that offer a free service, these usually provide the bare minimum in terms of protection, internet speeds, and other services you may require.
For these reasons, if you are dead set on using a VPN while traveling, it’s probably a good idea to invest in one that is reliable, fast, secure, and won’t let you down no matter where you are. If you have one of those, you’re pretty much assured of great access and signal strength whether you’re in a remote region, on a private yacht getaway in exotic waters, or at a cabin in the mountains.
The Legality of VPNs
Now that you know what kind of services and perks you can expect from a VPN, it of course brings up the question of whether using one is even legal. Thankfully, in most countries, they are completely legal and you won’t attract any legal issues for using one. The reason is that most so-called free nations recognize the fact that every person has the right to use the internet and to protect themselves from online threats while doing so.
However, depending on where you travel to, it’s important to note that not all countries share this opinion. In fact, in some more restrictive countries, VPNs are banned outright since those places generally monitor or restrict the web activity of their citizenry, whether this is public knowledge or just an open secret. Before visiting a certain country and using a VPN, it’s important to first do your research into the laws and internet censorship policies of your destination.
This can help you avoid legal issues and keep you from running afoul of any local laws or restrictions on VPNs. For a quick guide, here are 10 countries that either outright ban or heavily restrict the use of VPNs:
China
Russia
Iraq
Turkey
Belarus
North Korea
Iran
Turkmenistan
Uganda
The UAE
Conclusion
Traveling abroad is a universally loved activity for anyone lucky enough to be able to experience it. With a multitude of exotic destinations available to intrepid individuals looking to get away for a holiday, safety is always a concern. Aside from physical safety, since most people use the internet in their daily lives, even while traveling, ensuring a safe connection has become a necessity for travelers too.
To ensure one has a safe and secure internet connection while abroad, using a VPN is a great way to mask your signal and encrypt internet activity. Doing so ensures that hackers, scammers, and even local authorities cannot snoop or intercept your internet signal. While VPNs offer many perks for travelers, it should also be kept in mind that many countries ban or heavily restrict their use so it’s best to do your research before using one abroad.
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