The first time I asked ‘What is a VPN?’ was because someone had suggested that I get one before going to China a few years ago. They said if I wanted to be able to access social media or even the internet, a VPN would let me bypass the restrictions that China has on both!
I thought it was some sort of secret spy ware that only seasoned travelers (or actual spies) knew about, but using a VPN is more common than you think! After using one as both a traveler and an expat, I would highly recommend getting one!
The VPN I’m using now as an expat in Barcelona is by IVPN, one of the most trusted virtual privacy companies in the World, and in my experience, one of the best values as well! I use an it not just for secure browsing, but also to reach my target audiences better on social media! I’ll explain all of the reasons below!
Let’s start with the basics:
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What is A VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and as the name implies, it is a connection that ensures online privacy. It can also mask your IP address and location, and allow you to choose a different location to show up as.
I’ll get to why those are all beneficial for expats and travelers in a second! But essentially some the reasons to use it are:
- Ensures Online Privacy
- Bypasses Geo-Restrictions
- Secures Public Wifi
- Prevents Tracking
- Prevents Hacks
How Do You Use It?
After selecting and purchasing your plan, you’ll be given a password for your account. All you have to do then is download the Ivacy app to the devices you want to use them on, and log in!
You can use your subscription for up to five devices in the same country, simultaneously!
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be prompted to select the country you’d like your location to be in. You can choose ‘Automatic’ if you want access to local content where you are, or like I said before, your home country if you want to see content from people there. More on this in a sec as well.
How Much Does an Ivacy VPN Cost?
There are several different types of VPN;s with different prices. I was shocked at how affordable an IVPN costs! For just $31 per year in the first your, you can have total privacy plus the perks of changing your location!
If you’re thinking of getting it, please click here using my link, because I get a small percentage of the purchase!
Benefits of Using a Virtual Privacy Network:
Alright now that you know what it basically is and how much it costs, let’s get to the fun part — the benefits of using a VPN!
Once connected to Ivacy, your original IP address is replaced with a new one, which makes you become untraceable.
By changing your location (meaning you can pick where you want your location to be), you can bypass restrictions like your Netflix not working, or Instagram not being available. For example, in China, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Disney+, etc are all blocked. BUT! If you set your VPN location to the U.S., you can still have regular access to everything!
By masking your IP Address, a VPN makes it impossible for hackers and cyber-attackers to steal your information when you use public WiFi.
Depending on your device and where you bought it (likely your home country), your IP address may not allow you to access certain local content where you’re now living. But instead of buying a new device, you can just get a VPN and change the IP location. You can also use it to change your IP address to your home country to access certain content on Netflix, Disney+ etc. I also use it to make sure I reach more of a U.S. audience on social media.
Hopefully this post has informed you about the amazing benefits of using a VPN as an expat or traveler! I was not paid for it but did get the VPN free, so if this article was useful, please comment and share on social media! Thank you!
My aunt is visiting China in the coming month, and this information comes in handy. Thank you.