Were going to take a deep dive into VPNs what they are and how they work.

Then, well talk about whether VPNs are something you truly need for your online security.

A person holds up a phone with the VPN symbol on it.

Actually, VPNs arent too complicated.

Lets use the analogy of driving.

Lets pretend that connecting to the internet is like driving a car.

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Probably not as good as youd like.

It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.

But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?

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Ask one of these companies to help…

This is the basic idea of a VPN.

But, do you need a VPN?

Do I Need a VPN?

Answering whether or not you need a VPN is a bit complicated.

Is Your Connection Already Secure Enough?

There are other reasons to use a VPN beyond attempting to stay safe on public Wi-Fi.

Hiding your IP address is one of making your online activity less identifiable.

A VPN can hide your activity, making throttling more difficult and restoring your speed.

So, Do I Need a VPN?

Why Shouldnt You Use a VPN?

For the most part, there arent too many downsides to using a VPN beyond the cost.

If you are an online gamer, VPNs might not be the right choice for you.

Lastly, VPNs can simply be finicky.

How Do I Get a VPN?

Weve put together a few different VPN providers that you may want to check out.

Businesses need to make money, so no VPN is truly free.

Both provide free VPN services that are either data or speed-restricted.

If you need a VPN on your laptop or tablet, you likely will need it on your smartphone.

VPNs can be set up easily on both iOS and Android devices.

Due to licensing agreements, many streaming services are only able to broadcast certain content in specific geographic locations.

VPN prices can range from only a few dollars to quite a bit each month.

Most VPN providers offer discounts for those who sign up for yearly or multi-year subscriptions versus monthly.

Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.

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