Since its inception, the Internet has been a place of boundless opportunity for people the world over. However, recent times have seen it become a more difficult place to navigate. Of course, there is the ever-present risk of a security breach to bear in mind, but many users are encountering a far an issue that is far more insidious but nonetheless detrimental to their online experience. That issue is geo-blocking.
The reality is that Internet Service Providers have a much greater impact on our online experiences than we might think. Not only do they have the ability to trigger bandwidth throttling to limit our ability to use certain sites or services, they can also apply geolocation-based blocks to stop us from accessing them at all. These measures can be applied for a wide variety of reasons too, from economic to geopolitical, meaning we cannot guarantee that we will always be able to access our favorite sites and cloud-based services when we need them.
At a time when we rely on the Internet in so many different facets of our lives, it stands to reason that you should seek to have more control over your online activities, and this is where VPN browser extensions come into play. In this article, we will discuss what VPN extensions do, and how they can enable you to enhance your browsing experience.
Background on VPN extensions
A VPN extension, like other kinds of browser extensions, is a piece of software designed to extend the functionality of your web browser. Specifically, a VPN extension adds the functionality of a Virtual Private Network, which enables you to reroute your data traffic via a secure tunnel to a server in a remote location. By using such an extension, you can browse more safely and securely.
Thanks to the recent boom in the VPN market, there are a wealth of different VPN options on the market nowadays, many of which come at no cost and are extremely easy to set up. That means that with just a couple of clicks, you can download and install a VPN Chrome extension and instantly restore your online freedom.
VPN extensions & geo-blocking
At a time when internet censorship is getting more and more common, geo-blocks are rapidly becoming the bane of the average user’s online experience. What many users are unaware of, however, is how exactly geo-blocking is employed.
Geo-blocking is primarily done by tracking user IP addresses. These addresses act as unique identifiers, allowing ISPs and websites to recognize specific devices and determine the geographic location of users. When you connect to the Internet normally, your IP is constantly visible, meaning that ISPs and sites can see where you are and apply blocks to sites and services according to their policies. Naturally, it can be frustrating to have your privacy encroached upon in this manner, but a VPN extension can provide a swift solution to the issue.
By redirecting your internet traffic through a remote server, your VPN extension will allow you to mask your device’s IP and browse the Internet under the guise of an alternate IP. This means that ISPs and sites cannot track your IP or identity where you are browsing from. As such, by simply selecting the appropriate server location when you use your VPN extension, you can bypass all geo-blocks and gain immediate access to services that would otherwise be off-limits to users in your region.
More advantages to using a VPN extension
Besides enabling you to circumvent geo-blocks, a VPN extension can also improve your browsing experience in a variety of other important ways. These include the following:
- Stable connection speeds
As we’ve mentioned, ISPs are often inclined to throttle users’ bandwidth when they identify certain types of activity, such as gaming, streaming, or downloading. VPNs can help to mitigate this problem.
Since a VPN extension encrypts your data traffic, it prevents ISPs from monitoring your activities. As such, they cannot trigger throttling, and that means better, more consistent connection speeds, faster downloads, and lower latency.
- Enhanced security
Cybersecurity is a high priority for all modern users, and a VPN extension can play an important role in this. By encrypting your data, a VPN extension prevents third parties from exploiting your data. Additionally, by masking your IP, a VPN extension can thwart hackers who may try to track your IP.
As such, a VPN can be a vital extra layer of insulation against cyber threats.
- Additional features
Depending on the specific option you choose, your VPN extension may also provide a range of extra functionalities. Many leading VPN extensions come with ad-block and anti-malware features, for instance. This means your browser extension can reduce the number of invasive and frustrating pop-ups you encounter and also protect against harmful malware.
Conclusion
The Internet was once a place of absolute freedom for users, but recent times have seen it become increasingly more restrictive, chiefly due to the existence of censorship and geo-blocking. However, a VPN extension can help you to retain your digital sovereignty and protect the integrity of your online experience. By installing a VPN extension, you can browse the internet safely and anonymously, bypassing blocks and protecting yourself in the process.