A Virtual Private network (VPN) is a way of disguising where your device is accessing the internet from. Each device has its own Internet Protocol (IP) address which is read by websites when it accesses them.
Your IP address reveals your location, your internet history, and the location where you are sending/receiving data from. Many people don’t like the idea of their exact location being broadcast all over the internet, and so they use a VPN to hide this.
A VPN connects to the internet for you, loaning you the IP address of a remote server. You can choose the location of this server, which is especially useful if you want to circumvent some geolocational restrictions.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the pros and cons of using a VPN.
The Pros
Using a VPN can Keep Your Computer Secure When Connected to a Global Network.
Some countries restrict the content which their citizens can access, and a VPN allows them to use international sites. VPNs can also be used to access different entertainment content which is not available in other countries; for example, US Netflix has different programs than UK Netflix and a VPN redirected through an American server would allow a UK viewer access to this exclusive content.
Shops, airlines, hotels, and more offer different prices depending on where you are shopping from. A VPN will give you access to cheaper prices and better offers by making it appear you are shopping from a local address.
A good example is flight prices – a flight from Paris to London will cost more if the airline deems you are flying home, than if it thinks you are purchasing from Paris. It’s often worth using a VPN to purchase travel tickets from the local side for better prices.
VPNs can also help you to stay anonymous online. They can also be combined with other privacy services, like cryptocurrencies, to make you virtually untraceable.
Additionally, a VPN doesn’t only hide your IP address, it also encrypts the data that you send, making it harder to intercept and read. A lot of businesses use VPNs for remote working because they need a way to send sensitive data safely and securely.
While there are some free VPN providers out there, the best services are only available via a subscription. The good news is that these are relatively inexpensive, and considering what they can provide you with, well worth the investment.
The Cons
VPNs Can Slow Down Your Browsing, Leaving You Frustrated.
VPNs can eat up some of your internet bandwidth, so if loading speeds are really important to you, it’s worth reviewing providers to find out which cause the least problems.
Slow down happens when the data is encrypted – a vital part of the VPN deal – so it isn’t really something you can get around without boosting software, which may or may not be included.
Using a VPN to access restricted content can have consequences depending on how strict your country is about its restrictions. Regimes like those in China and North Korea have very tight controls over what internet sites can be accessed, and anyone caught bypassing their restrictions could face a hefty fine or even jail time.
Other countries like the UK and US aren’t really bothered if you use a VPN to access entertainment or gambling websites, which aren’t strictly available. However, the service providers themselves may take issue and suspend your account.
Gambling sites like 888 Casino will only allow access to those who are legally allowed to do so, and only offer their no deposit bonus as a welcome bonus to first-time players from a legal location. This is because they abide by different regulations in each country.
VPN providers make be required by their country’s laws to keep a log of your activity and hand this over the governments if requested. So, your activity won’t necessarily be as protected as you wish. It’s best to read terms and conditions carefully before signing up to any providers to make sure you’re really getting as much privacy as you hope.
Of course, there is also the TOR browser, which enables anonymous communications by re-directing internet traffic. Furthermore, using a VPN to try and enter into an online casino will only get you to the pre-login section of the website.
If you are interested to get into the post-login, you will need to pass the age verification process as well as send your Passport copy for identification.
How VPNS Are Used for Online Gambling?
As previously mentioned, VPNs can make it appear that you are logging on from a different location, thereby giving you access to location-specific content that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.
International online casinos are one of the biggest draws for VPN users, especially from countries where online gambling is not legal. The problem with this is that players think that, just because VPNs allow them to get around the law, that means they aren’t breaking it.
This isn’t true: accessing online casinos via a VPN is still breaking the law and if this is an illegal activity in your country, you shouldn’t participate.
Some countries, like the UK, have licensed online casinos. Accessing an unlicensed casino via a VPN can be dangerous, as these casinos aren’t regulated and don’t offer the same protections for players.
Conclusion
VPNs exist to help keep you secure online. The fact that they can also be used to mislead websites about your location is often exploited by users to access geo-restricted content.
Just because this is possible, doesn’t make it legal, so make sure you’re fully aware of all facts and consequences before taking actions you might regret later.