Got a new laptop for college? Here's why you need a VPN

If you're heading to campus this fall, you're probably also bringing every student's study buddy of choice: a laptop. But if you want to make the most of your machine, you should pair it with one of the best VPNs. 

By using a VPN, you can keep yourself and your data protected online while also accessing content on streaming platforms from across the globe.

Read on to learn all the ways a VPN is a great companion for your laptop at college, whether this is during school or in your free time.

Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
If you're a student, chances are you're not exactly flush with cash. Surfshark proves that high quality does not need to equal high cost, with excellent streaming support, decent speeds and even unlimited simultaneous connections so you can share a single subscription with as many people as you want.

Its Starter plan costs $1.99 per month ($53 plus tax up front for 27 months of service), and includes the VPN, as well as Alternative ID, and a cookie, pop-up, and ad blocker. There's even a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it, out risk-free.

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When working hard

As a student, the likelihood is that you'll be using your laptop for on-the-go studying. This means taking it into coffee shops and the like, which also means using their free Wi-Fi.

Free Wi-Fi can be convenient, but it can also carry some risks you may not have considered, as public Wi-Fi networks are one of the most common targets for hackers and scammers. Whether it's setting up fake networks to steal people's information or dangerous man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, cybercriminals always have one eye on free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Luckily, protecting yourself against these attacks is as easy as using one of the best VPN services. This is because a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your online traffic to pass through, keeping it from any prying eyes.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is phishing attacks. As a student, you're likely to be inundated with emails on everything from academic newsletters to exclusive back-to-school deals. However, hidden among these may be phishing scams created solely to steal your personal or sensitive data, or even to infect your laptop with malware.

Thankfully, a VPN will have you covered in this area, too. Many of the most secure VPNs offer protection against malicious downloads and other malware. For example, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro deals with these dangers automatically, keeping you safe without you even having to think about it. 

When playing hard

While it is definitely a handy tool for keeping you safe while studying, a VPN can also be a massive help in making the most of your free time at college. 

For example, if you want to access sports games from your home state or watch a movie that isn't available in your region but is available elsewhere, a VPN can help with this.

By using one of the best streaming VPNs, you can simply connect to a server in a different location, boot up the streaming service of your choice and enjoy geo-restricted content, no problem.

If you're more of a gamer, it might surprise you to know that one of the best gaming VPNs can reduce latency, protect you from DDoS attacks, and even potentially give you easier lobbies in titles like Warzone.