Although the modern world is interconnected like never before, we’re plagued by geographical restrictions. Various things that should be available to everyone are exclusive because of distribution rights, international copyright, or downright censorship.
Thankfully, cutting-edge technology in the form of Virtual Private Networks (or VPNs) can remedy this injustice. This software redirects your online traffic through servers in other countries, making it appear that you’re located elsewhere. Meanwhile, your actual place of origin is hidden away.
However, you can’t just pick any VPN from the street and expect good results. Instead, you need to sign up for the best VPN services. They have excellent reputations, solid performance, and affordable prices. Read on to learn how you can benefit from them.
Main reasons to use a VPN
Changing your location with one of the sounds like a straightforward ordeal, but it can achieve many great things. After all, a virtual private network encrypts your web activities, making them unreadable to your internet service provider and other onlookers.
Getting around geographical restrictions
One of the most popular VPN use cases is getting around geographical restrictions. The issue is widespread and affects various online services, including video streaming platforms (Netflix, HBO Max), music streaming (Spotify), sporting events, and more. These limitations become especially apparent when you travel and can no longer access your favorite movies and TV shows.
It’s important to note that VPNs unlock not only television you’re accustomed to but also exclusive foreign content. That means investing in a VPN allows you to get more out of your streaming service subscriptions.
Hiding from surveillance
In extreme cases, governments restrict access to information-sharing websites, including social media, Wikipedia, and independent news publications. Not only that, they monitor the online activities of everyone to ensure that no one is reading “restricted information.” Think of countries like China or Russia and what would happen if you were caught expressing the wrong ideas.
A VPN works by unlocking blocked websites and keeping you hidden from government surveillance. However, it’s vital to use extremely-secure and trusted services that don’t cooperate with the authorities.
Improved privacy and data protection
You don’t need to be a resident of a totalitarian country to benefit from the privacy-enhancing features of a virtual private network. Plus, it’s abundantly clear that profit-driven companies do their fair share of monitoring and data harvesting too. After all, selling user data is lucrative; just ask Google or Meta.
Enabling a VPN is a great way to take control of your data and protect it from ISPs, advertising agencies, and governments. However, remember that it isn’t an all-in-one solution.
Extra security features
The best VPN services grant extra tools that aren’t typically included in virtual private networks. Specifically, they have features that protect users against other digital threats, such as malicious ads, trackers, phishing attacks, and malware. Normally, you’d need to purchase a separate antivirus solution for that.
Best VPNs in 2022: overview
As mentioned before, these benefits are only included if you opt for the leaders of the VPN industry. And so, here’s a brief introduction to the top 3 virtual private networks that you need to check out for the best possible benefits.
NordVPN – the best overall VPN
The #1 VPN on the market is which costs only $3.09/month. Firstly, it boasts an impressive network of 5500+ servers across 59+ countries. Some of them are categorized as specialty servers (P2P, Onion over VPN, Double VPN, obfuscated) for achieving specific goals. Best of all, industry-leading connection speeds are conducted with the one-of-a-kind NordLynx tunneling protocol.
The security front is covered with the Threat Protection feature. It blocks unwanted ads and online trackers and scans files and your system for viruses. Meanwhile, top-notch privacy is guaranteed because the service is based in Panama and has an independently-audited no-logs policy.
Surfshark VPN – excellent VPN with unlimited connections
Looking for a well-performing VPN to protect an unfathomable number of devices at an affordable $2.49/month price? VPN is the ideal candidate! The service runs a network of 3200+ RAM-only servers across 95+ countries, supports unlimited device connections, and grants blazing-fast connectivity using WireGuard.
Customers can also enable a fair number of bonus security features. For example, CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware while the VPN is turned on. On the other hand, NoBorders mode can curb restrictions against VPN traffic. Plus, you can keep cyberstalkers off your trail by enabling Rotating IP to constantly change your IP address.
PrivateVPN – solid budget-friendly VPN
You’ll be happy to hear that excellent digital security doesn’t cost a fortune. PrivateVPN starts at only $2.00/month and grants you everything you’ll need to stay protected online. One subscription supports 10 simultaneous connections, access to over 200 servers in 63+ countries, and facilitates connections using the OpenVPN protocol.
Like all industry veterans, works great with streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Unsurprisingly, it’s a heavy hitter in the digital security department with its Stealth VPN technology. Lastly, you can enjoy absolute anonymity by purchasing the service using Bitcoin.
How to use a VPN
Virtual private networks work on a diverse array of platforms. Unsurprisingly, the best VPN services provide dedicated apps for the most widely-used devices (desktop computers and mobile phones). Furthermore, you’ll even find bonus apps for home entertainment systems, such as Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.
If you come across a solid VPN without apps for your preferred device, check whether the service is compatible with routers (all our recommendations support this method). Then you’ll have to install the VPN on a router and connect the app-lacking device to the newly-configured router network.
Still not sure how to reap the benefits of a VPN? Follow this step-by-step guide!
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- Subscribe to one of the best VPN services. Our #1 recommendation is NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app on the device that needs extra security and content-unblocking capabilities. Alternatively, manually configure a router with a VPN connection.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a server. Choose a nearby location for optimal download speeds or a foreign region to unlock exclusive content.
- Go online and enjoy the world wide web privately without geographical restrictions!
Are VPNs safe to use?
You might be rightfully concerned about the safety of using a VPN in the first place. After all, rerouting your online traffic through third-party servers could mean handing over your data to someone else.
Thankfully, there are a few ways of verifying whether a provider is trustworthy. First, it should be operating from privacy-respecting jurisdiction, ideally outside the gaze of the Five Eyes alliance. Secondly, it must adhere to a strict zero-logs policy. It’s an easy claim to make, but it rings true if a third party audit the service.
Finally, you should do some research on whether the VPN has some skeletons in its closet. To be precise, whether it had critical security issues or a history of cooperating with authorities and handing over user data.
Ultimately, there’s no foolproof way to confirm whether a VPN provider is 100% safe to use. It all boils down to trust.
Bonus cybersecurity tips
Enabling a VPN isn’t the only thing necessary for staying secure and invisible online. You must also follow a few other cyber hygiene measures to leave no tracks while browsing.
- Incognito mode. Most browsers have an anonymity-enhancing mode that doesn’t store search queries and wipes your browsing history. It marginally helps to minimize tracking.
- Avoid products from big tech companies. Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and other larger-than-life companies offer free products that collect troves of data about you. This information is later sold off to advertisers.
- Don’t use free closed-source products. There’s nothing wrong with free, open-source software. On the other hand, you should be skeptical about no-cost services that promise too much yet disallow checking the source code. Most likely, they’re collecting data about you. Naturally, this principle applies to free VPNs, too.
Conclusion
There is much to gain from using the best VPN services. They can unblock geo-restricted content, keep you anonymous online, and prevent digital threats from harming your devices. Plus, these providers have years of experience in the field and utilize modern technologies to ensure top-notch performance.
That’s not something every VPN can provide, so make sure to pick the top options and avoid unreliable alternatives.