Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Slick VPN to Access The Internet Abroad
As I whackpacked my way through the Stan countries and India the last 4-5 months, there were some real challenging moments as an online worker. It was infuriating, I’ll be honest. I tore my hair out and yelled at people and I cursed at my computer and the sh*t internet day on day. Yes, initially I announced on here that I wouldn’t be using a VPN while in these countries, but my webpages kept crashing. I was losing writing, patience, time, money and weight. Yes, weight! Less time to eat while I was busy pressing refresh for hours for screens to load. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! After Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, it was time to finally get a VPN and I opted for Slick VPN. SO I’m testing it out the next few months and will update on how it goes. I’m pretty excited by it and impressed so far.
Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Slick VPN to Access The Internet Abroad
Before deciding to get a VPN, as a relative internet novice despite being a professional travel blogger, I had to do some research and work out the benefits of such a network. First up, let’s be obvious:
What is a VPN????
Yes I had to ask this myself! VPN stands for ‘Virtual Private Network’, and it creates a connection between your computer and a remote server so you may obtain an anonymous IP address, i.e. where the server is. In short, hopefully it prevents screens like this, which have been all too common for me recently…
Backpacking in Tajikistan – oh bollocks!
- pressing Reload is useless!
Why Choose Slick VPN?
There are many VPN companies out there, so why choose Slick VPN? I’ve got a good reason for you – because it comes recommended by Torrent Freak, it has a good reputation and if it works for a long term digital nomad like me, it can work for you!! I’m just a few weeks into my trial period and I love it so far. This hasn’t happened once since I started using it…
No more of these screens (Ulsterman tears his hair out)
- Pressing “show saved copy” is useless!
What are the advantages of a VPN?
Obviously the security and anonymity are the key points about having a VPN, but also how about these reasons:
You can access Facebook in Tajikistan!!
You can access YouTube in China!!
You can watch Netflix anywhere you want!!
Here are just some of the cool features, I’m enjoying about Slick VPN:
Anonymity: TorrentFreak.com has twice listed SlickVPN as a “VPN Service That Takes Your Anonymity Seriously.” It’s nice to be anonymous in Wi-fi cafes!
Additional Security via SlickVPN HYDRA: With Slickj VPM, the HYDRA Multi-Hop Feature adds an extra layer of security that other providers do not offer. This extra hop over their internal network completely disconnects your traffic to the outside world from the connection you’re making to the SlickVPN gateways.
Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Slick VPN to Access The Internet Abroad
Enhanced Security: These days, it’s important not to overlook your personal, online security. There are huge risks logging onto to shared networks and sadly as a traveller, I’m almost always using shared networks. However with the security that comes with SlickVPN, I can relax more. SlickVPN provides enhanced security by establishing a private connection between your computer and their servers. This ensures that when you browse the web you’re doing so with an added layer of security to help keep hackers at bay.
Working from my hotel room in Shenzhen, China
Added Firewall Security: A VPN account from SlickVPN can also protect against direct attacks, as it hides your computer’s IP address and shows a different one instead. The false IP address is protected by advanced hardware and engineers working to ensure that any attacks on the targeted IP address are thwarted, nice!
Anonymous Web Browsing: With a SlickVPN account, you can browse the web anonymously so that nobody can see your real IP address. An IP address may be tracked when filling out an online form, purchasing something online, or by websites and search engines.
Who’s that anonymous travel blogger?
Sometimes hackers with ill intent track them. Instead of your real IP address, an anonymous IP address is displayed. Some services allow website owners or others to track where visitors to their website are from and allows them to see their IP address. SlickVPN makes your online presence anonymous.
Perfect for Backpackers: If you’ve ever tried to access the internet on your backpacking journey (for me, it’s a daily thing unless I’m hiking!), you know that certain countries put restrictions on what users can and cannot access. It’s infuriating. Facebook in Iran? No chance! Netflix in Tajikistan? Nope! Step in Slick VPN and you’ll be uploading Instagram and Facebook photos from Gorno Badakhshan!!
Backpacking in Khorog, Gorno Badakhshan bereft of internet
Wi-Fi Hotspot Security: Most people will use a Wi-Fi hotspot at some point, myself especially I’m always logging into them – airports, bus stations, cafes etc. They are common at airports, hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and other locations. But, unfortunately, a public network like this can be laden with security risks as hackers attempt to steal passwords or usernames from others who are using the network. SlickVPN hides your activity so that you can surf the web anonymously.
Overseas Calls: I haven’t used this feature yet, but phoning my family and keeping touch is something I do as often as I can on the road. With Slick VPN, when you use Skype and certain other programs, the rate you pay is determined by the location of your IP address and the person you are calling. So with SlickVPN you can vary your IP address location to get the best rate.
Skype with Mum
Living Overseas: Many governments around the world censor the Internet to some degree and those who do not travel are often unaware of this, including my IT friend Alan Scott who Tweeted me to ask why I need a VPN! Having spent 2 years in Australia, 3 years in China and Hong Kong combined and a huge number of months in countries like India, Iran, Tajikistan and Venezuela where internet sites can either be restricted, limited download and upload speeds, or completely banned. If you’ve ever tried to access PayPal in Myanmar for example – OUCH! Don’t do it!! For other VPN choices, check out the list on blokt.com.
Working in Yangshuo, China
So I’m enjoying testing out the Slick VPN and will update on my progress once I’ve crossed a few more borders with it. To get yourself a Slick VPN, simply go to this page and get started, from $48 US a year, this is really really worth it for long term travellers, believe me!:
Hi, Blair, I heard about slick VPN but did not enough concept about it. After reading your post, now I know a lot about slick VPN. I will use this VPN when I will go out for travelling. Thanks for sharing your article.
Hi Matt, yes it’s definitely the best VPM out there – keeps you online and safe in places like Afghanistan, Iran, China and Iraq. Safe travels. Jonny
You should really have a VPN in India, they are using companies to keep a close watch on their citizen and they even sell their data.. that’s what I’ve read from the report. Scary and the government are supporting this.
Hi Hero, thanks for the comment. I am happy that you enjoyed my post on VPNs. Best wishes. Jonny