VPN use cases: Tinder tricks, cheaper trips, avoiding risks, and more
We have already written a similar article, but times are changing as well as use cases, so we decided to update the information.
What is so special about VPN, you might ask? After all, isn't all it does simply masking your location? Sure, it's good to get access to something that's not available in your country, to hide something from those who, for whatever reason, are greedy for your personal information. But this "digital immigration" or "IP tourism" can be useful in unexpected (or at least not often thought of) ways.
A VPN is not only good for spoofing your geolocation for websites and apps that happen to dislike the real one. It also makes your connection secure and encrypted, protecting sensitive private data from misuse, so it's not just your location you're "hiding." In fact, if you're connecting to a public Wi-Fi network in a coffee shop or on the subway, you might as well hide everything you can.
We have handpicked some of the most important use cases where you definitely need a VPN. Let's take a look.
How VPN makes your life better: a few cases out of so many
1. Shopping abroad
It's exciting to shop abroad and discover unique products that aren't available at home. Fortunately, you don't have to travel every time you want something special from another country. With online shopping, you can access stores around the world and have your purchases shipped right to your door.
But shopping across borders isn't always smooth. Many websites restrict access to products based on your location, certain payment methods may not be accepted, and some stores only ship locally. These restrictions can make international shopping frustrating.
By using a VPN and changing your virtual location to the country of the store, you can overcome many of these challenges. A VPN allows you to access georestricted websites, unlock local deals, and enjoy a smoother shopping experience. While it won't solve shipping or payment restrictions, it can make global shopping much more accessible and enjoyable.
2. Cheap airline tickets and hotels
Smart algorithms do a lot of things these days, like personalize prices for goods and services. An Uber ride gets more expensive if your battery is low, or it's starting to rain, or it's Friday night, or you have the latest iPhone. You have your own price, just for you! Isn't it cool?
Not quite. There is always a chance that robots will mistake you for Rockefeller's nephew (or you are Rockefeller's nephew, but that is no reason to throw money away).
Airlines and booking agents use your personal information to adjust prices: they want to show you a ticket cost that's as high as you can possibly agree to without leaving their website to look for a better deal. Change your location from a fancy neighborhood in Frisco to, say, the Canadian outback and see what happens.
Maybe nothing. In that case, try some other locations — VPN services allow you to choose a server in different countries around the world (and it might also help to use an alternative browser, or clear the cookies in the one you are using, and search in private or incognito mode). Search for the same flight day and destination on the same website — a few experiments will show you that the prices are indeed different.
A VPN not only masks your IP, it also protects other types of personal information from being harvested by companies for price personalization.
You may also encounter price personalization when booking a hotel or renting a car. The advice is the same: change location, delete cookies, switch browsers, open a tab in incognito or private mode, experiment, finally, google it: people share all sorts of tips and tricks.
3. Escape from corporate slavery
Offices, schools, campuses, universities, and all kinds of institutions set up their own networks for people who need to use them. Sometimes they restrict almost everything except Wikipedia or work-related resources. If you know you tend to procrastinate and waste your productive hours on Facebook, just get along and be grateful to the network administrator. But if you need to get some work done and a website you need is blocked, help yourself to a VPN.
There is actually another good reason for strict network restrictions: security. Corporate data leaks are a global problem, but public organizations suffer too. Schools, oh well, even kindergartens are subject to cyber threats. Use VPN to secure your connection and help the network owners be safe: the data is encrypted.
4. Digital remigration
It's when your body is abroad, but your soul needs to be at home. Superfluous romanticism aside, you may want to access your favorite website or app while on a vacation or business trip abroad, but it would be impossible without a VPN.
5. Tinder
There are at least three ways VPN can help enrich your Tinder experience and solve possible problems.
Change the location. Changing your location allows you to meet people from other countries without overpaying. By default, you'll be shown possible matches in your area. You can choose from a wide range, but you'll virtually stay in your city or town (with suburbs). If you are in California but want to chat with someone in Paris, you can buy Tinder's paid subscription. But it's more expensive than most VPNs, and it only works for Tinder, while VPN... see above.
Unfortunately, VPN can only help you if you use Tinder through its website, tinder.com, and have disabled location tracking in your browser settings. Tinder relies on GPS data for precise location tracking rather than on just your IP address. When it prompts you to 'turn on device location for a better experience,' it's referring to GPS data, so simply changing your IP with a VPN won't be enough. There are also some possibilities for mobile applications... But do not count on a VPN in this case.
