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You’ve probably heard that “you need a VPN” – but why?
Is it only for hackers, tech nerds and people who watch Netflix libraries from other countries?
Actually, no. A VPN like Surfshark can be a very practical everyday tool:
- to spot and avoid price discrimination,
- to get better deals on flights or car rentals,
- to stay safe on hotel / café Wi-Fi,
- and to unlock apps and websites when you travel.
In this guide, I’ll keep things zero-drama and non-technical and show you 9 ways Surfshark can make your digital life cheaper, safer and more convenient.
What Is a VPN (in human language)?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet.
When you connect to Surfshark:
- Your traffic goes through an encrypted connection.
- Websites see the IP address of the VPN server, not your real IP or location.
- Your internet provider, public Wi-Fi owner, or random snoopers can’t easily see what you’re doing online.
Think of it as:
“A private, secure lane for your data that can appear to be in another country.”
That simple trick unlocks a lot of powerful use cases.
1. Spot (and Fight) Price Discrimination
Have you ever searched for a flight, then checked again later and the price magically went up?
Online stores and booking sites can:
- show different prices depending on your location,
- track your searches with cookies,
- adjust prices based on how “desperate” you look.
With Surfshark you can:
- Clear cookies in your browser.
- Connect to a server in another country (for example, your destination or a lower-income region).
- Search for the same ticket or product again and compare prices.
Sometimes the difference is small, but sometimes it can be very noticeable, especially for:
- flights
- car rentals
- hotels
- digital services and subscriptions
Pro tip: Always compare at least 2–3 locations before paying.
2. Get Better Deals on Flights, Hotels and Car Rentals
Travel sites often adjust their prices by region. By changing your virtual location with Surfshark, you can:
- See local prices in the country you’re visiting.
- Avoid “tourist markup” that sometimes appears for foreign visitors.
- Book car rentals or hotels at conditions that are not visible from your home country.
Is it guaranteed every time? No.
But if one Surfshark connection saves you $50–$200 on a trip, the subscription basically pays for itself.
3. Unlock Websites and Apps While You Travel
You land in another country, open your phone and…
- your banking app doesn’t load,
- your favourite news site is blocked,
- social media or messaging apps are restricted on local networks.
Annoying, right?
With Surfshark you can:
- connect back to a server in your home country,
- access banking, email, and websites just like you were home,
- get around many geo-blocks and local restrictions.
For frequent travellers or digital nomads, this is a must-have.
4. Stay Safer on Public Wi-Fi (Hotels, Airports, Cafés)
Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also one of the riskiest places to log into:
- social media
- online banking
- cloud storage
On unsecured Wi-Fi, other people on the same network could try to:
- intercept your traffic,
- snoop on what you’re doing,
- or redirect you to fake websites.
With Surfshark enabled:
- your traffic is encrypted,
- your real IP is hidden,
- it becomes much harder for anyone on that network to spy on you.
It’s one of the simplest habits for digital hygiene:
“If it’s public Wi-Fi → VPN ON.”
5. Use Less Mobile Roaming Data With CleanWeb
Surfshark comes with a feature called CleanWeb – an ad, tracker and malware blocker.
Why does that matter when you travel?
- Ads and trackers download extra files you don’t actually need.
- That means more megabytes used, especially on mobile data or roaming.
- CleanWeb blocks a lot of that, so pages load faster and you spend less data.
If you travel a lot and pay for roaming, this can easily save up to 30% of your expected data usage.
6. Get More “Free” Content and Services
Some websites, trial offers and free services are:
- only available in certain countries, or
- offer different libraries depending on your region.
With Surfshark you can virtually “be” in:
- the US,
- Europe,
- Asia,
- or many other locations (depending on available servers),
… and unlock sign-ups or content that wouldn’t normally show up in your country.
Always respect each service’s terms of use, but remember:
“Your physical location doesn’t need to limit your online experience.”
7. Unlock Social Media and Messaging Apps
In some countries, or even just in schools, workplaces, and public networks, apps like:
- Telegram
- streaming platforms
are blocked or heavily restricted.
By connecting through Surfshark:
- Your traffic looks like it’s going to a VPN server, not directly to the blocked app.
- You can often bypass local blocks and keep using the tools you rely on to communicate.
Again, always respect local laws – but a VPN often restores your basic internet freedom.
8. Protect Your Privacy at Home (Not Just On the Road)
Even at home, your internet provider can:
- see which websites you visit,
- build a profile on your habits,
- or throttle certain types of traffic.
With Surfshark on:
- your traffic is encrypted,
- your ISP sees “encrypted data to a VPN server”, not each site you visit,
- you get an extra layer of privacy for everyday browsing, online shopping, and streaming.
If you care about digital minimalism or a more mindful relationship with technology, this kind of protection helps you feel less “watched” all the time.
9. Help Friends and Family With One Subscription
One of the cool things about Surfshark is that it allows unlimited simultaneous devices per account (at the time of writing).
This means you can:
- protect your phone, tablet, laptop, smart TV,
- and even help your partner or a family member stay safer online.
One subscription → an entire household covered.
How to Choose a VPN (If You’re New)
If your audience (or you!) is new to VPNs, here’s a simple checklist:
- No-logs policy – the provider shouldn’t keep detailed activity logs.
- Strong encryption – industry-standard protocols (like WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc.).
- Good server network – enough locations for your travel & price comparison needs.
- Clean, simple apps – easy to use on phone and desktop.
- Extra features – ad blocking, kill switch, split tunneling, etc.
- Reputation & transparency – clear privacy policy, audits, and real support.
Surfshark ticks these boxes and adds CleanWeb and unlimited devices, which is why I personally like it.
When a VPN Alone Is Not Enough
A quick reality check: a VPN is not a magic shield. You still need to:
- use strong, unique passwords (and a password manager),
- enable 2-factor authentication whenever possible,
- keep your devices updated,
- be cautious with links and downloads.
Think of Surfshark as one important layer in your digital safety toolkit – especially for travel, money-saving and privacy.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Internet Feel Fair Again
We live in a world where:
- prices, content and access change depending on where you are,
- public Wi-Fi is everywhere and not always safe,
- and tracking has become the default.
A VPN like Surfshark gives you back some control and flexibility:
- You can compare prices fairly.
- You can keep your logins safer on the road.
- You can unlock the apps and sites you rely on.
If you want to test it in your own life, you can check Surfshark’s current offers here:
Use it for a month, try a few of the tips above (flights, Wi-Fi, streaming, roaming) and see how much difference it makes for your wallet and your peace of mind.
