A Guide to Use VPN to Land More Remote Work in Kenya

as Kenyans, we know finding jobs is really hard.

We've all heard people say "finya laptop utoe dollar." But how exactly?

Google shows many websites for finding online work. Sadly, most young Kenyans don't get picked for these jobs.

Let's talk about how you can use a VPN to get more remote jobs in Kenya. This might help your job applications easier.

Related: Is the hype of Kufinya computer real? Miss Kahiro investigates.

VPN stands for Virtual Private network. VPN allows you to hide your real location and online activity by routing your internet connection through a server in another location. VPN pia itakusaidia kupata access ya content ama platforms that might be blocked based na location yako.

Tunajua kupata remote jobs can be daunting. Kenyans can not access many jobs. Many platforms have a limitation to geographical areas for the applicants.

You might have come across some clients stating that they want people e.g. natives for certain jobs. Probably, ni jobs you are capable of doing. This is where VPN can be your gamechanger.

Looking for more legit ways to make money online in Kenya? Check out this guide by the MESH team.

•Bypassing Location Block: Some people cannot hire Kenyans roho safi. Often, it's out of bias or limited payment methods. If your location reads UK or USA , you increase your chances of getting the job. Kumbuka kuseti location accordingly.

•Avoiding Payment Issues: Ever signed up kwa platform then ukakula block sababu wewe ni Mkenya? Example ni remotasks🫣. Some VPNs help you register to these platforms bila worry. Another example is TaskRabbit that is available in selected cities in the USA ,Canada and U.K. They limit you because they use local payment systems that are only available majuu.

•Protecting Your Data: After hii kujituma yote, you do not want to risk exposing yourself to cyber threats. Huezi taka information ya clients wako ikue exposed. You also would not want to lose your money to hackers. VPN inakupea an extra layer protection more so ukitumia public Wi-Fi.

Every VPN is not the same. Kuna VPNs unaeza tumia zikurambe😂. Some VPNs have slower speeds than others. Zingine ni cheaper than others pia(if you choose to pay for premium). Finally, some VPNs are more secure than others.

Free VPNs can be a place to start but there are things you have to know

•Free VPNs have a limited bandwidth.

•They have low speeds.

•They can sell your data.

To avoid inconvenience and to keep your data safe, you can choose to use the paid version.

But first, what should you consider?

•Privacy and Security: Tafuta VPN yenye inakupea a strong encyption. This makes sure your data is protected. Another thing to look at is a VPN that does not store your activity and one with a killer switch. A VPN with a killer switch prevents data leaks by cutting off your internet if the VPN connection drops.

•Server Locations: The more locations a VPN has, the better chances of you appearing in different countries. Ensure VPN unachagua iko na countries that you want to get your remote jobs from.

•Speed and Bandwidth: VPN can slow down your internet because of encryption. Try using the trial period to know which provider could give you a faster service and stable servers. Tafuta yenye iko na speed kuhandle video calls, uploading files or any other tasks you might want to handle.

•Compatibility: Ensure your VPN iko compatible with all your devices. This is important because you can have simultaneous connections that makes it safe to use across your devices bila kulipa more.

•User-Friendly Interface: Hatuwezi struggle na taxes na pia tukuje kustruggle na user interface priss!!! Tafuta VPN that has an easy to use interface.

•Customer Support: Find a VPN with reliable customer service. You can go to their google and see ratings. Soma comments and see if some people have addressed the issue.

•Bypassing Restrictions: Ensure your VPN can bypass geo-blocking on websites you need for work e.g. Upwork, Fiverr, Rev.com etc. If you want to access jobs that are restricted to a certain region, test kwanza before you commit.

Some of the VPNs to use include:

•ExpressVPN: Known for speed,reliability and security features. Its also good for bypassing geo-restrictions. Most remote workers prefer this.

•NordVPN: Has many servers worldwide, has good security features and it has a strong privacy policy.

•ProtonVPN: Proton is slower than most of the VPNs. It however has good privacy and security.

•PureVPN: It is one of the fastest VPNs but it does not offer a free version. They however have a 30 day refund policy if you have an issue with using it.

You can do your due diligence and find the one that suits you best.

VPN most hukuanga na free trial. You can not access all the benefits za paid versions but they do a good job and can be dependable.

To get a free trial, you need to key in an email then give details wanadai. Kusema tu ukweli, if you need to keep using the trials, huezi create emails kama kumi daily. Inachosha!

You can use Temp Mail to generate as many emails as you wish. Temp Mail is an online tool for generating disposable emails.

