Everything You Need to Know About VPNs as an American outside the USA

The country that basically invented the concept of freedom, the United States of America, is home to countless media channels, flooded with all types of entertainment. Censorship is almost non-existent, and US citizens can have access to countless media channels for very small prices.

Unfortunately, these content benefits don’t extend to the rest of the world. In fact, they don’t even extend to US citizens traveling aboard. Believe it or not, while content is not restricted by censorship in the U.S., it is restricted by location. As such, many of the websites that you can view freely or for very small costs when you are in the U.S.A. might be blocked the next time you leave the country. However, online restrictions are only as strong as a user’s desire to access restricted content. If you put a little effort into it, you can access any American website or platform, from anywhere in the world.

Read more to discover how to enjoy total browsing and streaming freedom, without any privacy or security risks.

How can content be restricted based on location?

Any device that has an internet connection, be it a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone or a smart toaster, requires an IP address. This address is necessary in order for a device to exchange protocols and connections with service providers. The IP address is a unique number, and each part of that address hold a piece of information, including your geographical address. Your geolocation is used in order to connect you to a nearby server so that you can benefit from the best connection. But your geolocation can also used to restrict your browsing.

What are VPNs and how do they work?

A VPN is a way in which you can connect to the internet, without being tracked, monitored, or even identified. Not only does it hide your location, but it also offers an extra layer of protection for your online data. For people without technical skills, a VPN might seem like software that hackers use. However, it is a simple and accessible service, that anyone can use. You only have to find a quality VPN provider, sign up for their services, and use the VPN in exchange for a monthly fee (just like it happens with any other service provider).

You will first have to create an account, and then you can use the VPN freely. The virtual network will hide your real IP address, and it will provide you with a fake temporary address. Using VPNs is completely legal, in most parts of the world, including the U.S. There are numerous legal reasons for you to want privacy when using the internet. However, if you use a virtual private network for illegal activities, you will have to answer for your actions if you are discovered. Basically, any action that is illegal without a virtual private network, will remain illegal when using such a service.

How to choose a good VPN for Americans who are outside the US?

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, there is no reason for you to miss your favorite entertainment and news providers when you are abroad. There are several VPNs that you can choose from. Finding the best one for you depends on your needs and your budget.

Here’s what to look for:

Accessibility

First and foremost, to view the websites that interest you, you need to find a VPN provider that has servers in the country that interests you; in this case, we are looking for VPNs with many servers in the U.S. Secondly, you should know that modern online website and platforms like Netflix, are not using VPN blockers. A quality VPN should be able to bypass these blockers and get you the desired content. Before you subscribe to a VPN provider, read some online reviews and make sure you are choosing a VPN capable of reaching your desired web content.

Security and inception

For a safe browsing experience, look for a VPN that doesn’t keep connection logs, and which carries protection features like kill switches of IP hiding protocols. You should also look for quality inscription mechanisms that direct your traffic through several servers to maintain a high level of anonymity.

Speed

If you use the VPN for entertainment purposes, a slow VPN could kill your live streaming mood. If you use the VPN for business or personal purposes, a slow connection can cause even more damage. As such, make sure to invest in a VPN with different configurations for different purposes, to ensure that you will never experience a sluggish connection.

Extra features

Like most service providers, VPNs try to offer some extra features to stand in front of their competitors. Multi-device availability is great for people who are constantly connected, seemingly switching from their smartphones to their laptops or tablets. Gamers might also want to look into P2P compatibility.

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