Apps

How to Delete Apps on iPhone 7 (And other iPhones)

Last updated on November 11, 2019

Looking on how to delete apps on iPhone 7? There are quite a few different ways to do it – some of which are easier than others. But, it all comes down to personal preferences, really. That’s why we decided to show you all the different methods that we know.

Most of the solutions that we are about to mention should work on other iPhones as well. But, that is largely going to depend on what version of iOS you’re running. In any case, here’s how to delete apps on iPhone 7!

1: Use the “X” Buttons on Your Home Screen

Arguably, the easiest way to delete apps on iPhone devices is by using the “X” button that appears when you hold an app down for an extended period of time. You can do that straight from the home screen. So, this method doesn’t even require you to scrabble through different settings and menus or anything like that.

To delete an app from the home screen:

Press down on any app of and hold it down there for a couple of seconds
Wait until multiple “X” buttons start appearing on multiple apps
Click the “X” button on the app that you wish to uninstall
Press “Delete”
And that’s about it.

Again, this is quite possibly the easiest method of uninstalling apps on iPhone 7 and pretty much any other iPhone as well. So, just start with that.

Some very important, pre-installed apps are not removable at all. So, if you don’t see an “X” button above the app that you wish to uninstall, then perhaps it’s for the best to leave it untouched in the first place.

We’re talking about apps like the Camera, Find iPhone, Wallet, Music, and anything like that. There are a few tricks that you can use to remove such apps. But, let’s not go there. That’s a topic for another time.

Newer versions of iOS will display a small menu first. If you click on the “Edit Home Screen” button, the same “X” buttons that allow us to uninstall apps should come up.

2: How to Uninstall Apps on iPhone 7 Through the Settings

Compared to the “traditional” method, uninstalling apps through the settings is a bit more complicated. But, it’s all a matter of getting used to it. Step by step:

Go to the Settings app
Select “General”
Storage & iCloud settings
Manage Storage/iPhone Storage
Find the app that you wish to uninstall and then choose it
Select “Delete app”
Confirm
And that’s it

The exact process may slightly differ depending on the version of iOS that you’re running. But, the truth is that things haven’t changed all that much through the years. So, that shouldn’t be a massive issue.

Do keep in mind that there are times when this method may allow you to even delete important apps. Do be careful with that.

3: How to Uninstall Apps on iPhone 7 Through the App Store

As far as we know, this is something that can only be done on iOS 13. So, if you haven’t upgraded your phone (And many people didn’t), then chances are that you can skip this one.

In any case, here’s how to uninstall apps by using the app store:

Open the app store
Select your profile icon (Should be on the upper right corner)
Find the app or apps that you wish to uninstall
Then slide the app to the left and tap on the “Delete” button
Confirm
And that’s about it

Again, just like with the traditional method, some apps are not removable at all. So, don’t be surprised if there’s something that you can’t get rid of.

4: Perform a Factory Reset

If you want to get rid of everything that’s installed, then this is quite possibly your best bet. After all, getting rid of every app one by one can be a quite tiresome and time-consuming process.

Alternatively, you could also try looking for a 3rd party app uninstaller that can get rid of apps in bundles. In that way, you won’t have to worry all that much about losing your data.

Speaking of which, do backup everything on your phone before performing a factory reset as that will delete not only your apps, but also everything else on the device. You can use iTunes, iCloud, or whatever fits you best.

After that, here’s how to factory reset your iPhone 7:

Go to Settings
General
Reset
Select “Erase All Content and Settings”
Erase iPhone
Confirm
Insert your Apple ID/Password
Wait for the phone to delete everything
And that’s it

Again, this will delete everything on your iPhone device. After the process is complete, it’ll be as if you’re booting up the phone for the first time – meaning that you’ll be forced to set up everything again from scratch.

And if you didn’t make any backups, you can basically say goodbye to all photos, documents, or anything like that. You’ve been warned.

Wrapping Up

That’s all the information that we’ve got on how to delete apps on iPhone 7. There are also a few 3rd party apps that can be used to do the same job. But, since Apple gives us the ability to remove everything by default, we really don’t see any reason for referring to 3rd party services.

If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, feel free to let us know about them in the comments section down below!

How to Uninstall iTunes (Windows and Mac)

Last updated on September 19, 2019

Learning how to uninstall iTunes is quite simple. Why do it? Well, that’s up to you to decide, really. But, the truth is that as music streaming apps like Spotify are becoming more and more popular, other apps like iTunes are becoming more and more obsolete. So, we can’t really blame you for wanting to get rid of it.