1. Open it on one tab, then your preferred VPN in the other.

2. Check the email generated copy and paste it on the VPN’s signup tab when creating a new account and choose your password.

3. A confirmation link will be sent on the mail generator when you scroll down to the message section.

4. Open it and click the confirmation link, a new VPN tab will open allowing you to access the trial VPN services.

5. If you have exhausted your days for the free trial, go back and refresh to get another mail and repeat the signup process.

These steps will help you in creating more free trial accounts. You can decide to pay for a VPN and use a paid version.

Credit /Debit Cards: Most VPN services accept international credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Kama hauna card ya bank, you can use Mpesa Global Pay as your card. If you have a Kenyan bank account, ensure your card is enabled for international transactions.

PayPal: Many VPN providers hukubali PayPal kama payment method. You can link your PayPal account to your credit or debit card, or load funds directly into PayPal.Make sure your PayPal account is verified and can send payments internationally.

M-Pesa via PayPal: You can use M-Pesa to pay for your VPN by linking it to your PayPal account through the M-Pesa PayPal service. Transfer funds from your M-Pesa account to PayPal, then use PayPal to pay for the VPN. Ensure you have enough funds in M-Pesa to cover the transaction.

Cryptocurrency: Some VPN providers accept payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. You can buy cryptocurrency using M-Pesa on platforms like Binance or LocalBitcoins, then pay for the VPN.Cryptocurrency payments offer extra privacy, but ensure you're comfortable with the process before proceeding.

Google Pay/Apple Pay: Kama unatumia smartphone, some VPN providers hukubali payments through Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Direct Bank Transfer: Though less common, some VPNs may allow direct bank transfers. This will require international payment capabilities with your Kenyan bank.Check with the VPN provider if they offer this option and consult your bank on how to initiate an international transfer.

Choose a payment method that offers security and convenience.

These are five most common sites for remote work. Having a Kenyan profile might deny you the privilege of accessing higher paid gigs.

Looking to land your first client for remote work? Check out this article with tips from the MESH team.

The common job sites include:

Upwork hukubali Kenyans for remote work but some job listings ziko biased. They could specify wanataka people from western countries due to perceived quality.

Setting your location to the US and European countries increases your chances of being hired, particularly for higher paying jobs.

Like Upwork, some clients prefer freelancers from certain regions. Setting your location to the USA and Europe attracts more clients.

99designs often look for designers from regions known for higher paying rates. A European IPaddress will give you more credibility to certain clients.

Known for transcription tasks, rev.com usually gives more gigs to freelancers in the USA and European countries. Create an account using the U.S or U.K. server to increase access to higher paying tasks.

This survey and research participation platform prioritizes freelancers in the U.S. and European countries. Take advantage of the VPN tool to access more higher paying jobs.

Generally, kwa each website you might want to apply for jobs, the same pattern applies.

•Be Inconspicuous: If you are a little careless, platforms zingine zinaeza kuwai then they block your account. The key is not to overdo it. Use reputable VPNs and please avoid jumping between locations too much.

•Do not Compromise on Speed: As a remote worker, you need speed and stable internet speed for your work. If your VPN is slow, switch servers ama chagua another provider.

•Test Your IP: Tafadhali check IP address yako before you log in kwa website yoyote. Not checking your IP inaeza kua swara😰. The easiest way ya kucheck IP ni kuenda kwa google and just ask what your IP address is. Itakushow mahali inadhani uko.

•Have a Backup: Kuna times VPN hukua chini. An example ni ile time kulikua na maandamano ya gen z. Sometime zihuhappen. Usipanick! Keep a local connection handy just in case utake kuSwitch off VPN kuTroubleshoot.

Ukitumia VPN for remote jobs, prioritize choosing one with a faster speed, secure services that elevate your job performance. This will also help you in avoiding losing your remorse job accounts.

Kama mavijana, sisi wote tunataka future fiti na dream ni kutoka block. Unemployment is not doing us any good either.

Inabaki tujitume in all the right ways because DCI didn't come to play🤣😂. In a very competitive global market, we have to think outside the box. Piga balance ya using VPN and upgrading your skills.

Landing jobs inafwata na skill zako. Whenever you get hired, please deliver gold. That will make your clients to be repeat clients and they wouldn't even notice eti you are from the regions they canceled.

Using a VPN smartly can help you level the playing field, opening doors to more opportunities, higher-paying gigs, and a broader network, but always proceed with caution and respect platform rules.Ku-get more of this na many more, usisahau ku-subscribe to the Best of MESH monthly newsletter.