VPN for travel

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure connection between people and devices over the Internet. It uses encryption technology to re-create the security of a local network and connect devices that are not in the same location. A VPN makes going online safer and more private by stopping people from seeing who you are, where you are, or what you’re looking at.

If you’re on a public network, such as in an airport or coffee shop, you can use a VPN to hide your identity, spoof your location, and mask your online activities.

Yes, using a VPN while traveling is important particularly when using shared, public WiFi networks. At hotels, airports, cafes, museums, libraries, restaurants, or other destinations on your trip, going online via the shared WiFi hotspot means that other people on the network could see your activity. A VPN encrypts your data so it is protected and no one can watch what you’re doing or steal your data. While traveling abroad, you may need to log into your bank account, send email, or do some work, and you don’t want anyone else on your network to view this private information. Using a VPN gives you privacy and security to keep your online activity hidden away from prying eyes. 

Another reason to use a VPN when traveling is if you would like to access content that you enjoy at home the same while you’re traveling, especially if it’s international travel. Different countries have access to different content, such as on streaming services, and using a VPN may enable you to enjoy the same content while you’re traveling globally.

A VPN service is a subscription that gives you use of a virtual private network when needed. A VPN can be used in many settings, but a VPN for travel is a particularly important one. Using shared WiFi hotspots poses a risk of others on the network seeing your activity online, and using a VPN while traveling shields you from this risk since a VPN encrypts your data. If you’re looking for a VPN specifically for travel, you may want to check to see in how many countries the VPN services you are considering have servers available to connect to, and in which particular countries servers are available. For instance, if you’re traveling to Europe and you want to connect to nearby VPN servers in the countries you are in (for a fast connection, since the servers are close by), check to be sure your travel destination countries are on your VPN service’s list.

Yes, a VPN is typically a great way to connect to work while traveling abroad. Your company may provide a VPN service that enables you to log into the company network and view company information just as if you were back home in the office. If you don’t have a company VPN but you subscribe to a VPN service, using a VPN means that your online activity is encrypted and so others can’t view your confidential work information, especially if you log in while using a shared WiFi connection, such as in a hotel or at a conference center.

Yes, you can use a VPN in most countries. Some countries around the world do have restrictions on VPN usage, but in most locales, a VPN is a great way to make sure your Internet connection is private. Most VPN services also enable you to connect to servers in a variety of servers globally, so you can connect to a server back in your home country, connect to a server in the country you’re visiting, or connect to a number of other servers around the globe. Before you travel, check to see if your destination countries have any rules regarding VPN usage, and check your VPN service to see in which countries they have VPN servers to which you can connect.