When you log onto the internet from home, you are typically doing so through your private, secured Wi-Fi. Your private Wi-Fi network should have a password, which keeps outsiders from seeing your internet activity. And you get this protection without having to take that extra step of first logging into a VPN service before accessing the web.
This only works, though, if your home Wi-Fi is protected by a complex and unique password. Your internet service provider, or ISP, probably required that you choose a password when setting up service. Make sure that password is a strong one so others can’t guess it.
Worth noting: Most Wi-Fi routers come with default passwords, and those passwords can often be easily found online, so it is wise to change your default password to something unique and complex.
Another issue related to using a VPN at home? Your online browsing could become more frustrating. Because you first connect to another outside server when using a VPN, your browsing speed could slow.
There are exceptions where you might consider using a VPN at home. You might want to use a VPN if you’re worried about your ISP tracking your online activity. If you connect to the internet through a VPN, the provider of your internet services won’t be able to see what you’re doing online.
However, the company that provides your VPN service will. If you trust that company more than your internet service provider, then using VPN at home might make sense.
Another solution? A no-log VPN can help if you’re concerned about privacy. A no-log VPN means that the VPN provider does not collect, or “log,” any information transmitted through the network. That means they don’t save information about your personal details and your online activities. With a no-log VPN, your online privacy and anonymity are likely protected from everybody — even your VPN provider.
There’s another reason to use VPN. It can help you stream content or watch sporting events that aren’t available in your location. Keep in mind you should understand any contractual agreements you’ve accepted with your streaming provider. Further, governmental regulations in other regions or countries might make this a bad idea.
Even so, here’s how it would work.
Maybe you subscribe to a streaming service that offers different movies or TV shows depending on whether you’re in the United States, Britain, Spain, or Germany. You might want to access a movie that’s only available in Britain. Problem is, you’re based in the United States.
One way to do this is to first log into a VPN service that is based in Britain. You could then log into the streaming service, because that service may think — based on the IP address that identifies location — you’re based not in the United States, but in Britain.
Be aware, though, that many streaming services recognize this trick and will block it. Others, though, won’t. In any case, keep in mind that you might be violating certain regional rules.
https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/do-you-need-a-vpn-at-home
