Choosing the Right VPN: A Buyer’s Guide for Privacy
Nowadays, the internet has a lot to offer. And when I say a lot, I mean everything you are looking for and everything you are not even thinking of. With this development come great opportunities and unexpected greater threats. The need for online privacy and being safe when navigating the heights of the internet has become an acute problem and an actual one.
This is why everybody should back up a little to see and be aware of what they are exposed to. And what information they expose about themselves on the boundless web. As a result, more and more individuals and businesses turn to a VPN service to keep their online presence free from cyber threats and attacks. In the following, we will tell you what VPN software is, its benefits, and some recommendations for the best VPN apps to use.
What is a VPN?
The acronym VPN stands for virtual private network, and its main purpose is to keep you protected when navigating over the internet. It provides users with secure and risk-free internet connectivity. To be clearer, think about an unsecured network as an open door that lets your activity information and personal data fly free to the open sea. Well, a VPN service prevents this from happening, being able to stop any cyber menace to your device.
A VPN software comprises three major components: the tunnel, the encryption, and the server. Each of them has a well-thought-out and specific course of action that, in the end, manages to protect your network from any unwanted access from the outside.
To be more specific, the role of a virtual private network tunnel is to link up your device with an external network. This means that your traffic data is converted into packages of information. And that is where the encryption springs into action. Encryption wraps the information packs in an invisibility cloak to prevent external sources from deciphering your activity. Data is encrypted and turned into secret packages. Thus, the traffic passing through the tunnel is hidden and secured.
Finally, the encrypted information in the tunnel has to reach a destination. Without a VPN service, the end of the line for the packages would have been to your internet provider. So, not at all very secure and private. But a VPN server promises to respect your online privacy. How? By not storing the operations you make over the internet.
Besides hiding your activity, your IP address will remain unknown and unsusceptible to assuming the location you are at. It is as if the VPN service gives you a new identity with which you can travel on the internet without anyone knowing who you are and where you come from. And this is another great aspect we will talk about in the next section.
How can you use a VPN service?
As I have announced above, we will talk about what is in for you when using a VPN service. It is not breaking news anymore that the internet is changing how we perceive the world. It endowed us with the power of defeating space and time borders. And this is the case for a VPN app all the more.
This software makes it possible for your IP address to remain undetectable. At the same time, it allows you to change the geolocation virtually through an IP address, accessing web resources from all over the world. More precisely, it is a well-known fact that certain apps and web pages are not available everywhere globally. It is a matter of the region you are in. Take Netflix example, which has different content depending on what part of the world you live in. If you are from Europe, you will not see the same movies and TV shows as someone who lives in the United States.
The same goes for accessing apps restricted or banned in certain regions, especially social media platforms. To avoid this kind of situation, you can rely on a VPN app that can allow access and the possibility to take part in a wide range of online experiences. Although this requires a little footnote. Consider checking the legislation to learn if your country allows the use of VPN services before reaching for one.
VPN for Businesses
In addition, even businesses can benefit from using this piece of software. Companies operate daily with big amounts of vital and sensitive information. The last thing a company wishes to happen is unauthorized access to its data. Thus, a VPN is a noteworthy solution for securing a business activity and protecting its online privacy. The VPN is beneficial for businesses because it creates a secure network only employees can connect to. Furthermore, by accessing that particular virtual private network, employees can access the company’s data and apps from any other location they are at.
We think that another aspect that is worth taking into account is the internet speeds when using a VPN service. As we said later, your internet data are converted into secured packages. This process might slow the speed of your internet connection. However, because these are difficult tasks, you can proceed with a speed test for your VPN to see how it performs within the internet connection.
Choosing the right VPN
You can find many VPN software on the market, and it might be intimidating to filter alone the specifications they have. Thus, we compiled a list of the most important specifications to help you make the right decision. Firstly, you should ask yourself why you need a VPN. Is it for your online privacy? Is it for business network protection? What kind of activities do you want to perform privately?
After clarifying this, look for those protocols that might best suit your activities supported by the VPN service. Moreover, users can use a great VPN on multiple platforms and devices. So, if you have iOS and Windows-based devices, you should search for software that supports both OSs. Second, the experience you pursue has to be unlimited, like bandwidth. So, choose a VPN app that allows you to download, stream and browse as much as you like. And, because we are always on the run, your VPN should keep up with you. Finally, the Internet speed is important, so check the VPN with a speed test.
Furthermore, the number of servers and their locations is a decision-maker too. The best-case scenario is when a VPN service has hundred or even thousands of servers across the world in important locations. This will make your switch across geolocations easier, having access to a wide variety of content.
As I mentioned earlier, searching for a VPN service might be a hassle. There are some aspects you should have in mind before choosing one. So, here are the key features to look for when choosing a VPN app:
- No-log policy
- Strong encryption
- Shared IP addresses
- High-speed servers
- Public Wi-Fi safety
- Anonymous browsing
Moreover, advanced features included in premium packs are IPv6 leak protection, Internet kill switch, DNS leak protection, and WebRTC leak protection. These features are supposed to make the software leak-proof.
Our Top Choices for VPN Software
Here are our top choices of the best VPN software to protect your internet activity. Let’s see the list and why we picked them without further ado.
The popularity of NordVPN is due to its support for a wide range of OSs as Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhones. At the same time, whether you are a freelancer, a small or large business, or simply an individual concerned about your privacy, this VPN is a perfect fit for all of the above. Unlike Netflix, NordVPN has no DNS leak reports, and the speed test says it is fast and stable. Moreover, if you’re likely to choose this VPN, we have a great NordVPN deal that you’re privacy will surely love.
Perhaps it is not surprising that Surfshark is one of our top picks. Using it, you will have a clean web experience, meaning that you will be ads, malware, and phishing-free. It also improves internet speeds saving mobile data. Supporting unlimited devices on multiple platforms, a no-logs policy, and private DNS are just some of the most interesting qualities with which Surfshark will protect your online presence.
ExpressVPN, or ‘the VPN that just works,’ allows users to unblock content restricted to specific locations and browse anonymously. It also offers advanced features like a kill switch that blocks internet traffic when the VPN connection drops. In other words, the IP address and your location won’t suffer any threats.
iProVPN has not been for a long time on the market, but what it promises to offer makes it qualified to believe that it is here to stay. With over 250 servers across more than 20 countries, this recently launched software is good at unblocking region-restricted platforms like Netflix. Also, its chat support seems to perform well, unlike other client service VPN platforms.
Some of these VPN services have a free trial, so this is an opportunity to give them a try and become familiar with them for a few days before deciding whether you should purchase the whole pack or not.
If you care about your privacy, then use a VPN
It’s undeniable that the internet has become an integral part of our lives, and security is of utmost importance. A VPN service can provide the much-needed safety net that allows individuals and businesses to navigate the web confidently. By ensuring that your online activities are shielded from prying eyes, a VPN service provides a superior web experience, not to mention peace of mind. With a VPN, you can access content anywhere worldwide without worrying about geo-restrictions. No wonder everyone opts for a VPN to stay safe and secure online.
