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6 Surprising Benefits of Using a VPN for Working Remote

Is the internet faster in Chiang Mai or Cabo? Remote workers or digital nomads face questions that office workers need never answer. Their biggest worries often center on keeping their digital lives as reliable as possible. However, it’s trickier than it seems. Between government bans and public network hackers, remote workers need to rely on a VPN when they are away from their home office.

With desktop and smartphone apps, it’s simple to travel with a VPN. Here’s how you can get started using one.

In this article, you’ll learn about VPN perks, including:

  • Discounts on travel when you’re looking to hop from one place to the next 
  • Safe working from a downtown coffee shop or your Airbnb by the beach
  • Accessing banned websites and media in the country you’re residing in 
  • Easier banking access so you can always access your accounts
  • Free communication with friends and family when you’re away 

A VPN Can Help You Grab the Best Deals on Airfare, Hotels, and Cars

Travel prices fluctuate based on your IP address, browsing or purchase history, zip code, and even which Wi-Fi you’re connected to. So, when you search for an airline ticket without a VPN, you’re handing the carrier your IP address and location, which could result in higher ticket prices. By using a VPN, you can easily change the location you’re searching from so you don’t have to suffer from dynamic pricing. 

For example, booking a flight from the U.S. to Thailand is probably going to be more expensive if your VPN location is set in the U.S. versus if it’s set for Singapore. 

Tip: It’s also a good idea to try your search from multiple locations. Some services are less expensive when booked within the country. Also, don’t forget to clear your cookies each time you conduct a new search! 

Safely Work From the Beach, Coffee Shop, or Airbnb

Your web browser and the servers you access have to communicate, and on a public internet connection, that means sending data back and forth across a network anyone can access. As a digital nomad, that means you’re sharing your work with everyone in every coworking space you enter. With a VPN, your sensitive information remains private and therefore is a lot harder to hack when working in a public space. That’s why using a VPN for travel is a no-brainer. It privatizes your workspace, no matter what network you use. 

A VPN creates a private tunnel for you to access any sensitive information such as:

  • Passwords
  • Usernames
  • Emails
  • Intellectual property that belongs to your boss or clients 
  • Tax information
  • Contracts

Tip: In our comparison, NordVPN beat out ExpressVPN in security as a VPN for digital nomads with double encryption, making tracing a user almost impossible. 

Access Your Favorite Websites That Might Be Banned Abroad

Some business-friendly destinations for remote workers, like UAE and China, also happen to be countries that block access to popular websites within their borders. If you use sites like Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook for work, you won’t be able to work remotely from these locations without a VPN. By connecting to a VPN, you’ll have uninterrupted service in any country you visit for the sites you frequent the most. 

Tip: When we compared VPN services, we found ExpressVPN gets better marks than NordVPN in high-censorship countries like China for unlocking banned web content.

Watch TV on Your Favorite Streaming Platforms

You’ll need a VPN to access all your favorite shows on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, HBO, or BBC iPlayer back home. 

Why? Television show licensing deals are based on jurisdiction, and frustratingly, most services do not let users change their jurisdiction. You likely won’t be able to change your home location, either. You’ll get a different selection of shows than in your home country (which can be fun for some), but if your shows only stream in the U.S., a VPN is needed to access it. 

There’s no easier way to keep up with newly dropped episodes of “Ozark” when abroad than with a VPN.

Access Your Bank Accounts Without Getting Flagged

Not all remote-working digital nomads know when they’ll be home. Case in point: I once told my bank I’d be back in the country “after Thanksgiving.” Guess what happened on the morning of Black Friday? My accounts were frozen, and I was stranded in Nice, France. Thankfully, my bank had a 24-hour customer service center, or I would have been shut out of my funds.

Don’t be like me. Accessing your bank and credit accounts using a VPN can help avoid sudden locks that can come with digital nomads’ travel habits, as you can appear to be in your home country even when you’re not.

Communicate Safely With Friends and Family

When you’re abroad, you’re going to want to keep in touch with your family and friends. While some apps (like WhatsApp) are supported globally, a lot of apps do not. Additionally, not all Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls work without expensive international plans, and email comes with security concerns. The solution? A VPN for digital nomads can access your home region and all of the means of communication in it. You just have to dial away using your favorite VoIP or messaging program.  

Conclusion: A VPN is a Necessity for Digital Nomads

A VPN service for travel like those in the Batten Marketplace keeps your privacy intact even as your computer travels the world. That can help you keep your banking, communication, and work-related documents safe so you can keep exploring.