Are you concerned about your privacy online? If not, you should be. Hackers are better than ever before and if you don’t put measures in place to deter them, you could be their next target.
VPNs are just one of many tools that can help to keep you safe online and keep your browsing habits away from prying eyes.
If you’ve never heard of a VPN, don’t worry. This article will explain exactly what they are, how you can benefit from them, and the top VPNs that are currently available.
What Is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Usually, when you browse online, your computer connects to a public network. This means, when you connect to the internet through your router, you connect to a network that accesses and stores a lot of your personal information.
This includes information about your location, device, IP address, online activities and even identity if you know where to look. When you browse on public networks, you essentially make this personal information available to hackers.
A VPN allows you to hide this information, browse anonymously, and not give away details of where you are, who you are, or what you’re looking at. It does this by connecting to remote servers that allow you to set your location and IP address to one of your choosing.
The VPN encrypts the data about the websites that you visit and personal data, and keeps these hidden from any threats.
Why Use a VPN?
If you want to be sure that you are completely anonymous online, then a VPN is what you need. You have a right to your privacy and to protect your personal data.
A VPN allows you to stay secure and safe online. A VPN is also an excellent tool for accessing geo-restricted content (content only available to certain countries or locations).
The Top 5 Best VPNs
1. ExpressVPN
Express VPN is one of the fastest VPNs available. You’ll get access to around 3,000 servers over 160 different locations. This means it’s also ideal for unlocking location-specific content on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Many VPNs can slow down your connection, this isn’t the case with ExpressVPN. This is likely due to the unique Lightway protocol it uses, which keeps you safe whilst also increasing your connection speed.
The only downside to this VPN is it allows fewer simultaneous connections than others, which isn’t an issue for the average user.
2. Nord VPN
Nord VPN is available on Mac, Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android. It has over 5,000 servers in over 80 locations and is perfect for more home or office users. It has a special “double VPN” feature that allows you to encrypt your traffic twice (through two different servers), making it very secure.
It recently introduced new protocols that made it even faster and more reliable. The downside is that it isn’t as user-friendly as other VPNs.
3. Surfshark
Unlike others, Surfshark has no maximum device limit; this makes it a perfect choice for businesses. It’s also more cost-effective than its competitors and more user-friendly, making it great for anyone that isn’t very tech-savvy.
The downside of Surfshark is that it isn’t as fast as other options, but they offer a money-back guarantee.
4. Hotspot ShieldÂ
Hotspot Shield is a fairly fast VPN, with download speeds of approximately 365MB. This makes it an excellent choice for any gamers or streamers looking for a reliable VPN. It’s also very effective at unlocking apps and streaming sites with geo-restrictions.
Although this VPN is available on all major operating systems, the iPhone app isn’t as good as its competitors.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a very popular VPN, this is likely because of how well it works with Windows devices. It also has a selection of useful add-ons and performs well overall.
If unlocking content is what you’re looking for, you may have issues with CyberGhost. It hasn’t yet mastered getting past geo-restrictions on several popular streaming platforms.
If you’re looking for more advice with VPNs or online security, get in touch. We offer expert IT services that will take your business to the next level.
