What Is A VPN Used For? VPNs are used in many different ways. Let’s take a look at how many businesses, gamers, and streamers use VPN: VPN Uses for Business Here are some of the most common things VPNs are used for in a business setting: Work From Home Without Worry. It looks like returning to the office may not happen for many people, at least not anytime soon. Utilizing a VPN allows everyone working remotely to securely log into the shared company network, while also providing data protection for projects and files. Keep Your Shared Network Secure. Using a VPN across your shared network will help ensure that business communications remain secure. It will also make your company less susceptible to cyber attacks. Control Access. VPNs also offer access control options, so that confidential information is not accessible by every employee. Users will need to log in and verify that they have authorization before access is granted. Browse Safely on Any Device. Securely connect to your business cloud, no matter what device you are using. Since a VPN is encrypted and remotely hosted, you can log in from anywhere without the risk of a security breach. Bypass Geo-Blocking. When traveling for business, you may encounter locations that block or censor parts of the internet. This can potentially be a huge hindrance, especially if you are not able to access work-related websites. Using a VPN with your home location will help bypass any blocked content. Protect Financial Transactions. It’s essential to know that every transaction is protected. A VPN anonymizes your outgoing traffic and encrypts your connection, ensuring unauthorized tracking of your business transactions or transfers. Connect to Public Wi-Fi Confidently. Nearly everyone connects to the free airport Wi-Fi during a layover or delay, but doing so leaves you wide open to potential theft. Using a VPN before you open that email or check an account balance will help keep your data secure. Avoid Social Media Blocks. Some parts of the world have blocked social media channels such as Facebook. If you are traveling to China or Iran and can’t survive without your network, a VPN can help work around the ban. Maintain Account Access. Banks are on high alert for fraudulent activity, and logging into your account from a foreign country may raise a red flag. Using a VPN that shows you are still at your regular address will help avoid possible account freezes due to suspicious activity. VPN Uses for Gaming Outside of the business world, VPNs are also popular with gamers. Here are some of the most common gaming VPN uses: Access a Wider Library of Games. Since using a VPN means your internet connection is re-routed, you have more options when it comes to gaming access, especially regarding cloud gaming services such as Stadia. Depending on the provider, certain VPNs can help you access games available outside your region. Likewise, some countries ban games due to graphic content. With a VPN, you can get around those restrictions by connecting through a server in a different country. Play In Public Without the Worry. It’s great to take advantage of free public Wi-Fi when you’re ready to play, but using an unsecured network carries risks. Keep your gaming devices safe by using a VPN. Protect Yourself From the Trolls. The stakes can get high in multi-player games and occasionally people overreact. Having a VPN protects your identity and IP address, so that if you inadvertently upset someone, they are not able to track your location. Sidestep ISP Slowdowns. Some internet service providers knowingly slow down their network for one reason or another. With a VPN, you can avoid unnecessary ISP lag. VPN Uses For Streaming You can also use a VPN when streaming your favorite movies or TV shows: Watch Your Favorite Foreign Films. Some paid subscription streaming services implement “geo-blocking” technology. This means in some geographical locations, you’ll have restricted access to certain content. Using a VPN bypasses this issue and allows you to stream nearly anything you want to watch, no matter where you are. Improve Buffering Issues. Since streaming services are so popular, it’s not unusual for the bandwidth to get overloaded and cause buffering issues. A VPN can help circumvent this, ensuring a smoother viewing experience.