During the recent COVID protests in China, protesters reportedly saw police checking the cell phones of passersby. They asked them if they had installed VPNs that could be used to circumvent China’s internet firewall. In Iran, anti-government protestors are using a combination of VPNs and TikTok to get their message out during a violent government crackdown.
"Many U.S. websites or applications don't allow you to access them from Europe or abroad," he says."For example, Netflix in France doesn't have the same TV shows or movies as in the USA. If you want the Netflix USA experience, you must have a VPN connection to an American location so you appear to be in the USA."
"Generally, VPNs are limited in the speed they provide, so they can make your online experience slower than usual," says Bob Bacheler, managing director ofWhy do VPNs slow down your connection speed? Experts say real-time encryption adds a delay, so you'll pay for the extra security with a little extra lag time. However, the best VPNs don't have any noticeable latency under most circumstances.
For some travelers, a VPN is a must. Brian Oberquell, a special-effects assistant from Port Moody, Canada, useswhen he's on the road. He says it protects his privacy and allows him to watch his favorite TV shows.