Why you should use a VPN while traveling
Jul 25, 2022
8 min read
If you’re hacked on holiday your dream vacation can quickly become a nightmare. Imagine losing access to your device or your bank account during a trip to a foreign country. Even if you’re able to avoid the cybercriminals who often prey on tourists, there are still plenty of good reasons to use a VPN while traveling.
Do I need a VPN when traveling?
Yes. A virtual private network is a powerful encryption tool that can function through an app on your device. A VPN service will help keep your browsing traffic safe from potential hackers, intrusive advertisers, and third-parties. Let's dive into some of the many benefits offered by this service.
Enhanced security
When you travel to foreign countries, you’re likely to connect to public Wi-Fi in airports, cafes, parks, and trains. Maybe you even use public computers to print your visa information or flight tickets.
Hackers can set up fake hotspots or access unsecured public routers, and so monitor your online activity. Once you’re connected, they can intercept your internet traffic, infect your device with malware, and steal your personal information.
When authenticating yourself on public Wi-Fi, you often need to type in your email address or phone number. However, if you’ve accidentally connected to a hacker’s hotspot, you could be exposing yourself to real danger.
A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your online activity. That means that, even if you’re using a malicious hotspot, the hacker behind it won’t be able to monitor your activity. Getting a VPN for traveling abroad is essential if you want to stay secure and private online.
NordVPN also has the Threat Protection feature that can help you abroad. It neutralizes cyber threats before they can do any real damage to your device. It helps you identify malware-ridden files, stops you from landing on malicious websites, and blocks trackers and intrusive ads on the spot.
Access blocked websites
Imagine that you’re visiting the Great Wall of China, and you want to update your social media or check the news while you’re there. Suddenly, you encounter another kind of wall: China’s Great Firewall. This phrase refers to the country’s wide-ranging internet restrictions which ban access to Western media and websites, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, Twitter, and more.
China is not alone: Iran, Vietnam, Russia, Cuba, and many other countries censor the internet and decide what their citizens can access.
With a VPN enabled, you can change your IP address, bypass censorship, and browse the internet freely. NordVPN even has obfuscated servers that are specifically designed to use in restrictive regimes. If you happen to work, study, or travel in one of these countries, a VPN is a vital tool.
Grab the best deals
Depending on the country in which you’re located, the prices for airline tickets, car reservations, and hotels might vary. That’s because businesses know that people in different countries can and will pay higher amounts for certain products and services.
If you use a VPN for traveling, you can hop between servers in different countries and find the best deals available. If you change your IP address with NordVPN, you can start hunting for the cheapest deals around the globe.
Connect to your home or office network securely
NordVPN's Meshnet feature lets you turn any device owned by you or a connected friend into a NordVPN endpoint. This lets you form a remote LAN connection with your home or office PC from anywhere in the world to share files or for other uses.
Checklist before hitting the road
- Update your apps. Hackers exploit software vulnerabilities, while developers patch flaws and introduce new security features. If you’re one of those people who likes to postpone updates, make sure you take care of this before your trip. Otherwise, you’re increasing the risk of getting yourself in trouble at the worst possible time.
- Use unique passwords. If you’ve been using the same password for all your accounts, we recommend creating new passwords today. Otherwise, a stolen phone or laptop could give hackers access to multiple accounts and profiles.
- Manage your bank account. So many people travel with their main debit card. Using the same credit card for online shopping, withdrawing money from ATMs abroad, and receiving your salary is not the best idea. Dedicate a separate bank account for traveling and keep a limited amount of money there.
- Get yourself a local SIM card. If you’re only planning to stay in one country, it’s a good idea to purchase a local SIM card. This way, you can avoid public Wi-Fi and increase your security.
Use a VPN. Before hitting the road, install a VPN app on all your devices. With one NordVPN account, you can protect up to six gadgets: smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more. The app is user friendly, so you can secure yourself with the click of a button.
How do I get a travel VPN?
To get the best from a VPN abroad, it should be fast and have servers in most countries. It is also a good idea to check how many devices you can connect the VPN to and whether it has malware protection.Here's how to set up a VPN for traveling abroad.
- Choose a reputable VPN provider. The best VPN companies use AES 256-bit encryption, boast a global network of servers, and stand by an impressive privacy policy. Secure VPNs are never free, so steer clear of them. Most free VPN apps make money by selling your data, and some have even been known to infect your device with trojans.
- Can you connect to the VPN internationally? Make sure that the VPN works in other countries by checking the server count. NordVPN has 5,200+ servers in 60 countries around the world, so you can connect to almost any place at any time.
- How many other features does the VPN have?You should get the most from your monthly VPN subscription. It should be easy to use, be available on different operating systems, and offer obfuscated servers. If you're in a country with strict internet laws, obfuscated servers will hide that you're using a VPN from the government. With that in mind, the last thing you need is a complicated app that you can't understand. To avoid further aggravation, choose a VPN with an intuitive interface and one that offers 24/7 customer support.
- How many other useful features does the VPN have? You should be getting the most from your monthly VPN subscription. It should be easy to use, be available on different operating systems and devices, and offer obfuscated servers. If you're in a country with strict internet laws, obfuscated servers will hide that you're using a VPN from the government. With that in mind, the last thing you need is a complicated app that you can't understand. To avoid further aggrevation, choose a VPN with an intuitive interface, and one that offers 24/7 customer support.
Commonly asked questions
- Can I get cheaper flights and hotels with a VPN? Some travel websites increase prices if you're based in certain countries. Flight and hotel prices can also change if you're booking from a wealthy country or if your holiday destination sees high demand. Luckily, a VPN can help you outsmart these unfair price fluctuations. Simply change your virtual location by selecting a server in a country of your choice and choose the best deal.
- Are VPNs legal? VPNs are legal in the US, the UK, and Canada. Some countries have banned the use of VPNs, so it's always a good idea to check the laws of the country you're visiting. If you find yourself in a VPN-restricting country, you should be extremely careful when choosing a VPN provider. Thoroughly research the VPN service you plan to use. Make sure the VPN doesn’t collect your data or pass it to third parties.
If you’re looking for a good VPN for travel, NordVPN is definitely a great choice. Don’t let a hacker ruin your holiday.
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