Many VPN services need to be installed on your computer to be effective. This approach is fine for most people, but there are times where it can be problematic and installing software on the computer is simply not feasible. On these occasions, using a web based VPN is much more beneficial and it gets you around the limitations of software based VPNs.

There are many reasons why people choose to use a VPN. One of these is security online, because a VPN encrypts the information that you transfer while you are online. This means that it becomes very difficult for anyone to intercept private information that you are sharing while you are using the internet, and it lets you do things like use a credit card online without having to worry that someone will steal the card number.

Protecting your privacy and security is something that can be achieved on a VPN that is on the internet or installed on your computer. However, there are many times where you cannot install things on your computer. For example, if you are using a shared computer you may not want other people to know that you are using a VPN, or you may not have the permission that you need to install files.

If you are using the internet at a business, internet café or school, the owner of the network may place a filter on the websites that you can access. Commonly, business owners will restrict websites that are not related to work, particularly those that are related to social networking. Social networking sites are often believed to decrease productivity, so they are frequently blocked.

In some parts of the world internet censorship is prevalent on both public and private computers throughout the country due to restrictions applied by the internet service provider. The sites that are restricted cover a range of different types, including those that cover controversial topics, those who express certain religious sentiments or ones that are critical of the government.

In all of these situations, you do not have the ability to install software one the computer that you are using. Yet, a VPN is essential for improving your security and for allowing you to bypass filters and censorship. A web based VPN is very effective for this, it offers you most of the same of the advantages that a software-based VPN would, but can be used on a computer that is not your own.