The Internet is an incredible invention that brings a whole realm of amazing possibilities to the tips of your fingers. However, as our digital landscape continues to shift, it is becoming increasingly difficult to take full advantage of everything the online world has to offer. However, a VPN extension can help you to broaden your horizons once more and explore the digital space as it was originally intended. Here, we’ll discuss what VPN extensions are about and how they can empower you to improve your online experience.
How do VPN extensions differ from VPN clients?
VPN extensions work in a very similar way to how VPN clients do. However, unlike standalone clients, which will regulate all of your device’s traffic, a VPN extension will only affect data being transferred to and from your internet browser.
VPN extensions are a popular alternative to desktop clients because they offer a couple of key benefits. First and foremost, there is the ease-of-use aspect. Browser extensions are lightweight, compact, and fast both to install and activate for users who do not have extensive technical knowledge or experience with the technology. As such, they are extremely convenient and user-friendly. Additionally, by limiting its effect only to your browser traffic, a VPN extension can be a useful way to benefit from the functionality of a VPN while you browse without impacting other background processes.
In the wake of the recent expansion of the VPN industry, there are now a plethora of convenient extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other popular browsers. Many of these are paid, but there are now also premium free VPN extensions on offer, such as that of Urban VPN, which will allow you to get started with the software immediately at no cost.
What a VPN extension adds to your browsing experience
A VPN extension can improve your browsing experience significantly. Let’s look at a few ways it can do this:
More online freedom
Internet censorship is fast becoming a major stumbling block for users everywhere. As geo-blocking becomes more and more common, it’s getting increasingly difficult to explore the Internet in the way that we want to. Unfortunately, this trend looks set to continue, so it makes sense that you should want to take matters into your own hands now to maintain your online freedom. A VPN extension is one convenient way to do this.
By installing an extension on your browser and connecting to a VPN wherever you use your browser, you will be able to divert your internet connection via a server in a location of your choice. When you do this, you conceal your IP and browse under that of the VPN server. Without access to your device IP, websites and ISPs won’t be able to identify you or determine where you’re browsing from in order to apply geo-blocks.
As such, by just changing locations with your new VPN extension, you will be able to use your browser to access any sites or online services that are blocked off to people in your country. This is particularly useful when you want to watch region-specific content on streaming platforms like Netflix, for example.
Tighter cybersecurity and greater privacy
A VPN extension doesn’t just let you change your location, it also helps you to protect yourself against cyber threats. It does this in a couple of important ways.
Firstly, by masking your IP, your VPN will prevent hackers and other malicious parties from tracking you. That means that it can help to prevent potential cyberattacks. Secondly, a VPN extension will also encrypt any traffic coming to or from your browser. This means that your data will be protected from exploitation in the event that someone attempts to intercept it.
With cybercrime becoming extremely prevalent across the Internet, it’s more important than ever that you are able to insulate yourself against possible cyber threats. A VPN extension will help you to do this, ensuring safer browsing sessions, even in instances where you are utilizing an open public network for internet access.
Better connection performance
One of the great things about the development of high-speed internet connections is that you can now stream and download to your heart’s content. That is, at least in theory. The unfortunate reality, though, is that most ISPs don’t allow us to utilize our broadband plans to their maximum capacity. In attempts to control network congestion, ISPs have been known to throttle user connections when they detect certain high-bandwidth activities in progress. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’ve shelled out for an expensive plan. Fortunately, a VPN extension can help with this.
As we’ve touched on, a VPN extension will both conceal your IP and encrypt your browser traffic. Aside from helping you bypass geo-blocks and protecting you from cyber threats, this will also prevent your ISP from monitoring your online activities when you use your browser. That means that will be unable to determine if you are streaming or downloading, and so won’t employ bandwidth throttling. In this way, your new VPN extension can help you to improve connection performance and get maximum value out of your internet plan.
Conclusion
The digital space is a lot more complicated than it once was, but it doesn’t have to be. With a VPN extension at your disposal, you can bypass blocks, safeguard your data, and defend against bandwidth throttling to prevent to ensure that you have the ultimate browsing experience every time you go online.