You don't necessarily NEED one but...
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi. It can also help prevent malicious software from attacking your computer.
In very simple terms, a VPN connects your PC, smartphone, or tablet to another computer (called a server) somewhere on the internet, and allows you to browse the internet using that computer's internet connection. So if that server is in a different country, it will appear as if you are coming from that country, and you can potentially access things that you couldn't normally which can be helpful for our members across the pond.
