If you are a freelancer in the UK, you will most probably work with confidential data. Think of your customer’s payment details, for example. Whether you’re a coder, graphic designer, or writer, you don’t need much more than a decent laptop, a steady internet connection, and that’s all. This convenience is partly why so many freelancers work practically anywhere, anytime. But, there’s one thing virtually every freelancer can add to their job set up to ensure privacy and security, it’s an online UK VPN. On the roof of the apparent privacy and safety a VPN makes, there are loads of other advantages that can help you work smarter and even save money while you’re busy living the freelancer dream. This article covers five reasons why you, as a freelancer, should use a VPN.
What is a Virtual Private Network?
A Virtual Private Network or a VPN creates a safe network connection when working on shared networks. VPNs encode your internet traffic and disguise your online identity, making it more challenging for third parties to monitor your activities online and seize data.
A VPN masks your IP address by letting the network redirect it through a specially configured remote server run by a VPN host, which means your ISP and other third parties cannot keep track of which sites you hit or what information you send and collect online. A VPN acts like a strainer that turns all your information into jargon. Even if intruders were to get their hands on your data, it would be useless. VPN technology is also extensively used in corporate environments.
5 Reasons Why You Should Use a VPN
1. Access to Geo-restricted Sites
VPN has benefits other security or privacy applications can’t provide. You can, for instance, gain access to restricted websites that were earlier inaccessible. These sites are often restricted due to your geological area, and some countries overseas also restrict social media sites. Anyone who browses the internet through a VPN uses the location of the VPN server, allowing him to bypass any blockades. Plus, as a freelancer, you might need to access distinct archives and research from data libraries that are censored in your region, for that, an online UK VPN will come as handy as you require.
2. Office in the dark
With a VPN connection, you can surf the internet almost anonymously — no name, location, or personal data can be linked to your connection. Hackers will only retrieve the IP address of the VPN server and not yours.
3. Strong Network Connections
In general, your internet connection’s condition improves by using an online UK VPN. Yet, many VPN providers (especially free ones) have a bandwidth limitation in place, causing delays and reducing your internet speed. If you are using a local VPN location, you will notice that your internet connection is a lot smoother.
4. Transmitting Data
If you mostly have to deal with file sharing for your work with your customers, you might need to do so in a quick and safe way. With a VPN, you can receive and send your files with other clients for a long time, allowing you to share your files more quickly since you are using a local network.
5. Optimal Security
Nowadays, everyone and everything is online. Whether it is the tablet, PC, or smartphone, everyone is connected through the internet, which means that safety and online privacy have become one of the most significant challenges. Viruses or hackers are the concerns of many internet users. Specifically, when you are working with delicate data, each connection raises your chance of losing confidential data. That’s why it is significant to invest in good security, and a VPN service is a solution to this subject. A VPN makes sure that your connection is always secure and that hackers can’t see anything besides unreadable characters.
Which VPN is perfect for freelancers?
There’s no lack of VPNs on the market, but only a few will have what you’re searching for to earn the best freelancer history. Ideally, the VPN you pick should have a stable number of available servers worldwide, so you can always join when you’re traveling internationally or domestically.
You’ll also need an online UK VPN with premium encryption to keep your surfing unpassable. 256-bit AES technology is one of the famous encoding techniques out there and is also used by military organizations and banks to shield their data. Above this, you’ll also desire access to a mixture of VPN protocols to make you the perfect blend between speed and security when you’re surfing.
Limitless bandwidth is another important feature to search out for if you’re intending on streaming content. It can happen at a premium but is well worth it for those of us who need to binge on our shows unhindered.
Lastly, you’ll want a VPN that doesn’t log your data. It might sound counterintuitive, but some VPNs keep records of your surfing activities and can sell them to other parties or be pressured to turn them over to local law enforcement agencies, depending on where they operate.
The Bottomline
We suggest freelancers go for a paid, consumer-side VPN that does not cost fortunes, and does not log sensitive data or online activity. Privacy and digital safety are your fundamental rights. But as a freelancer, these concerns are all the more important because you are responsible to protect your client’s data as well.