Securing your online footprint has become increasingly important in our digital age. With the rise of technology, we have become accustomed to giving up bits of data for convenience, and trusting our internet service providers (ISPs) has become essential for everyday life. However, blindly accepting this can leave us vulnerable to privacy breaches and cyber attacks. Fortunately, there are ways to regain some anonymity and security while browsing online, and one of the most effective methods is by using a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activities. It creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, ensuring that your data is protected from prying eyes. However, with so many VPN services available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best suited for your specific online needs. To help you make an informed decision, we tested nine popular VPNs and narrowed down our top picks.
One of the VPNs that stood out during our testing was ProtonVPN. It impressed us with its overall security, usability, and privacy features. ProtonVPN is part of the Proton Technologies suite of services, which also includes secure email, calendar, and drive services. The VPN’s no-logs policy has passed audits, and the company has demonstrated a commitment to user privacy by refusing to comply with law enforcement requests. Being based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is not obligated to log user data, making it a secure VPN option.
What sets ProtonVPN apart is that it is based on an open-source framework, meaning that its code is publicly available for scrutiny. This allows independent security experts to review and verify its security measures. The company also has an official vulnerability disclosure program and clear definitions on how it handles personal information. While ProtonVPN offers a free version, it has limited features compared to its paid plans. For a relatively affordable price, users can access a wide range of VPN server locations in more than 65 countries on up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Another VPN that caught our attention was Windscribe. We selected it as the best free VPN due to its high security and wide range of server locations compared to other free VPNs. By signing up for Windscribe’s free plan with your email, you can access 10GB of data per month, unlimited connections, and servers in more than 10 countries. Windscribe doesn’t have a recent independent security audit, but it does publish a transparency report showing that it has complied with zero data requests. In terms of usability, Windscribe is easy to set up and offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Its paid plans provide unlimited data, access to all servers, and an ad/tracker/malware blocker.
ExpressVPN stood out as the best VPN service for travel, gaming, and streaming. It offers fast connections and access to a wide range of locations, making it ideal for users who need reliable and high-speed connections. ExpressVPN also includes an in-house password manager called ExpressVPN Keys, which allows users to manage and autofill logins across sites. In our speed tests, ExpressVPN performed exceptionally well, with faster upload and download speeds than using no VPN at all. It has a large network of servers in 160 cities, making it one of the most globally accessible VPNs. ExpressVPN also conducts regular security audits and offers a kill switch feature called Network Lock to protect your data even if you lose connection to the VPN.
CyberGhost is another VPN that stood out for its cross-platform accessibility. It offers simultaneous connectivity on up to seven devices and supports various types of gadgets, including routers, computers, and smart TVs. CyberGhost provides detailed instructions on how to set up cross-platform connections, making it user-friendly for those who need to connect to multiple devices. The VPN recently expanded its network of servers to 100 countries, offering users a wide range of options for secure and private browsing. CyberGhost completed an independent security audit, runs a vulnerability disclosure program, and provides access to a transparency report.
Surfshark is unique among VPN services in that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections and access to a larger number of servers. This means you can connect your entire household to the VPN using a single subscription. Surfshark’s pricing is relatively affordable, making it a cost-effective option for users who need to secure multiple devices. The VPN recently conducted its first independent audit, further demonstrating its commitment to security and privacy. Surfshark offers a variety of protocols to connect with, although we did experience some connection issues with its WireGuard protocol. However, it passed all our tests and ultimately provided reliable performance.
It’s important to understand that VPNs are not a one-size-fits-all security solution. While they can help protect your online privacy, they do not protect against all threats, such as phishing attacks. VPNs also cannot fully anonymize your online activities, as the VPN provider still has access to your data. Therefore, it’s essential to follow other cybersecurity measures, such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and being cautious of the information you share online.
Before choosing a VPN, consider your specific needs and use cases. If you frequently use public WiFi networks or want to access geographically restricted content, a VPN can be beneficial. However, if you work in professions that require advanced security, alternatives like the Tor browser may be worth exploring. Tor is a free and open-source browser that focuses on anonymity and privacy.
When testing VPNs, we considered factors such as price, usage limits, internet speed impact, user-friendliness, and additional features like split tunneling and double VPN. We conducted tests across various platforms, including iOS, Android, and Mac devices, to evaluate the VPNs’ performance across different operating systems. We used geoblocking, streaming, and gaming tests to assess each VPN’s capabilities and evaluate claims about simultaneous device use.
While the VPNs mentioned in this article are our top picks based on our testing, there are other VPN services available that may suit your needs. These include NordVPN, TunnelBear, Bitdefender VPN, and Atlas VPN. However, these VPNs either lacked certain features, had limited availability across platforms, or failed essential security tests.
In conclusion, securing your online footprint is crucial in today’s digital landscape. VPNs offer a valuable layer of protection by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic. Our top picks, including ProtonVPN, Windscribe, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark, provide reliable security, user-friendliness, and a wide range of server locations to meet your online needs. However, it’s important to note that VPNs are not a foolproof solution and should be used in conjunction with other cybersecurity measures.
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