Guest Post | Feb 17, 2023

Image: Unsplash/Mimi Thian

Today, students have access to a wide variety of technologies, sites, apps, and tools that aim to make their lives better. But, while some tools are already widely-used, there are some that most students still don’t use to their benefit. And one of them is VPN.

If you are wondering what VPN means in the first place, it stands for a Virtual Private Network – a technology that extends your private network across public networks. This enables you to send and receive data within a public network just like if you were connected to a private network. Simply put, it gives you an extra layer of safety and privacy when you are on the Internet. If you are still not using it, continue reading this article, and we will tell you about the best ways to leverage this tool to your benefit!

1. Ensure Data Privacy on Any App or Service

Modern students are using plenty of apps and online services. These tools make their everyday lives simpler, but they also can bring potential hazards. Whether you hop on your favorite write a paper to boost your grade or scroll the Facebook feed, there is always a chance that third parties are hunting for your personal data. And this is the first best way to leverage VPN.

With its help, you will ensure that different websites and apps won’t be able to attribute your computer’s IP to specific online behavior. This basically means that no one else on the web will be able to learn what you are doing online. On top of that, a good VPN can restrict third parties from tracking your browser history and location. In other words, it will ensure your data privacy on any site or app.

2. Access Any Kind of Content From Anywhere

We consume a lot of content every day, especially while in college. But have you ever thought about how much content is also hidden from you? From certain social networks to specific shows on Netflix or Hulu – there might be content that’s not offered (or restricted) in your location.

VPN offers an effective workaround to such content restrictions. It’s absolutely legal to use in most countries. In the meantime, it ensures that you will be able to access any kind of content, regardless of your location.

Image: Unsplash/Christin Hume

3. Work Around Your School’s Internet Restriction Policy

Just like some content and websites can be blocked in a specific country, they can also be blocked on your school’s campus. For example, many colleges adopt a quite restrictive Internet-use policy to prevent students from accessing sites that might distract them from their studies. Often, resources like the best assignment services that help you delegate your assignments are included in this category. Also, different streaming services and social networks might also be restricted.

Luckily, if you want to work around your college’s policy, there is an easy way to do it. Just get yourself a solid VPN, and you will be able to browse the web with no limits.

4. Protect Yourself on Public Wi-Fi

Today, most of your homework in college requires using the web to complete it. This is the other side of technological progress. But here’s a problem – most college students live in a dorm and have to study either from there or from other public spaces, such as coffee shops, cafes, etc. That is, they often have to connect to public Wi-Fi.

While this is very convenient, it also hides many hazards. Using public Wi-Fi with no protection can enable someone to track your online activity and even get their hands on your private data. To mitigate this risk, you need to use a good VPN. This technology will enable you to hide and clean up your online footprint. Eventually, if you use this tip, no one will be able to see your activity or personal information.

5. Ensure Safety Using VOIP Services

VOIP stands for Voice-over-IP. Even if the name doesn’t tell you anything, we bet that you know and even use such services yourself. In a nutshell, VOIP services allow you to make phone calls using the Internet rather than your cellular network. Some examples of such services include Skype, WhatsApp, and many others. Today, many students use such tools due to the same reason – such calls are cheaper than traditional ones. But not many know that it might be unsafe too.

According to specialists, different VOIP apps are getting hacked pretty often. That is, there is always a risk of losing your private data to hackers. In order to avoid this and stay protected, you should use a VPN when accessing such apps. On the one hand, it will slow down your call a little. But, on the other hand, you will always know that you are protected.

6. Save Lots of Money

Of course, the primary reason students should leverage a VPN is for their cybersecurity. As you already know, this tool can hide and protect your online activity and personal data from literally any hazard. But there is another pleasant bonus to using a VPN – it will enable you to save a lot of money!

How does it work? Though not many people realize this, many businesses offer their products and services at different prices depending on the customers’ location. Thus, if you change your location to one where the cost is cheaper, you can get the desired product at a generous discount. VPN makes this possible. If you browse different products and services using a VPN, you can end up with big savings. For example, you can buy cheaper tickets or get cheaper subscriptions for your favorite services. So this is one more way how students can use this technology to their benefit.

The Bottom Line

Although VPN has been around for many years, it’s still not among those tools that average users leverage on a daily basis. And this is a huge omission, especially for college students.

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As you now know, there are plenty of ways to use this technology to your benefit. Now you see the perks of getting a solid VPN for yourself. So don’t wait any longer and start using it!

The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada’s Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org

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