Most people probably aren't familiar with a VPN, nor know what it actually does. Yes, a VPN allows you to stream Netflix from different countries. It's also a privacy and security tool that encrypts users' web traffic and masks their IP addresses. This means that whether you're trying to watch YouTube abroad or looking for some extra security when in Starbucks, a VPN can be your best friend for secure, anonymous browsing.

However, finding a reliable VPN can be a difficult task with so many out there. Here are some of our favorites to consider if you're planning to travel, or even do some holiday shopping while enjoying your favorite coffee blend.

PureVPN

PureVPN

PureVPN has more than 750 servers in 140 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada and Denmark. PureVPN supports multiple protocols in its software such as the Port-Forwarding add-on, which helps you access your device or a service from anywhere in the world securely. Additional features include DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection and its Internet kill switch. Pure VPNs subscription plans are as follows: $2.99 a month for a 12-month plan, $3.29 a month for a 24-month plan and $10.95 a month.

These VPNs aren't necessarily required for you to be protected. But if you use a lot of public Wi-Fi or if you're abroad, they might be good for you to keep in your back pocket.