For safe browsing, private browsing, or any other security-related activity, people often use VPNs. A VPN kill switch is a not-so-popular feature that almost all VPNs have. When the connection goes down, the kill switch automatically disconnects your device from the internet, too. As a result, your security is not affected, and you can continue browsing privately.
You can understand it better if we use an example, so let’s take Singapore as one. By using Singapore VPNs, people there can browse the banned online services. The local authorities don’t allow unlimited access to specific services related to torrents, some social media platforms, controversial news websites, and gambling platforms.
It’s the same in all countries that have strict internet rules, and people can’t freely browse. VPN is the most common solution to cover an IP to access banned services or services that aren’t already available in your country.
But let’s discuss the whole matter deeply so you can understand better why a VPN killer switch is a great option when using a VPN to browse.
Why Would You Need a VPN Kill Switch
We all think the internet is a global-accessible network available to anyone. However, some cases of censorship or services not being available in “not-so-attractive markets” prevent people from getting all the information they need online.
And surely, VPN is one of the best options, except when the internet is down. The VPN service also goes down in these cases, but when it’s restored, it continues browsing without a VPN. So, you have less than a second to log in to your VPN tool. But do you know that authorities or service providers can spot some unwanted connections in a shorter period?
That’s why the kill switch monitors the VPN performance, so when the internet is down, your device is automatically disconnected. This prevents any unencrypted traffic from being sent over the internet, which could potentially expose your IP address and other sensitive information.
What Do You Get from the VPN Kill Switch Option?
Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but a kill switch can greatly improve your overall online experience. No matter where you are and why you’re using a VPN at the first place, the VPN kill switch can help you in quite a few specific situations, including:
Privacy Protection
Some geo areas are highly monitored, including the internet access and content people consume. Local authorities have a full right to track what everyone is doing and act as the law requires when someone accesses a banned service. VPN, as you know, can protect your privacy all the time.
A kill switch ensures you’re protected all the time, even when the internet speed is not enough for the VPN to work properly. That way, your private information is secured.
Data Security
Many people face unfair local laws, and their data is exposed to the governments and authorities. Surely, that also affects privacy in many bad ways. VPN encrypts the transferred data, making it difficult to track.
By using a VPN with a kill switch option, you can easily protect your data – preventing any kind of virtual “eavesdropping.”
Unregistered Access
In specific locations, people have limited access to popular services. When someone tries to access it, the system blocks them and limits the internet connection.
Still, a kill switch will protect you from these situations by keeping you connected to the chosen server and disconnecting you in case of disruption.
P2P File Sharing
In many countries worldwide, P2P file sharing is completely banned because of copyright issues and illegal file distribution. But sometimes, you need the very same concept to share certain files with a group of people.
In that case, the VPN kill switch protects you from disconnecting from your VPN while sharing files.
How to Enable VPN Kill Switch
The first step is to use a VPN client that has this option. Don’t be afraid to invest in a quality one, as a kill switch is a vital option that offers ongoing protection.
Check and compare different providers until you find the one that offers the features you need. Always check if your VPN client of choice has a kill switch option before purchasing or downloading it.
To enable it, open the settings and find the kill switch option. Many VPNs have it automatically enabled, but we highly suggest checking on it before using the VPN client for private browsing.
That way, you ensure your experience is smooth and reliable, with no risk of limitations and disruptions.
Still, you must be careful with a few things. VPNs may slow down your connection, as it requires plenty of resources to work properly. That may additionally make the whole experience slower (but much safer). Also, choose a client with more geo coverage, as some services may still be banned in the available locations.
And finally, use the VPN client that you can easily install and use because you don’t have too much time to waste on setting it up and waiting forever to connect.
Final Thoughts
Safe and unrestricted use of the Internet is the right of every person. Everyone should be able to use the services they want and need. But on the other hand, laws are laws and should be obeyed until change happens. Indeed, in many places around the world, there is unfair access to information as a result of various types of propaganda or limiting access to accurate and reliable information. In these cases, a VPN is the first solution that people can think about.
On the other hand, some online services are not available in markets that are not profitable for them, thus hindering the right to access information. Of course, a VPN, together with the kill switch option, may be a good but still temporary solution. The permanent solution lies in the fight for uninterrupted information so that these people do not have to use various apps and clients to get information or use a certain service that is not available to them for inexplicable reasons.