Other than that, you may also want to simply re-install it or have one less thing to worry about. In any case, here’s how to uninstall iTunes on Windows and Mac!

How to Uninstall iTunes on Windows 10

Uninstalling apps in older versions of Windows was quite a bit tiresome, to say the least. Thankfully, Microsoft heard our pleas and made it much easier to do so in Windows 10.

Here’s how to remove iTunes in the latest version of Windows:

Click on the Windows icon (lower left part of the screen) or hit the Windows icon on your keyboard
Go to settings by clicking on the gear icon
Go to Apps
Scroll down until you find iTunes
Click on “Uninstall”
Confirm and follow any on-screen instructions
Done

In case that there are other Apple apps that you don’t need, you can remove them with the exact same method. Just repeat the uninstallation process and you should be good to go.

If you wish to install iTunes again, all you have to do is head over to its official website, download it, follow the installation instructions (Mostly just pressing on “Next”) and you should be good to go in no time. Just do keep in mind that you’ll need your log-in credentials (Apple ID and password).

How to Uninstall iTunes on Mac

Mac computers come with iTunes pre-installed. It’s considered a vital part of the operating system, so, do not uninstall it unless you absolutely have to. Obviously, that doesn’t apply for Windows.

That being said, if you simply wish to fix something that went wrong and re-install it, try running the installer first and see if that fixes the issue. In case you insist on uninstalling it, keep on reading, but don’t blame us in case that certain functionalities start breaking apart.

So, to uninstall iTunes on Mac, go to:

Finder
Applications
iTunes
Drag it to “Trash”
Click on “Trash” while holding down the “CTRL” key
And click on “Empty trash”

Chances are that you don’t have the required permissions to get rid of iTunes. And in that case, you’ll probably get a warning that looks like this:

In order to bypass that, we need to change iTune’s permissions. And in order to change the permissions, you’ll have to be an administrator (One who knows the password as well).

In order to do that:

Hold down CTRL while selecting iTunes
Click on “Sharing and permissions”
Click on the lock icon
Type in your password (Admin)
Set the read and write permissions to “Everyone”

And now you should be able to uninstall iTunes.

If you’re still unable to uninstall it to system restrictions, then it’s for the best to stop right here. Tinkering with system files is not for the faint of heart. Preferably, only for those who know what they are doing.

Wrapping Up

That’s all for now. Quite simple really. But, again, do be careful with Mac. If you’ve got any questions, let us know about them in the comments section down below and we’ll try to get back to you.

Surfshark VPN For iPhone Review

Last updated on August 17, 2019

Surfshark VPN for iPhone is an app that can increase your privacy, give you access to blocked websites, and even increase your security. And if you think that’s good, we’re just getting started!

This is one of the best deals that are out there right now as you’re getting a ton of features at a good price point. With that being said, let’s take a closer look into it!

Surfshark VPN For iPhone Review

Main Functionality

As mentioned above, Surfshark is a VPN. And the main purpose of a VPN is to increase your overall privacy while also allowing you to access regional blocked content. If you want more details on how that works, head to the bottom of this page.

Now, with that being said, different VPNs will offer a different set of features and functionality. So, let’s take a quick look at what Surfshark VPN for iPhone brings to the table!

1: Identity Protection And Data Theft

Your IP address can unveil a great deal of information about you from your location to even your name and address, depending on who gets his hands on it. An like it or not, our IP is visible to every single website that we visit.

As if that wasn’t enough, our connection is also not encrypted. So, basically, anyone who has the knowledge on how to steal information can almost freely do so.

That information may include anything from social media passwords to even login information on banking accounts. Needless to say that you definitely don’t want that.

Thankfully, Surfshark protects both your identity and information by concealing your IP and encrypting incoming and outcoming data/information.

2: Phishing Protection and Ad-Blocking

Phishing is a method that cyber criminals use to fool you into providing every bit of information that they need. There is a wide variety of methods to do that, but what matters is that more often than not, you won’t realize that you fell victim of a phishing scam until it’s too late.

For example, the scammer may create a fake copy of a banking website which looks and feels exactly the same. However, every bit of info that insert there will be sent over to the criminal instead of the bank.

So, you open an email which says that you need to log-in to your online bank account in order to check something out, you do, and without realizing, you end up giving all the information that the hacker needs.

