Alexandra Borgeaud
Research expert covering cybersecurity and tech in Latin America
VPNs - statistics & facts
Are you looking to secure your network, protect any sensitive information you enter on websites, or access geographically restricted or limited content on Netflix or YouTube? Then a virtual private network (VPN) might do the trick. In an age of online tracking and surveillance, VPNs have become a critical tool for achieving online privacy and security, as well as combatting cyberthreats, such as data hacks and identity theft.
Why is a VPN important to security?
A VPN is a software program responsible for ensuring a secure and private connection whenever somebody accesses the internet. When a user goes online, a resource access request on the world wide web is first received by the user’s internet service provider (ISP), which then redirects it to its destination. Devices are continuously exchanging data such as browsing history, device identifiers, information on operating systems in use, and most importantly, the IP address – also called a digital address – which is unique to the user’s internet connection and can pinpoint their exact location. Simply put, a VPN assigns an anonymous IP address the moment a user connects to the internet, rerouting the connection through a server in its network and encrypting the data. It is then not surprising that the main reason for VPN usage is privacy. While a VPN does not have the same functions as an anti–virus software, it does ensure increased security by encrypting the individual’s internet history and protecting their IP address. In 2022, the global VPN market was valued at around 45 billion U.S. dollars, with India’s VPN market being the world’s largest at under17 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, followed by China and Indonesia. As for market players, in 2024, RSA led the global network security software industry with a market share of over 11 percent.Potentially frustrating disadvantages do not overcome the benefits
Despite all the advantages, using a VPN has certain downfalls. Routing the user’s internet traffic through remote servers often leads to a slower internet connection. Another critical issue is that VPN usage is subject to various legal regulations, according to each country’s law. For example, VPNs are illegal in Belarus, North Korea, or Iraq, heavily restricted in Russia and the United Arab Emirates, and restricted in China, Iran, and Turkey. While VPNs are not flawless, many of the difficulties can be overcome by choosing the right VPN provider to ensure an online experience as secure and pleasant as possible.
