For many people, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a crucial Internet security tool. It helps protect your data and hide your computer’s IP address from the prying eyes of ISP providers, governments and online advertisers.

VPNs are particularly useful in this era of working from home. They help you access your company’s web data securely and protect your customers’ personal information from unauthorized users. That said, a VPN does more than protect you. Below is a list of 7 different ways to make the best of your Virtual Private Network.

1—Browse the Internet Anonymously

By hiding your computer’s IP address, a VPN can help you browse social media, shopping sites and gaming platforms anonymously. No one can trace your IP address, at least if you use the best VPN networks. Cheap and free VPNs have plenty of vulnerabilities that could expose your identity.

For example, some free VPNs can leak your IP address. Others collect your data and could hand it over to an intrusive government. As a result, the best way to guarantee an entirely anonymous browsing experience is to use a premium, top-rated VPN.

Sure, you might have to spend $3 to $10 on a monthly fee. But the best Virtual Private Networks are often worth the costs. That’s because they provide a high level of security. And isn’t that the entire purpose of owning a VPN?

2—Streaming Blocked Content

Although content streaming networks are on the rise, many of them utilize geo-fencing for legal and business reasons. Netflix US, for example, provides exclusive shows to people in the US and you can’t watch some of its content on Netflix UK.

Likewise, it’s difficult to access premium BBC iPlayer content while outside of the UK unless you have a good VPN. Virtual Private Networks uses unique such an advanced level of data encryption that you can bypass any Geo-fencing tools with use.

In other words, you can watch Netflix US shows while in Europe or binge watch Bollywood movies while in Africa. To be clear, VPNs perform differently when it comes to unblocking geo-fenced content. Many providers can unblock social media sites and a handful of streaming networks. However, it takes an effective VPN to unblock Netflix US and BBC iPlayer.

3—Defeat Hackers

One of the basic uses of a VPN is to encrypt your data so that hackers and other unauthorized Internet users can’t get hold of it. You could be using public Wi-Fi or torrenting. If you have a VPN turned on, then it can hide your personal information from the reach of hackers.

As mentioned, hackers aren’t the only people that like prying on people’s data. Many shopping websites track your data to determine which adverts to show you. Although it helps the companies increase their bottom line, being targeted with adverts can be annoying.

Another data tracking culprit is your ISP provider. They track your data to monitor your Internet use. And if you’re a heavy data user, they could throttle your Internet speed. A VPN can protect you from targeted advertising and ISP providers.

4—Find the Best Online Deals

Besides helping you avoid targeted ads; VPNs can also help you discover the best deals online. Conventionally, sites detect where you’re based and show you ads for people in that city or country. Let’s say you’re on a trip to Japan.

Your favorite site for buying flight tickets could show you slightly more expensive prices compared to their prices for people in New York. With a VPN, you can switch your located to the Big Apple and get better deals. This also applies to all other kinds of shopping.

Another way to utilize a VPN for shopping is when you need to access your local sites. You could be India and Amazon directs you to Amazon India. But you want to access Amazon UK so that you shop using the GBP currency and request delivery to your home address. A VPN can come in handy.

5—Beat Censorship

So, you live in a country where Facebook is banned? You don’t have to leave your country to access the social site. Instead, you need a good VPN to beat your country’s firewall, even a powerful tool like the Great Firewall of China.

Of course, censorship doesn’t just happen at the government level. Some companies also censor employees against using social networks and certain websites during office hours. You can use a VPN to beat these restrictions, often without raising alarm to your bosses.

Another place where you can be restricted is at your college. Many campuses block students from using Wi-Fi to play video games, torrent or visit adult websites. With a VPN, you can hide your IP address and bypass all the restrictions placed on your school Wi-Fi.

6—Enhance your Gaming Experience

As we mentioned earlier, some ISP providers have a tendency of throttling Internet connections for heavy Internet users. Gamers are included in this category, which is why some many experts advise video game players to use VPNs when streaming.

A VPN prevents your ISP provider from determining the gaming sites you visit and how often you stream content. And in doing so, it ensures you receive fast, and reliable Internet connections consistently. Streaming speed aside, a VPN can help you download new video games not yet available in your country.

On the other hand, it can help you avoid unwarranted DDoS attacks from malicious players and unfair bans from streaming platforms. Most of these unwanted activities target your IP address. So, by hiding it through a VPN, it becomes difficult for games to ban you based on your computer’s address.

7—Adding Crypto Anonymity

Contrary to popular belief, Bitcoin and altcoins don’t give you total anonymity. Your transactions can be traced back to your IP address. Of course, that’s unless you use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network masks your identity so that anyone who tries to trace back your crypto transactions can’t reveal your identity.