With most of the world’s lockdowns lifting and travel returning to normal, many people keep going abroad again. However, the costs involved with travelling are immense and saving some money wherever possible is always a great idea.
One place that you may be able to save money is in your accommodation costs. The prices set by hotels, guest houses and other forms of accommodation can vary sometimes depending on where you are from.
Luckily, there is a way to bypass this. VPN software can change the location of your IP address. In this article, we will be exploring how that is possible and why you need a VPN when you are travelling.
What is a VPN?
A VPN or virtual private network is software that you can install on your device. It will allow you to encrypt your internet connection. This means that no one will be able to see what you are doing on your device, adding an extra layer of privacy and security.
Many people will use a VPN program for the added security benefit they get, however, there is another feature that is extremely useful on VPN software. It will also give you the ability to change the location of your IP address.
You can do this by connecting to one of the VPN’s global servers, which are often several different countries. This will allow you to browse the internet as if you were in that country. For example, if you were based in the UK, you could set your IP address to the US and browser the internet as if you were connected to the internet in the US.
How Can a VPN Help You find Cheaper Accommodation?
All of this might sound great, but you might be wondering how a cybersecurity tool can help you to get cheaper accommodation while you’re travelling. This mainly comes down to having the ability to change your location.
Websites that allow you to book accommodation will often track your location. The prices of staying at the accommodation will change depending on your location. This is a simple tactic that has been used for many years that allows them to make more money off of foreign visitors.
Accommodation is often charged at a higher rate to tourists because they are willing to spend the money and they do not have a complete understanding of how much things cost in that region.
For example, if you are travelling to Bali, you should use a VPN to change your location and see which server will give you the best prices. Oftentimes, it will be the local country that will give the best prices. Doing this is very simple, you can follow the steps below for a quick guide:
- Find a VPN provider that suits your needs. There are many to choose from and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s best to do some research and find a couple of reviews.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device that you are using to book your accommodation.
- Create your account with the VPN provider. Many of them have monthly and annual subscriptions, however, if you are just looking for accommodation you can always use the free version even though it does have some limitations.
- Activate your VPN and select one of the global servers. Choose the country that you are travelling to for the best prices.
- Enjoy your holiday while saving money!
VPNs Are Also Essential For Safety When Travelling
It is always best to have a VPN installed on your device when you are travelling. This will maximize the safety and security of your device, especially when using public WiFi hotspots such as the ones found in hotels, airports and restaurants.
Public WiFi hotspots are extremely dangerous because they do not have secure connections. This means that anyone else can connect to the hotspot easily ad use that shared connection point to infiltrate your devices.
This will allow a cybercriminal to snoop around through your files and information. In some cases, they can commit crimes such as fraud and identity theft, and in other cases, they can install malicious software such as spyware and ransomware on your device without you knowing.
Having your VPN active during these situations will prevent a cyberattack because your internet connection will b encrypted. This means that no one can infiltrate your device from the WiFi hotspot.
Is it Legal to Use a VPN?
In the majority of countries, it is completely legal to use a VPN. For example, in the United States, the government encourages citizens to use VPN software because of the extra privacy and security that it offers.
However, some countries have banned the use of a VPN and made it illegal. This comes down to either legal or religious reasons depending on the country in question. An example of one of these countries is China, which has set up what is known as the Great Firewall. This is used to censor specific internet content such as foreign news websites, social media and even Google.
Despite the use of a VPN being illegal in China, there have been no reports of any fines or arrests being made on people who use VPNs. The way that they control the use of a VPN is by blocking the websites that allow you to download them. However, if it has already been installed on your device, then a VPN will still work. If you are visiting a country where VPNs are illegal, you can use them at your own risk. However, you must ensure that you download it before visiting the country.
