The internet age has brought our entire world together. Everything is connected now, and all it takes is for you to find a WiFi connection, hoop up your device, and you’re online. Once you’re online, the world is your oyster. You can instantly message someone on the other side of the world, work remotely, or even find entertainment on demand. Once the internet was invented, true freedom was unlocked.

Or so we all thought! Did you know that the internet is limited? The world wide web is not so worldwide after all. Internet users are limited when it comes to some online platforms and websites. Whether that’s through geographical blocking or internet censorship, the reality is that the “freedom” we thought the internet brought us, was all a façade.

But luckily there is a key that allows you to unlock true internet freedom. The freedom to access any website in the world, and to do so with your device remaining secure and your data remaining private. The answer is a VPN, and this is your chance to get some serious VPN discounts on Black Friday! Not convinced that you need a VPN on your device? Keep reading and we’ll change your mind.

What is a VPN?

So first of all, what is a VPN? The cybersecurity tool is known as a virtual private network, but it’s easier to call it a VPN for short. The main purpose of this cybersecurity tool is to encrypt your internet connection.

While your internet connection is encrypted by a VPN, no one can see what you’re doing on your device while browsing the internet. VPNs are so powerful that not even the government or your internet service provider can monitor your internet traffic or keep track of your internet history.

This makes them the ideal tool for privacy and security on your device. These tools are especially helpful if you’re connecting to an unsecured network such as the public WiFi hotspots found at airports, hotels, and restaurants.

So, if you’re a frequent traveler or you enjoy working remotely at your local coffee shop, make sure to have a VPN installed on your device. Without a VPN, cybercriminals can listen in on your device while it sends and receives data through the internet — allowing them to steal your login credentials, personal information, and banking details.

VPNs also allow you to connect to secure global servers in other countries and cities around the world. When you connect to these servers, your device’s real IP address will be masked, and your device will adopt the IP address of the server that you have connected to.

An IP address is a unique identifier that websites use to determine your location. In other words, changing your IP address will spoof your device’s location and trick websites into thinking that you’re accessing them from elsewhere — why is this so useful?

Bypass Geo-blocking

If you’re a frequent visitor of sports live-streaming sites, YouTube, or even Netflix, you’ll be familiar with geo-blocking. Some websites Will block you from accessing their content based on your geographic location. These websites use your IP address to determine if you should be blocked or not.

Changing your IP address by using a VPN will allow you to bypass these geo-blocking restrictions and access the website without being blocked. For example, if you use a VPN and connect to a server in the United States, you’ll find a whole host of new movies and series to choose from on Netflix.

Travel on the Cheap

Believe it or not, websites that allow you to book flights and accommodation often discriminate against internet users based on their location. If you’re visiting the site from the UK for example, you’ll find that the prices are much higher because the currency is strong and the UK population generally has more disposable income. This means the website can push its prices up and still make sales.

On the other hand, if you connect to a server in a third-world country, or even in the country you are planning on visiting, you’ll find that the prices will drop significantly. That’s because the prices will be adjusted so that the website can still make sales in these countries.

Choosing a VPN

Now, before you head over to Google to install any VPN you can find, there are some important factors to consider. The first is that you should always do your research on each VPN before you commit to one. All VPNs are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses.

You also need to make sure to avoid free VPNs because they come with tons of drawbacks such as slower connection speeds, more ads, less security, daily data limits, and slower connection speeds. That’s why you need to make the most of these limited-time Black Friday discounts and grab some of the best premium VPNs on the market at a cheap price while you still can!