Top 5 Benefits of VPN for Travellers in Canada

A trip to or through Canada shouldn't mean missing out on your favourite websites or being locked out of accounts. Further, the last thing you want to worry about is the security of your internet connection or the safety of your personal data, whether that be log-ins or browsing history. The best VPN when you are in Canada should protect you from censorship, account lockouts, theft, and piracy. Keep reading for more information on what a VPN is and the five best reasons to use one while travelling in Canada.  

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What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure and private gateway to the internet. It is like a private home network, the internet provider box, that encrypts data travelling to and from your computer and the internet databases of the world. A VPN, however, is virtual, more like remotely accessing the internet from your home network, but much safer over long distances. There are VPN servers all over the world that you can connect to, to privatise and secure your wireless data. 

Five Reasons to Use a VPN while Travelling in Canada

1. Censorship

Canada has begun censoring and monitoring internet usage and data. Sadly, hackers can use this mechanism to easily bypass security protocols and see sensitive data. The last thing you want when travelling in Canada, or even living in Canada, is missing out on your favourite blogs or websites simply because the Canadian government doesn't agree with the opinion of that country, company, journalist, or blogger. Further, if you really want to access world news in other countries as it happens, that might be censored too. Canada has their own versions of the SOPA and PIPA bills. 

2. Media

Accessing media while in Canada or travelling from Canada to somewhere else, might mean missing out on your favourite news channels or TV shows simply because that company doesn't have the rights to broadcast on the internet outside of the country they are licensed in. Complicated agreement rights between networks can make it nearly impossible to access TV shows and TV websites like HULU, Spotify, CBC, and more. A VPN can grant you access to TV channel and music websites in other countries, so you won’t have to wait until it gets released in Canada. 

3. Restricted Content

Prominent social networks, search browser services, VOIP services, and P2P networks are often cut, restricted, or banned, especially during times of crises, when certain companies fear losing revenue to them, or because they make data hard to collect for government collection programs. Further, even some city blocks, WiFi hotspots, or apartment buildings may block certain websites they feel may threaten their networks. A Canadian VPN can help you stay in touch using the services your foreign friends have at their disposal.

4. Banking Lockouts

We all know to call our banks and credit card companies before travelling abroad to prevent lockouts, but did you know that simply accessing your bank accounts, credit card accounts, and sometimes even email accounts from another state or country can also cause you to be locked out of your accounts and sometimes permanently? How difficult will travelling be if you have your emails or funds frozen simply because you tried to access those accounts from a different IP address. (For instance, without a special security key code you get for travelling out of the country, PayPal can lock you out of your accounts and even freeze your assets until you have jumped through enough hoops to get them back!) By connecting through a VPN in your home country, these accounts can remain open as you will have an IP address from your home country.

5. WebSurf

A VPN can enable you to surf the entire World Wide Web on any WiFi network with the added bonus of the security of your private data and no censorship by the free WiFi owner. A VPN will protect your data across openly accessible WiFi networks and their only slightly more secure WEP encryption relatives. Surf safely and securely from any WiFi hotspot and rest assured your data and private information is uncensored and safe.

Use a VPN When You Travel Canada

Fortunately, VPNs allow you to access any data, anywhere privately and without the worry that what you are reading is putting you on some government investigation list. A private VPN will keep your data channels open and your data safe from the prying eyes of the government and hackers. A VPN account is relatively inexpensive, costing as little as $6 per month or $50 per year. It is a small price to pay for internet freedom and an added wall of security to your finances.