That’s why Surfshark has implemented a phishing detection mechanism to protect us from such occurrences. Not to mention malware and intrusive ads.

3: Data Encryption

Encrypting outcoming and incoming information offers some massive benefits for both protection and privacy.

This single feature allows you to safely use public Wi-Fi, your banking account, crypto walled, and anything else that is normally prone to cyber criminal attacks.

4: No Borders

Many websites and even individual shows on Netflix are regionally blocked. That means that depending on where you live, you may not be able to access YouTube, Supernatural, or anything else that is regionally blocked.

Surfshark gives you the ability to bypass that by making it look as if you’re browsing through another country. Websites often look at the IP to determine the location of the one who is browsing.

So, if the VPN gives you an American IP, then the website that you’re browsing will think that you’re browsing from the USA regardless of where you really are.

Surfshark VPN for iPhone: Features and Pricing

Surfshark VPN for iPhone comes as cheap as $1.99 per month. That’s without a doubt one of the cheapest VPN apps we’ve ever seen and is definitely worth considering for the price alone.

But, obviously, there’s more to it than that! Apart from everything we’ve mentioned above, one thing that Surfshark offers that most VPNs don’t is the ability to use it on as many devices as you want.

That’s right! No restrictions! All you need to do is buy one subscription and then you are free to install it on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Firefox, and Chrome!

Then there’s also CleanWeb. This is one of the main functionalities that we mentioned above. It blocks all intrusive ads and malware/phishing attempts. And if you’re browsing through your phone, it can also save some data!

Now, with all of that being said, don’t forget that there is always the option of whitelisting specific apps and/or websites. For example, if you want to browse YouTube or your banking account without them going through the VPN and slowing you down, you can do it.

Surfshark VPN for iPhone: Security

Our information is only as secure as the VPN that we’re using. That’s why many popular reviewers often recommend not using any free VPN apps. Because, after all, nothing is free. What we don’t pay in money is often paid by other means – like private information!

For this reason, Surfshark has a strict no logs policy. Nobody is going to know what you’re doing online, including the ones that protect that information.

Then there is the other side of the wall that want to spy on you. That includes anything from cyber criminals to even the government.

And for that reason, Surfshark used camouflage mode, encryption, and MultiHop to protect you from prying eyes. Multi-Hop can be particularly useful for privacy as it goes through multiple connection points before finally reaching the main destination. Much like Tor, just in case you’re familiar with it.

What is a VPN? How Does it Work?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. There are numerous VPN apps out there with Surfshark being one of them.

The main purpose of a VPN is to conceal the IP address and encrypt any online information that the user is sending or receiving.

There are multiple ways of doing that. But, the most common one is without a doubt a sort of relay system.

Normally, when you’re browsing without a VPN, all the information goes from your computer to the ISP and then to the main server. However, a VPN will first send the data through the company’s servers and then towards the destination server.

So, if the company’s server is in the US and you’re browsing the web through France, then it’s going to appear as if you’re browsing through the US. Even if you’re not remotely close to it.

The best VPN apps have multiple servers all over the world which helps increasing privacy and also bypassing regional locks. That being said, Surfshark is not an exception to that rule.

Truth be told, the actual technical description is a tiny bit more complicated than that. But, that’s basically all you need to know as fast as possible.

Surfshark VPN for iPhone Review: Wrapping Up

Surfshark is overall a strong, secure, and trustworthy VPN that’s available for the very low price of $1.99 per month. It’s really hard to go wrong with it and that’s why we give it our seal of approval.

You can get it for most available platforms that are out there, including iOS. Check it out in the link down below!

Best Android Voice Recorder Apps to Get Right Now

Last updated on May 17, 2019

Are you on the lookout to find the best Android voice recorder app but can’t select one from the long list of options available? Here’s our personal pick of the best audio recorder apps that you can find on the Google Play Store right now for free.

Back in the day when mobile devices were intended to be nothing more than communication devices, you’d expect nothing more than text messaging and voice calls. However, as the technology behind mobile phones has evolved, so has the number of features that the manufacturers are able to pack into a single piece of technology. The modern smartphone can do a whole lot more than just be used for day-to-day communication, thanks to the power of internet connectivity, high-quality camera hardware, and plenty of software features built into the system.

