Why shop at brick-and-mortar stores when you can shop online from the comfort of your home? Online shopping has taken the world by storm, bringing an undeniably long list of upsides. Unfortunately, it has also brought along with it a few risks. However, the risks can be overcome and prevented using a VPN (virtual private network).
With a VPN as your companion during your online shopping spree, you can unlock and access exceptional deals and protect yourself from theft and fraud. In this blog post, you will learn how to maximize your shopping experience online.
How Do VPNs Help in Online Shopping?
VPNs act as an encrypted tunnel between the services and websites you use online and your device. Online shopping websites categorize users using their physical IP addresses. Hence, you may pay more according to your location. Using a VPN, you can alter the IP address and mislead the website into thinking you are in a different location. For instance, New York shoppers can connect to a VPN location in the UK and browse UK-specific websites, such as amazon.co.uk.
Also, VPNs encrypt the network users use to make browsing and shopping while connected to public Wi-Fi safer. VPN will secure your connection and allow you to send and receive sensitive information without worrying about cybersecurity threats.
These are some of the best VPNs for online shopping:
● Surfshark
Surfshark VPN service is one of the most reliable VPN options for avid online shoppers. It utilizes AES-256-GCM encryption and protects credit card information from identity thieves and hackers.
Surfshark boasts VPN servers across 100 countries and has a network of 3,200+ servers. With Surfshark, you can say goodbye to nosey hotels, airlines, or eCommerce stores using your location and IP address to inflate the prices of the products and services.
● NordVPN
NordVPN is another reliable VPN for online shoppers. It encrypts the traffic and prevents third parties and hackers from exploiting users’ credit cards, personal data, or other sensitive information. The VPN uses AES-256 encryption and ensures complete privacy of data and information.
NordVPN boasts ultra-fast servers across 60 countries so that you can mask your location without a second thought. You can choose your preferred location and find the best deals online. This will save you money in the long run.
● Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access offers maximum data protection with AES-256 encryption. There are also other data encryption levels that users can select according to their requirements. These include PPTP, OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc. The encryption levels offer varying connection speeds, but they all guarantee to keep users’ financial information safe.
Private Internet Access has over 35,000 servers, increasing the chances of finding a server near you and bagging the best online deals.
How Do Online Shopping Websites Dictate Prices?
Although they do it subtly, online services and websites do not treat customers equally. The price of the products or services is affected by whatever information the online vendor can discover about the customers.
One of the biggest roles in determining prices is played by location. The prices are believed to be higher for users browsing from affluent countries, ZIP codes, or cities. This is known as dynamic pricing and is a common strategy among several online vendors. Some websites charge users based on whether they use a PC or Mac.
With VPNs, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of dynamic pricing. You can use a VPN to connect to different server locations to check the price of specific services or items in different regions. This will help you find better deals, access exclusive deals, and save money in the long run. While saving money, VPNs also help secure your online network.
Benefits of Using a VPN During an Online Shopping Spree
● Protection of credit card information
More and more shoppers are turning to eCommerce websites because of their accessibility and convenience. This has led to an increasing number of credit card fraud cases. Also, the number of identity theft reports has increased over the years.
Using a VPN service, you can safeguard your credit card information from hackers. Using a VPN is mandatory if you are shopping on a new website, using public Wi-Fi, or traveling to an unfamiliar location. VPNs mask the IP address and encrypt data so your credit card information is safe.
● Buy flight tickets at lower prices
Airlines are known for adjusting prices according to a shopper’s location, but you can save money by using a VPN. The trick to getting flight tickets at cheaper prices is to change your location to a lower-income country. This will help you find cheaper flights compared to higher-income countries like the UK or US.
● Book hotel rooms at lower prices
Similar to flights, hotels change the accommodation prices according to the IP address of the shopper. So, if you are booking a room in the UK from the US, the prices will be much higher than booking from Africa.
Hence, use a VPN to change your location so you can save money on hotel accommodation and have extra cash for other activities.
● Access geo-restricted online stores
Are you traveling outside the USA? You might find that accessing Target, Amazon, and other US-based stores is only possible in some countries. Many American retailers are blocked in certain parts of the world, and this is where VPN comes to the rescue. You can change the server location and access geo-restricted online stores to complete your online shopping abroad.
The Bottom Line
In summation, VPNs help elevate the online shopping experience by unblocking exclusive deals and discounts and keeping credit card information safe from identity thefts and fraudsters. The prices of online services and products fluctuate according to the shopper’s location, and VPNs are the best solution to trick the online website into thinking you are shopping from a different location. Hence, you can save money by getting amazing deals.
If you have never shopped online using VPN, you are missing out on fantastic saving opportunities!