Whenever you browse the web, you leave behind a trail of data such as your location, browsing history, and even your personal preferences. Nowadays, many people have started using VPNs mostly to keep themselves anonymous and protect themselves from cyber threats.
In fact, 31% of internet users now use a VPN on a regular basis. Usually, a free VPN for Chrome comes with hidden features that go beyond just hiding your IP address. These features keep users protected from any online threats or unexpected scenarios.
Browser VPN Hidden Features
Here are some features of browser VPNs that you might not know existed:
1. IP Address Leak Protection
One of the most crucial aspects of a VPN is making sure that your real IP address stays hidden from hackers. However, the unfortunate news is that these VPNs are not 100% accurate and could leak for various technical reasons.
But there’s good news, too. Many VPNs come with built-in IP leak protection to prevent this from happening altogether. This feature detects and blocks any attempt to expose your real IP and disconnects the VPN before it happens so you stay anonymous.
2. Geo-Spoofing Beyond Streaming
Many people who use VPNs know that they are the best option out there to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. But the best ones do more than that.
They have advanced geo-spoofing features that trick websites into thinking that you are located in an entirely different country. You can also see if a product is cheaper in another country by changing your location with a VPN.
3. Tracking and Ad Blocking
Next up is the tracking and ad-blocking feature. Not all, but some of the browser VPNs have integrated tracking protection that stops websites from following you around with cookies or any other tracking technologies. In short, these tools block malicious trackers and intrusive ads to make sure you get a cleaner and faster browsing experience.
This comes in handy, especially when you’re tired of the irrelevant pop-up ads or being followed across multiple sites. The best part is that this feature also speeds up your browsing, which usually slows down due to unreliable VPNs.
4. Split Tunneling for Better Control
Another powerful feature offered by many browser VPNs is split tunneling. What this does is it allows you to route some of your internet traffic through the VPN while all other traffic goes through the regular path.
For instance, you might want to use the VPN for secure browsing and streaming. Just make sure you use the banking apps on your standard connection, as that might cause an issue in the backend. Split tunneling is great for only using it for apps that need to be protected more and keep you anonymous.
5. Automatic Kill Switch
Have you ever faced a situation where your connection dropped unexpectedly? If so, then you’d love this feature. The kill switch feature prevents any data from leaking if your VPN connection fails.
This makes sure your privacy is maintained even if something goes wrong with the VPN connection. However, the only problem is not all browser VPNs have it, so make sure you get the one that has it to protect your data and browsing.
6. No-Logs Policy
A true no-logs policy means that your VPN provider does not track or store any of your online activities. Some browser VPNs go a step further by keeping it totally anonymous by not recording anything and from where.
This feature is crucial if you’re serious about keeping your online privacy because it means that no one can access your browsing history, even if that’s your VPN provider or any government agencies.
7. DNS Leak Protection
If you don’t know what DNS is, it’s basically something that is responsible for translating website names into IP addresses. Without a proper VPN, your DNS queries can easily be exposed, which would reveal the websites you have been browsing.
Most VPNs come with DNS leak protection, which routes your DNS requests through the encrypted VPN tunnel. It ensures that even your DNS queries remain hidden from your ISP or any third parties.
8. Multi-Device Synchronization
The last feature that you might never know about is that modern VPN services allow you to sync your browser VPN on multiple devices. But why? It’s because if you’re using a VPN on your browser, you might want to use the same one on your phone or tablet.
Conclusion
If you didn’t know what VPNs are capable of before, you certainly know that now. So if you haven’t explored these features yet, this is the right time. Secure your browsing with a VPN and maximize your online security. Try out these hidden features today and the difference they can make in your overall browsing experience.