One such feature comes through the secondary use of the microphone that is embedded into each and every mobile phone, which doubles up as a voice recorder. For years, the voice recorder app was a complimentary feature offered my almost every major smartphone manufacturer by default. With the inception of the Google Play Store, there has been an influx of Android voice recorder apps available for users to try out. Whether you’re a journalist who needs to record an interview on the go, want to save a voice note as a reminder, or just a musician trying to get some tunes right, a voice recorder app always comes in handy.

Best Android Voice Recorder Apps

Now that so many options to choose from, how do you settle upon the best audio recorder app for you? We’ve boiled it down to the best and brightest voice recorder apps that is ideal for capturing those voice notes anywhere at any time.

1. Easy Voice Recorder

This is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a voice recorder app that works as your daily companion for audio notetaking, capture class lectures, take down personal notes and more. You can choose the different compression formats to record in, and there’s no limit to the duration of the voice recordings that you take. You can easily share the saved audio notes, use the Easy Voice Recorder widget to quickly capture voice notes, and the support for Android Wear allows you to make recordings right from your smartwatch.

Get the Easy Voice Recorder App

2. Voice Recorder

One of the highest-rated Android voice recorder apps that you will find on the Google Play Store, this app comes provides you with the ability to create high quality sound recordings. The simplified user interface makes it easier for users of all age groups and experience to use the app with ease, and supports the two major audio formats of MP3 and OGG to create voice notes during business meetings, interviews, lectures, and more. The Voice Recorder app comes with a live audio spectrum analyzer, microphone gain calibration tool, and more.

Get the Voice Recorder App

3. Samsung Voice Recorder

Now available as an app that is free for use across the Android platform, Samsung Voice Recorder is your gateway to a high-quality sound recording experience. This Android voice recorder app is available in three modes – Standard where you get a basic and simplified sound recording experience, Interview mode that makes use of the two microphones on your device to measure the different waveforms separately, and the Voice Memo more than includes STT (on-screen text).

Get the Samsung Voice Recorder App

4. Music Maker JAM

While this specific app is designed to be a rival to the GarageBand virtual music studio that Apple has crafted, Music Maker JAM doubles up as a vital audio recording app. Designed to help up and coming musical talents to create their very own music and even record instrumental music, vocals, and sound effects right from the smartphone, Music Maker JAM makes it easier to share, manage, and even edit the voice recordings that you’ve created.

Get the Music Maker JAM App

5. Otter Voice Notes

Made for the professional notetaking use that many need during college lectures, important office meetings, and journalistic use, Otter Voice Notes is a step towards the evolution of Android voice recorder apps. Giving you the ability to easily transcribe all sorts of media and spoken content, the widget on your phone’s home screen will get you started right away, while the ability to include picture at a certain point in the recording, highlight key points, and the AI-powered engine for added punctuation makes Otter Voice Notes revolutionary.

Get the Otter Voice Notes App

6. Sony Audio Recorder

The Japanese tech giant seldom releases an app for open use across the Android platform, but when it does release products like the Audio Recorder app, you can expect the best from it. The simplified user interface will almost make you forget that the app comes packed with powerful features such as speech-to-text transcription, easily manage voice notes and edit them on the fly, easily share work across different media platforms, and the best part is that you get all of these premium features absolutely free.

Get the Sony Audio Recorder

7. Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Free)

Packed with the ability to record audio notes in MP3 format (which is universally compatible with every sound playback device and software), making the files compact and easily transferrable. You can change the quality up to 320-BIT and the format as well, along with the choice to transfer files wirelessly to a computer across a Wi-Fi network, or back it all up to the cloud, all thanks to the Dropbox integration.

Get the Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder App

8. WaveEditor for Android

If you are an audiophile who is not just looking for an Android voice recorder app that can not only save voice notes but also edit the recording to the very core, then the WaveEditor app is the one for you. Built with multi-track mixing and editing, support for both MP3 and WAV formats, and packed with sound editing features such as 32-BIT signal processing, amplitude meter, sample editing and more, you can break down the audio notes to bits, process and analyze them further, and comes with a bunch of premium features in the paid version.

Get the WaveEditor for Android App

Final Words

Audio recording is a handy feature to have, and if you are among the smartphone owners who don’t get the feature right out of the box, third-party apps are the way to go. The fact of the matter is that most people are going to download one audio recorder app and stick with it for years to come. Rather than just mentioning a list of Android voice recorder apps that top the list on the Google Play Store, we’ve cherry-pick the most unique offerings that are available for users to download for free.

