Everything I Wish I'd Known About VPNs Before I Started Using Them

Switching to a VPN has been a big change for my online privacy, but there are several things I wish I knew before I started using it.

1 Sometimes you may need to use incognito mode to use your VPN's location.

I use a VPN a lot to search for information that is not available in my region and to watch content that I would not otherwise have access to. However, I have noticed several times that I do not receive site-specific results unless I use incognito mode.

This issue mostly affects my iPad, and I can only say that it is frustrating at times. In addition to still getting shopping recommendations for my area, I also cannot access content—such as radio shows.

There are many advantages to browsing the Internet anonymously more often, but it would be nice if VPNs worked without it.

2 VPNs don't always unblock geo-restricted content.

Speaking of geo-restricted content, there’s a common misconception that your VPN will automatically unblock shows, movies, and live sports events that aren’t available in your region. This happens quite often, but it’s not a guarantee. For example, I’ve occasionally had trouble changing my Netflix catalog — even with a VPN (it is possible to watch Netflix with a VPN, though).

Again, the best way to watch geo-restricted content is through an incognito window. You can also look for VPN services that have specific tools to unblock streaming services and sporting events. There are several factors worth considering before subscribing to a VPN, and this is one of them.

3 If you are streaming live, be careful about the quality of the stream.

I am a football fan and follow the English Premier League and the English Football League, as well as international tournaments. However, I am sad to say that the quality of live streaming via VPN is not always the best.

I discovered this myself earlier in the summer of 2024. I was on holiday in Finland during the European Championships and tried to watch the England v Slovenia match on the BBC (the UK’s national broadcaster). However, the quality was so poor at times that I was watching footage from the 1960 European Championships.

In the end, I gave in and watched part of the match on Finnish TV (before turning it off completely because it was so bad). Even if you have an account on your streaming service, you should still consider the potentially low streaming quality you may have to deal with.

You can of course try different things to improve the quality, such as getting a strong base Wi-Fi connection. I also found that turning off the Wi-Fi on my smartphone helped.

4 You may not be able to access some sites and services.

I can often browse the internet through the VPN without any problems, but I sometimes run into issues when I prefer not to. For example, I sometimes found it difficult to access my mobile banking accounts when connected to the VPN. Furthermore, I found that there was no internet when the VPN was on at times.

In other cases, I had trouble purchasing tickets and performing other actions using the VPN. This isn’t a big deal if I’m connected to my home Wi-Fi, but it can be very annoying if I’m in a public place. I also occasionally get security alerts about logins, which is understandable if my device thinks I’m in another country.

Sometimes, the VPN may not be the cause of these issues. Rather, the server power may be the main issue. However, you should keep in mind that you may encounter issues.

5 Paid VPN subscriptions are often worth the investment.

There are many free VPNs out there, and I’ve compiled a list of VPNs that don’t require you to register or sign up. But from my personal experience, I would argue that getting a paid VPN subscription is worth the investment.

When using paid VPNs, you typically have access to a larger number of servers than you would normally have. As a result, you can choose the specific region you want to connect your device to. Furthermore, you can freely switch between servers if one of your connections is weak for any reason.

Many free VPNs also have data speed and usage limits, which can quickly become annoying if you want to use your VPN all the time. While some free VPNs are safe, others aren’t. You can usually try out VPNs with a free trial or risk-free period, so that’s where you can start if you’re not sure which one to choose.

6 VPNs are just one layer of online security.

Before I signed up for a VPN, I mistakenly believed that getting one would solve all of my problems with protecting myself online. But the truth is, VPNs are just one aspect of online security. And while they are important, you’re still putting yourself at risk if you don’t follow good privacy practices.

Having basic cybersecurity knowledge is essential; if you visit dangerous websites and download malware, your VPN won’t be able to help you much. You should also consider purchasing additional software, such as antivirus software. Just make sure you know what features your antivirus solution needs.

7 VPNs may drain your battery.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for, but probably should have been, was how much VPNs can drain my battery. I remember one of my first days using a VPN when I left it open and a YouTube video was playing on my screen (even though I had locked the screen). After I made myself some food and took a shower, my iPad got incredibly hot, and the battery drained significantly.

Since then, I’ve noticed that my battery drains much faster when connected to a VPN. If I’m watching a live sporting event, I often charge my device mid-game. Most of the time, I turn off the VPN when doing basic web browsing activities.

Results may vary, but you should be aware that your battery may not last as long when connected to a VPN.

8 VPNs are not just for connecting to the internet.

To be honest, the main reason I bought a VPN was so I could browse content from other parts of the world. While you may primarily use a VPN to access the internet, it’s much more than that. For example, ExpressVPN has a password manager that can help you keep your online login details safe across multiple devices.

Likewise, Proton VPN integrates well with other privacy-oriented tools like Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. It’s worth seeing what your VPN can offer beyond the internet.

While I recommend getting a VPN, you should have a more complete picture of what you’re getting before committing to using it. I highly recommend paying for a VPN, and it’s also a good idea to find one that can unblock content if that’s important to you.