Escape the place where you are. VPN is not only for pretending to be somewhere else, but also for pretending not to be where you are. Tinder might be blocked in your country, your office, your school. Use a VPN to get around the restrictions. Facebook may also be blocked in some countries or networks. Facebook is not required to use Tinder, but if you sign in with your Facebook account, it should be accessible.
Tinder on its side can block you as a user. Not just because you were naughty and did bad things to other users. For example, some people get banned because they reset their account too often. Use a VPN to try to create another account, though there's no guarantee you'll succeed: Tinder uses other methods besides IP detection to catch those who try to sneak back in.
6. Blocked websites
Why won't they let me in? It's always fascinating — what's behind the closed door. Some barriers serve legitimate purposes, such as protecting sensitive information or enforcing legal boundaries, many are fueled by censorship, geopolitical tensions, or commercial interests that limit access to a free and open web. If you find a website inaccessible, VPN can serve as a master key and make the web wider and more worldly for you.
7. Security
Yeah, so boring. Protect your data, keep your identity private, don't expose yourself and your family to scammers and marketing manipulation, don’t expose your company's data to intruders, yadda yadda. Every VPN provider talks about how an encrypted connection through a private network enhances the security of your digital existence — because it simply does.
8. Emerging threats
Cybersecurity threats have evolved dramatically in recent years, making VPN use more critical than ever. Increased surveillance and data breaches are among the top concerns. Governments and corporations around the world have increased digital surveillance, often collecting personal information without explicit consent. For example, several countries have introduced laws requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to retain browsing history, creating potential privacy risks.
In addition, data breaches are becoming more frequent and severe. In 2024, notable zero-day vulnerabilities in VPN protocols highlighted the risks of unpatched systems being exploited by cybercriminals. As detailed in the OpenVPN and Pureversity blogs, attackers can exploit even small security gaps to access sensitive personal or corporate data. A VPN mitigates these risks by encrypting Internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers to intercept or decipher it. For individuals and organizations alike, investing in a secure VPN service has become a cornerstone of maintaining privacy and protecting valuable data.
9. Remote work and collaboration
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a massive shift to remote work, a trend that continues to shape the global workforce. With sensitive corporate information being transmitted over public or home networks, secure communications have become a top priority. VPNs play a key role in creating secure remote working environments by encrypting connections between employees and corporate servers.
For example, remote workers can securely access corporate intranets, transfer confidential files, and collaborate on shared platforms without exposing themselves to cyber risks. As reported in SOCRadar's analysis of VPN vulnerabilities, attackers often target improperly configured VPNs to breach corporate systems. Choosing a robust VPN service ensures that businesses can prevent these threats and continue to operate seamlessly in a hybrid or fully remote setup.
10. Streaming services
VPNs have become indispensable tools for entertainment lovers. Popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ impose geo-restrictions on certain shows and movies, limiting access based on the user's location. A VPN allows users to bypass these restrictions by masking their true IP address and routing their connection through a server in another country.
For example, a user in the United States could access Netflix's UK library to watch the hit British series Doctor Who, while someone in Europe could unlock US-only classics like Parks and Recreation on Hulu. Additionally, Disney+ users in some regions have reported accessing new releases ahead of their local timelines by connecting to servers in countries where the content launches first.
In addition to unlocking new content, VPNs also protect users from ISP throttling, which can sometimes limit streaming speeds based on bandwidth usage. Whether it's binge-watching international dramas or exploring hard-to-find documentaries, a VPN can greatly enhance the streaming experience.
AdGuard VPN
Nonchalance can cost a lot of money and stress, but we know how to avoid it. AdGuard VPN is made with your well-being in mind. Actually, AdGuard VPN does more than just let you change your location and encrypt the traffic. It offers two operating modes, two separate exclusion lists for each mode, Kill Switch that blocks Internet access if the VPN connection is lost, and DNS servers that protect against malware and block intrusive ads.
Reasons to choose AdGuard VPN
Strong AES-256 encryption: AdGuard VPN's proprietary protocol provides a high level of privacy and complete anonymity.
No-logging policy: AdGuard VPN does not collect or store user activity data.
DNS servers: Users can increase security and better manage traffic by choosing a DNS server that blocks ads and protects against malware.
Customizable exclusion lists for websites and apps: This feature allows you to configure the traffic of which apps and websites will go through the VPN and which won't.
Kill Switch: If the VPN connection fails, the Kill Switch feature disables the Internet connection.
QUIC support: QUIC is a cutting-edge protocol that improves the connection quality on mobile devices or when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Support for multiple devices: Up to 10 devices can be connected to AdGuard VPN simultaneously.