Which of these audio recording apps for Android devices are your absolute favorite when it comes to creating audio notes and transcribing lectures, meetings, and interviews? Be sure to share your favorite and if we’ve missed on a great product, mention it in the comments and we’ll surely review it and add it to the rest of the good ones.

How to Delete Snapchat Account on iPhone And Android

Last updated on May 16, 2019

Looking on how to delete Snapchat account on iPhone or Android devices? We’ve got a couple of easy solutions for you right here. So, without any further ado, let’s check them out!

1: How to Delete Snapchat Account on iPhone

Unfortunately, this only works for iPhone users. We’re not sure why, but the Android app doesn’t allow you to delete your account without accessing the website. So, if you’re on Android, move on to the second step.

For our iPhone users, all you need to do is follow these easy steps:

Open Snapchat
Bring the profile menu forward by swiping down or by clicking to your profile icon
Select the gear icon on the upper right corner
Go to “Support”
Head over to “My account and settings”
Select “Delete my account”
Enter your password then hit continue
Your account is now deactivated

After that, your account will get deactivated and if you don’t activate it again in the next 30 days, then it will get permanently deleted. So, you’ve got a bit of time to rethink your decision. Just in case.

Now, this process may slightly change with every new update. And while we always try to keep all of our guides updated, there is a chance that we’ll miss it due to the high volume of guides that we’re creating on a weekly basis.

For the reasons that we mentioned above, if you follow these steps and you’re still unable to delete your account, or if you can’t follow them at all, move on to our second method which should work normally regardless of what version of Snapchat you have installed. Also works for Android

2: How to delete your Snapchat on both Android and iPhone

This is a bit of a universal method as it works for both Android and iPhone. It’s also the most effective method because you won’t have to worry about which version of the app is installed.

The reason that this works for both platforms and regardless of the version that is installed is because you have to do it by using a browser. It doesn’t matter if it’s from your phone or PC. Whatever suits you best.

Head over to Snapchat’s accounts portal
Insert your login credentials (Keep that private. If you’ve forgotten your password, just click on the “I forgot my password button”)
Insert your password one more time then click on “Continue”
Done

So, that’s all. Simple isn’t it? Again, in case you change your mind, you still have 30 days to re-activate your account. All you need to do is login and it’ll keep on working like nothing ever happened.

If you just leave it be, then your account will be permanently deleted. You’re still free to make another account if you ever wish to do so, but your old one will be gone forever. So, do keep that in mind.

That’s all for now. Those are the two easiest ways of deleting your Snapchat account. If you’ve got any questions or if you came across any issues, then let us know about them in the comments section down below!

How to Block Websites on Android – 2 Ways to Do It

Last updated on May 8, 2019

Trying to keep the online content on lockdown by learning how to block websites on Android phone and tablet? Here’s why it’s necessary and our complete guide on how you can do it in more than just one way.

The beauty of the World Wide Web is that it is virtually infinite and packed with a world of possibilities. The access to information of all sorts, from the history of the Mayan Civilization, to the latest and greatest in upcoming technology – the internet offers us an insight into everything there is to know about the world that we live in. Thanks to the rapid boost in infrastructure and the boost in wireless communication on a global scale, there are billions of internet users across the globe who are always connected.

But with all of the noteworthy aspects of the internet that have made it an evolutionary phenomenon, there also comes the dark side of the World Wide Web. With millions of websites up on the web already and thousands being created every single day, managing the content that viewers have access to, especially the young minds, can always be a hassle. This is why there has been a sharp increase in the need to learn how to block websites on Android, especially since a large chunk of unfiltered internet usage comes from mobile phones and tablets.

Why is There a Need to Block Websites?

While no one side the world is fighting for net neutrality and the usage of VPN services like ExpressVPN is on the rise, restricting access to certain websites may seem oppressive. However, in some scenarios, especially pertaining young viewers, restricting access to the internet and learning how to block websites on Android phones and tablets, is a necessary evil.

Adult content – There is no denying the fact that pornography makes up for a sizeable chunk of the internet traffic across the world. Regardless of your religious or moral beliefs on the subject, scientific studies do suggest that overexposure to sensitive content in children can negatively impact their behavior, which is all the more reason to have some sort of parental protection in place online.

