Ten VPN Services You Should Know About
Ten VPN Services You Should Know About
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are no longer just for work. VPN prevents snoops from eavesdropping on your online activity, whether that’s marketers, someone malicious, or even the government.
People just want to be able to surf the Web or access remote services without worrying about attackers and rogue hotspots. A VPN service protects them if they accidentally connect to a rogue hotspot or if someone is sniffing all the data flowing through the network. Most services also act as an anonymizer, reassigning IP addresses to hide the user’s geographic location and other identifying information. For the privacy-conscious Web user, a VPN connection gives them peace of mind, knowing that Websites can’t figure out where they are located and also that all the data going to and from their computer is encrypted.
A VPN service would allow a visitor in China to still log in to Facebook and German users would be able to watch YouTube by getting an IP address from a US-based server. The reverse is also possible, with users selecting servers in other countries in order to access sites blocked to American users. Unlike corporate VPN clients, setting up and using a VPN service is as easy as just downloading the client and installing it. Some services don’t require a username or password, making it a true click-and-go experience.
The services below are all premium versions, offering paid users a wide range of servers, extra security features, and better speeds. Some of them offer a free version, which may either display ads or cap your bandwidth usage. One thing to remember: a VPN service will let you spoof your location to make it seem like you are connecting from some other location. This is useful for accessing region-specific services. This isn’t the same as connecting to TOR (The Onion Router) which would bounce you from server to server and anonymize your location, but not necessarily set your location to where you want it to be. A VPN service is pretty much just for connecting to Websites and services. It wouldn’t be used to create a true VPN tunnel between two computers. While most VPN connections generally slow down connections, the drop is not that bad. They are still good enough for watching videos and live Webcasts.
A Word of Caution
Whatever VPN service you may consider, bear in mind that only the traffic going from your computer (or mobile device) to the VPN service provider’s servers is encrypted. When the service provider connects to the actual Website you are looking for, if that site is not using HTTPS, then the connection is unencrypted. Anyone who is sitting at that point of exit can see information being sent, and there are fairly complicated timing algorithms that can try to identify user activity. Using a VPN service doesn’t mean you can stop using common sense—you still need to think about what information you are sending online. I would feel safe using a VPN service to share sensitive healthcare records or financial information, provided the recipient Website is using HTTPS. Otherwise, I would be careful about the kind of wireless network I was on and the Website I was connecting to, before relying on the VPN connection.
If you are looking for a VPN service to secure your Web experience, click the links below to read our full review.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Private Internet Access
$6.95 per month
$6.95 at Private Internet AccessPrivate Internet Access is a VPN service that tries to deliver everything you may ever need or want in one software package. There are instructions on how to install on a whole range of devices, including Windows, mobile devices, and even routers. Performance is phenomenal and the price tag is pretty reasonable to start with.
Norton Hotspot Privacy
$19.99 per month
Norton Hotspot Privacy gives you the ease of mind of a trusted brand while protecting your connection. It supports up to three devices with one account, which is a boon to multi-device households. Performance is excellent, too.
HotSpot Shield Elite
$4.99 per month, free version available
$4.99 at AnchorFreeAnchorFree HotSpot Shield makes it easy for users to surf online privately and securely, especially when they are connected to an open wireless hotspot. Minimal and non-invasive, HotSpot Shield Elite has always been a strong contender.
proXPN
$9.99 per month, free version available
Easy to set up and use, proXPN was one of the first services to offer features such as automatically closing the browser when the VPN drops.
VPN Direct
$9.99 per month, free version available
VPN Direct is the VPN service to have when overseas or needing some privacy when surfing online. With no bandwidth requirements and good performance, you can count on VPN Direct to keep you online.
VyprVPN
$19.99 per month
$0.00 at iTunesA little bit more expensive than comparative services, Golden Frog makes sure your Internet traffic is safe from hackers, curious onlookers, and your Internet Service Provider. The newly updated version has additional features which makes it even more robust.
HideIPVPN
14.99 per month
On the pricier-end of VPN services, HideIPVPN lets you install on non-standard hardware, such as a router or some Nokia devices. It is restricted to Europe, Canada, and US, though.
Private WiFi
$9.99 per month
Useful for public Wi-Fi hotspots, Private WiFi lets users surf online securely with a VPN network with a minimalist footprint
PureVPN
$9.95 per month
Some VPN services are for newbies, and some appeal to advanced users. PureVPN tries to balance both, by presenting a fairly easy to use interface for newcomers, but giving advanced users the option to fine-tune which servers they want to access.
Avast! SecureLine
$7.99 per month
If you already have avast antivirus, then you should just look into this SecureLine add-on. Turn on the feature from the antivirus and you now have an integrated product protecting you from malware and protecting your online activity. Performance is a little erratic, but overall, it’s a good tool to have.
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