The world economy has been subjected to numerous shocks, ranging from recessions to Covid-19, resulting in massive job losses. On the other hand, the global marketplaces, social media and online payment platforms have significantly grown, facilitating the emergence of freelance economy.
Nowadays, highly skilled professionals prefer to work as freelancers than being tied down to an 8-5 job. With favourable internet connection and a laptop, one can easily start freelancing. But that’s not all. It is important to obtain a vital tool that will make freelancing easy, safe and convenient. A virtual private network (VPN) is a must have for any freelancer who wants to get the best from the gig economy.
Below, we’ll look at why a VPN matters to a freelancer.
1. Sharing of Files
More than ever before, workers are demanding secure access to their files, at any time and from whatever device through file sharing. Freelancers, in the course of working online, have to share files with clients. Due to privacy concerns, it is important to share them in a secure way. That’s why a freelancer must always use a VPN.
The tool ensures that the exercise is done via a private network, thereby limiting any threats from malicious actors in cyberspace. What’s more, the VPN helps to bypass restrictions and filters while protecting your identity and data.
2. Safely Use Public Wi-Fi
Most freelancers tend to use public Wi-Fi whenever they are on transit. After all, who doesn’t want to save on internet costs when there is an option to do so? But unsecured public Wi-Fi is also a favourite for hackers because they use it to steal sensitive information from online users. And, if cybercriminals get hold of your data, they’ll not only put you at risk but will also compromise your client’s sensitive information. That’s exactly why you must use a VPN. It provides a layer of protection that thwarts any attempts by hackers to steal sensitive data.
3. Work anywhere
The essence of freelancing is to work anywhere without encountering any hiccups. However, sometimes your client’s CRM may be geo-restricted denying you a chance to work within a given jurisdiction. Now, suppose you are overseas and you have some free time. You may wish to use it to catch up on a particular deadline, but you can’t because the client’s site is geo restricted. Worry, not. With a VPN you can use change IP addresses and work seamlessly.
4. Watch Your Favourite Content
Regardless of where they are, freelancers need to take breaks and enjoy their favourite movies. But the reality is that some content is geo-restricted. Notably, sites such as Hulu and Netflix offer different content in different jurisdictions. But with a VPN, you can safely watch the American content when based in Bombay. The VPN enables you to dodge the pesky blockers
5. Access Better Network Connection
If there is something that pisses off a freelancer, it is poor network connectivity. Generally, a VPN improves your internet network connection because the non-free ones don’t come with bandwidth limitation. So, if you use a local VPN Point of Presence, you’ll be amazed at how fast your internet connection will be.
6. Enjoy Cheaper Flights
Freelancing means that you can work anywhere. Suppose you are a freelance journalist, you’ll definitely be travelling a lot. And, you will, of course, need the cheapest flights. Now, a VPN will not only help you in doing your research but also in getting the cheapest air fares. With a VPN you will skirt the cookies used by most airlines to determine your location and airfare. That way, you will get very competitive fares and save on your flights.
7. Research Anonymously
If you are a freelancer contracted to carry our research or competitor analysis, then a VPN will greatly help. Nobody wants to leave a trail of his internet activity online when researching a competitor. A VPN will enable you to surf anonymously without leaving your name, personal information or location.
8. Get More Clients
Success as a freelancer depends on how you can increase your clientele. When searching for customers, never allow your geographic location to limit you. Cast you net wide. A VPN is the appropriate tool to help you. Understand your target market and direct your pitches towards them, irrespective of their jurisdiction. With a VPN you can set up you profile in their local professional sites
Which VPN is ideal for freelancers?
The market is saturated with several VPNs, but only a few will make your freelancing experience exciting. Ideally, your choice should be from a provider with servers across the globe so that you can seamlessly connect from anywhere.
Also, the VPN should have 256-bit encryption to ensure that your data is secure. Moreover, the VPN must keep your browsing private, away from the prying eyes of hackers.
If you’ll be streaming content in the course of your freelance activities, then get a VPN that gives you unlimited bandwidth. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a free VPN because their bandwidth is limited and may frustrate you.
Importantly, get a VPN that doesn’t log your data. The truth of the matter is that most of them actually keep record of your browsing history, which is rather counterintuitive. The best VPN must never expose you by keeping your browsing history.
There are many good VPNs out there, but without going into the details of each, you can try one that meets the above criteria. For example, Nord VPN, Express VPN and Switcherry VPN will not only give you security but they will also enable you to stream without worrying about bandwidth.
However, you may already have come across Nord VPN and Express VPN. But let’s discuss about Switcherry – A powerful VPN that provides unlimited monthly traffic. Simply put it doesn’t give restrictions on your bandwidth usage. That said, it has a fast and reliable connection. Otherwise what else does a freelancer need than knowing that you can connect from anywhere without any hiccups?
And, as a regular online user, you pretty much understand how online ads can be frustrating. They not only clutter websites but also slow downloading speeds. To make things worse, they may even be repositories of malware. No wonder we all like ad blockers. But when using VPNs, not all of them come with ad blockers. That’s why switcherry stands out. It won’t ask you to download a separate App to access ad blocker feature. It’s inbuilt.
Finally, did you know that with one account you can use a VPN on five devices? Yes, Switcherry enables you to do that! So, as you choose the best VPN for a freelancer, make sure you get something that won’t disappoint.