Online Scams – The “Nigerian Prince” emailing you for money, or a specific website asking you for your credit card details is never a soothing sight. You don’t have to be a child to fall for an internet scam, but what can be done is blocking out these websites and the malicious intent that they are marketed with.

Malware and Virus – Whether it was through a shady torrent website or through a suspicious file that a website automatically downloaded on to your computer system, the internet is home to all sorts of Adware, Trojans, and other viruses. By blocking repeat offenders, you can keep a check on the health of the computer for good.

Why an Ad-Blocker isn’t the Fix

For as long as pesky ads have been on the internet, so has one or the other ad-blocker service to keep your browsing experience ad-free. However, when you compare ad-blocking to blocking websites, it’s not the same thing because although more ad-ridden websites may be worth blocking, you can still view the content offered by those websites. By understanding how to block a website, you can choose to completely eliminate any possibility other users, especially the young ones, you can cut the cord and bar access to the web portal entirely.

How to Block Websites on Android Phone and Tablet

Now that you’ve realized the importance of filtering out the content on your mobile phone and tablet, especially when there are young ones who are grabbing a hold of it every now and then, let’s discover the different ways by which you can actually block websites.

Method 1: Use BlockSite

This app that is designed to not only keep some of the malicious websites away but also help you curb your usage of social media and specific apps. BlockSite helps you stay productive by restricting access to the website URLs that you have blacklisted, and even set up scheduled timers for when you can use certain apps.

Download and install the BlockSite app from the Google Play Store (Download Link).
Head over to the Settings app to grant BlockSite Accessibility Permission.
Press on the “+” icon in the bottom right corner to add a Website or an App to the block list.
Type in the URL of the website you wish to block and press the checkmark icon in the top-right corner to confirm your action.
Once you have added the website to the block list, you will be unable to access it from the browser.
You will be able to see a banner in front of the screen which mentions that “This site is blocked by BlockSite”.

Apart from blocking specific websites, you can even limit the access to the apps that are installed on your Android phone or tablet. By setting up a scheduled timer, the BlockSite app can dictate at what time you, or others can use a certain app on the device.

Method 2: Use Firefox Browser

Google Chrome browser may be the undisputed champion when it comes to browsers, but when it comes to the mobile version, it falls behind. For instance, the is no solution on how to block websites on Android phone or tablet using the native Google Chrome app. However, thanks to the widespread support, Firefox for Android has included an add-on which brings this functionality to your device.

Go ahead and access the Google Play Store to download and install the Firefox Browser app (Download Link).
Open the app in and type “about:addons” in the URL bar to look for the Firefox add-ons available.
Tap on Browse all Firefox Add-ons and then type in Block Site in the search bar right on top of the page.
Press + Add to Firefox button and confirm your action to download and install it by selecting the Add
Now head back to the Add-ons screen to find the newly installed Block Site add-on available for use.
Type in the URL that you wish to block in the empty space and press the “+” icon to confirm your action.
The URL will now be added to the “List of blocked domains”.
Now every time you try to access the blocked website from the Firefox Browser app, it will give you the error “This site can’t be reached”.

Apart from the apps that have been highlighted above, you can also make sure of security apps such as NoRoot Firewall to block access to certain websites. By simply adding the host name or the domain name of a website, you can ensure that there’s no way to open the specific website from any browser on the mobile phone or tablet.

Final Words

The internet is meant to be a lot more than just a place to enjoy social media and waste hours streaming content on YouTube. Whether you’re a parent trying to keep certain addictive or malicious websites out of reach, or just want to instill some self-discipline by learning how to block websites on Android for your own good, the two methods highlighted above are a sure shot way to do it. If you have any better tools which can be used to block websites, or need help with the ones we’ve mentioned, just hit us up in the comments section and we’ll be sure to respond back soon.

Do I Need a VPN? Virtual Private Networks in a Nutshell

Last updated on April 9, 2019

Do I need a VPN? Why? Why not? And what is a VPN anyway? Chances are that you’ve asked yourself those questions at least once at some point; especially if you’re reading this article. VPN services are especially popular for those who are using streaming programs like Kodi.

The answers may be a bit more complicated than you may think. But, we’re planning on simplifying them as much as we can for you. So, let’s find out!

What is a VPN?

First of all, before realizing if you need a VPN or not, you must understand what a VPN is.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. You can install one as a program/app on your computer, phone, or whatever it is that you’re using to browse the internet.

