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Switching to a VPN has been a game-changer for my online privacy, but there are several things that I wish I had known before I started using them.
1You Sometimes Need to Use Incognito Mode to Use Your VPN Location
I often use my VPN for researching information that isn’t available in my region and watching content that I couldn’t otherwise access. However, I have noticed several times that I don’t receive location-specific results unless I use incognito mode.
This problem often impacts my iPad, and I have to say that it’s sometimes frustrating. Besides still getting shopping recommendations for my region, I also can’t access content—such as radio shows.
There are severaladvantages to browsing with Incognito more often, but it would be nice for VPNs to work without this.
2VPNs Don’t Always Unlock Geo-Restricted Content
Speaking of geo-restricted content, it’s a common misconception that your VPN will automatically unblock shows, movies, andlive sports not available in your region. This will happen a lot of the time, but it’s not a guarantee. For example, I’ve sometimes struggled to change my Netflix catalog—even with a VPN (it is possible towatch Netflix with a VPN, though).
Again, the best way to watch geo-restricted content is via an Incognito window. you’re able to also look for VPN services with specific tools to unblock streaming services and sporting events. It’s worthconsidering multiple factors before subscribing to a VPN, and this is one of them.
3If You Live Stream, Beware of Streaming Quality
I’m a big soccer fan and like to keep up with the Premier League and EFL, along with international tournaments. However, I’m sad to say that VPN live-streaming quality isn’t always the best.
I found this out myself earlier in the summer of 2024. I was on holiday in Finland during the European Championships and tried watching England’s game against Slovenia on the BBC (the national broadcaster in the UK). However, the quality was so bad at times that I might as well have been watching highlights from the 1960 Euros.
In the end, I gave up and watched part of the game on Finnish TV (before switching it off altogether because it was so bad). Even if you have an account with your streaming service, you should still consider the potentially low streaming quality that you may have to deal with.
You can, of course, try different things to improve the quality—such as having a solid basic Wi-Fi connection. I have also found that turning off the Wi-Fi on my smartphone has helped.
4You Might Not be Able to Access Some Websites and Services
I can often browse the internet on a VPN without problems, but I will occasionally run into issues when I’d prefer not to. For example, I have sometimes found it difficult to access my mobile banking accounts when connected to my VPN. Moreover, I’ve found that there isno internet when my VPN is onsometimes.
In other instances, I’ve struggled to purchase tickets and perform other actions with a VPN. This isn’t a huge problem if I’m on my home Wi-Fi network, but it is quite irritating if I’m out in public. I’ve also sometimes had security alerts for logins, which is understandable if my device thinks that I’m in another country.
Sometimes, it might not be the VPN causing these issues. Instead, the server strength might be the main problem. Nonetheless, you should consider that you may encounter problems.
5Paid VPN Subscriptions Are Often Worth the Investment
When using paid VPNs, you typically have access to several more servers than you otherwise would have. As a result, you can pick the specific region you want to connect your device to. On top of that, you can freely change between servers if one of your connections is weak for whatever reason.
Many free VPNs also have data speed and usage limits, which quickly becomes irritating if you want to use your VPN all the time. And while some free VPNs are secure, others are not. You can typically tryVPNs with a free trial or risk-free period, so you can start with that if you’re unsure which one to choose.
6VPNs Are Only One Layer of Online Security
Before signing up for a VPN, I wrongly thought that getting one would solve all problems when protecting myself online. But the truth is that VPNs are only one aspect of online security. While they are important, you will still put yourself at risk if you don’t use good privacy practices.
Having a basic cybersecurity know-how is essential; if you visit dangerous websites and download malware, there isn’t much that your VPN can do to help. You should also consider purchasing additional software, such as antivirus. Just make sure that you knowwhich features your antivirus solution needs.
7VPNs Can Drain Your Battery
One thing that I wasn’t prepared for, but I probably should have been, is how much VPNs can drain your battery. I remember one of the early days of using my VPN when I left it on and foolishly left a YouTube video on the screen (though I did, granted, lock my screen). After making myself some food and taking a shower, my iPad was incredibly hot, and the battery had drained significantly.
Since then, I’ve noticed my battery drains much quicker when connected to my VPN. If I’m watching a live sporting event, I often charge my device at half-time. And most of the time, I turn my VPN off when performing basic web browsing activities.
Your mileage may vary, but you should beware that your battery might not last as long when you’re connected to a VPN.
8VPNs Are More Than Just About the Internet Connection
To be honest, the main reason I bought a VPN was so that I could browse content from other parts of the world. And while you may use VPNs primarily to access the internet, they’re much more than that. For example, ExpressVPN has a password manager that can help you keep your online login details safe across multiple devices.
Similarly, Proton VPN integrates well with other privacy-oriented tools like Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. It’s worth looking to see what else your VPN can offer alongside the internet aspects.
While I do recommend getting a VPN, you should have a more complete picture of what you’re getting before you commit to one. I strongly recommend paying for a VPN, and it’s also a good idea to find one that can unblock content if that’s important to you.
