Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi (as shown on the laptop screen) adds a vital layer of security. Even if the café’s network is compromised, the VPN’s encryption (“VPN: You are connected”) keeps your browsing and data transfers safe from eavesdroppers.
One of the most important use cases for a VPN is protecting your data on public Wi-Fi networks. If you’ve ever connected to the free Wi-Fi at an airport, hotel, or coffee shop, you’ve potentially exposed your internet traffic to everyone around you. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unencrypted, meaning other users (or the person running the hotspot) could sniff your data – a practice where hackers intercept data packets to steal information like logins or credit card numbers. Even on encrypted Wi-Fi, a rogue hotspot (like a fake “Free Airport WiFi” network set up by a hacker) can trick users into connecting and then spy on them.
A VPN is the go-to solution here. VPNs encrypt everything you do, so even if the Wi-Fi network is unsafe, all the hacker would see is scrambled data. That’s why in surveys, security on public Wi-Fi ranks as the #1 reason people use a VPN.
Beyond personal use, this is also critical for remote workers and businesses. In the wake of the remote work boom, employees often connect back to office networks from home or while traveling. Companies issue corporate VPN access so that remote workers can securely reach internal company resources (servers, databases, email, etc.) as if they were in the office. These enterprise VPNs not only encrypt the connection but also enforce access controls (only authorized users can get in). Businesses rely on VPNs to protect confidential data when workers are outside the office. If you’re a digital nomad or just checking work email from the airport, using a VPN (whether a personal one or your company’s) ensures that sensitive company information isn’t exposed on whatever network you’re using.
In summary, anytime you connect to the internet on a network you don’t fully trust, a VPN is your safety net. It turns a sketchy Wi-Fi hotspot into a secure connection. This peace of mind is invaluable for remote workers, travellers, and really anyone in our mobile, connected world.
Another huge draw of VPNs in 2025 is their ability to bypass geo-restrictions on content. Many websites and streaming services limit access based on your location. For example, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and other streaming platforms offer different shows and movies in different countries. News sites or sports streams might be blocked outside certain regions. And some services (like certain YouTube videos or Spotify content) might simply say “not available in your country.”
When you connect to a VPN server in the appropriate country, you can often trick services into thinking you are “local.” Your Netflix might suddenly show you the catalogue of the country where your VPN server is located. Want to watch a show that’s on UK Netflix while you’re in Asia? Connect to a UK VPN server and stream away. Similarly, VPNs have long been used to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, or Hulu and HBO Max from outside the US, etc. As TechRadar notes, a VPN grants you access to previously geo-blocked shows, movies, news sites, and even social media by spoofing your location.
A real-world scenario: Travelers and expats use VPNs to access home content. Say you’re on a business trip to China, where many Western sites and services (Google, Facebook, Netflix) are blocked by the “Great Firewall.” With a VPN on your laptop or phone, you can bypass local internet censorship and use the web as if you were back home. One user joked that thanks to her VPN, she “didn’t miss the latest episode of The Witcher” while in Beijing. Beyond entertainment, this is crucial for staying connected—using Gmail, WhatsApp, or reading uncensored news—when in a country with heavy internet restrictions.
It’s not just authoritarian censorship; even routine travel can raise geo-issues. For instance, an American in Europe might use a VPN to log into U.S.-only banking services securely, or a European in the U.S. might VPN into their home country to stream a local sports match. The VPN’s ability to “teleport” your connection is incredibly useful.
Do note: Streaming services have gotten better at detecting and blocking some VPN connections (they negotiate a constant cat-and-mouse game). By 2025, the leading VPN providers still usually stay a step ahead, maintaining servers that work with Netflix and others. Many VPNs advertise “streaming optimized” servers. If watching global Netflix or YouTube is a priority for you, it’s worth choosing a VPN known for streaming support. In our provider round-up below, we’ll mention which ones excel at this. Overall, for the globetrotter or the global content lover, a VPN is practically a must-have tool to enjoy an open internet without borders.
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Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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