These programs/services are used to disguise your IP address; aka your identity. Your IP address can reveal your location, browsing habits, and even your name. That largely depends on who gets a hold of it and it’s a bit more complicated than that. But, you get the basics.

A VPN service is ultimately, well, a service. And services need to get paid. So, do keep that in mind. The price differs from provider to provider.

There are some providers who will give you a free trial and there are also those who will give you their services for free. However, we’d recommend against the latter. If a service is free, then you may be the product. And nobody likes having his data sold to 3rd parties.

How does it work?

How does it work? Well, normally, upon browsing a website, your computer communicates directly with the website’s server and all the data/information goes back and forth unencrypted. This is how that order looks like without a VPN:

Your PC
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Why The Lucky Stiff

In that way, your ISP can see what you’re looking at and the websites that you’re browsing can see your IP address. That poses some serious privacy issues.

A VPN encrypts everything before sending it to your ISP, then sends it through one of their servers in another country, and only then does your request reach the website. Here’s how that looks like:

Your PC
VPN encrypts all information
ISP
VPN server
Why The Lucky Stiff

That’s the basic stuff on how a VPN works. It basically hides your identity and your online activities from any 3rd parties. That includes your ISP and even the government.

Also, websites will no longer receive your IP address which comes in handy in certain situations. Mostly for privacy, though.

So, Do I Need a VPN or Not?

The answer is: it depends. By all means. If you want that extra bit of security and privacy no matter who you are and what you do, go ahead. As long as your VPN provider is trustworthy, there is no downside to using a VPN.

If you already understand what a VPN is and how it works, then you should be able to make your own decision. For those of you who are still confused, we’ll use these categories and you can determine where you fall:

People who absolutely need a VPN
Those who may need a VPN
People who don’t need one at all

People who Absolutely Need a VPN

If you’re streaming any type of content that may be considered illegal in your country, then you absolutely need a VPN. Don’t even think about it. It’s not worth the risk.

What would you prefer? Paying a few bucks per month and not having to worry about a thing? Or pay nothing upfront but risking paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the line? It’s just not worth the risk.

Admittedly, getting caught while streaming illegal content is extremely rare. However, even if you only get caught once, the damage may be huge. So, in our opinion, if you’re streaming anything that your country may consider illegal, do absolutely use a VPN.

Apart from that, there are also those of you who are Geo-blocked; aka people who can’t access certain websites because of their country. China is infamous for preventing its people from accessing the major part of Google’s services like YouTube and Gmail.

So, if you need to access a specific website or service and your country or that service is preventing you from using it because you’re living in the said country, then you can definitely use a VPN to get around that.

Just do keep in mind that you need to select a different country than yours in the VPN program. Also one that has access to the website that you want to browse.

For an example, if you’re living in China and you want to access a website that is Geo-blocked, then don’t select China as your proffered country while using the VPN. Go with a European country, the USA, or any other region that has access to that website.

Last, but not least, there are also privacy freaks. And we mean that in a good way. If you’re really concerned about your privacy, then do definitely install a VPN as it both encrypts your data and hides your identity.

Overall, you really need a VPN if:

You’re engaging in anything that may be considered illegal in your country
Can’t access websites because of Geo restrictions
Really worry about your privacy

Those Who May Need a VPN And Those Who Don’t

You may be one of those people who never engage in anything that may be illegal and you may have no reason to hide your internet activity. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any people online who want to spy on you, steal your data, and use it against you.

For the sake of privacy, you may still want to use a VPN. It’s not an absolute requirement like it is with people who are streaming illegal content and stuff. But, it’s kinda recommended.

The only ones who don’t need a VPN are those who are always offline. Obviously, if you never connect to the Internet, then you won’t have anything to hide and nobody will be able to steal anything from you.

That, and there are also those who only connect to play some online games on Steam, watch YouTube, then go to sleep. If you’re that kind of person, you’re probably fine without a VPN.

However, the truth is that for most of us, the Internet is a big part of our lives. Communicating, looking for solutions to problems, learning things, entertaining ourselves, there is just so much to do on the Internet that it’d be a shame to not use it.

As a final note from us, do NOT confuse privacy with software security. An Antivirus and a VPN are two different things. So, do keep that in mind.

Conclusion

Hopefully that helped you decide if you need a VPN or not. If you still haven’t made up your mind, leave a comment down below and maybe we’ll be able to help you.

Feel like we forgot to mention something important? Maybe we got something wrong? Then please let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

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