VPN – is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. Nowadays, these words are frequently used; some people stand for VPN, and some see the threat. But, the number of VPN users is only increasing, even though not everyone understands all the pros and cons. The primary purpose of a VPN service is to protect the user: to hide personal information, prevent tracking, and see invisible search requests from Third Parties.
Such protection is executed by encryption of different quality depending on the VPN service provider. Furthermore, a VPN service also masks the actual user’s IP and allows access to the corporate network from anywhere in the world. So, there are many reasons to use VPN, but how to choose the best?
How to choose a VPN service
There is some simple and essential advice that will help you to find a reliable VPN.
- Define the number of connections to the VPN
You need to define the number of electronic devices requiring constant VPN access. For example, you may need a VPN for routers or a simple VPN for your software. The VPN with the possibility of multiple connections is more expensive.
- The purpose of using a VPN
If you use a VPN for work, a middle-speed connection will be acceptable in most cases. But for torrents, watching videos, or streaming, you need a high-speed and reliable VPN. In addition, if you are traveling a lot and constantly use public Wi-Fi, you need a VPN with the highest protection level.
- The required level of encryption and safety
After you define the purpose, it is vital to check the available 5-10 VPN services and their proposals for safe, anonymous and protected connections. You need to find out how they mask IP-addresses, solutions for VPN service interruption, type of log-in storage information (better to store all information on several services), how traffic is distributed inside the virtual network, and the encryption protocol and protocol for file transfer. The critical issue is how the VPN service collects private information from users. The best way is to provide only email and pay by Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies.
- Available countries for VPN users
For almost all purposes, it is nice to have options for choosing countries of residence for your VPN service. For example, today, it may be essential for you to log in as a USA user, another day as Chinese. But unfortunately, not all VPN services have the wide choice.
- Supported software
Each VPN service supports particular software, smartphones, PC. Having a VPN with the most extensive list of supported devices is always better. You never know what next device you will purchase.
- Type of IP address provided by VPN service
The safest solution for users is to have a static IP address that is only for you; with such access, you will have complete access to all web resources, and this is a guarantee that it is not blocked. Unfortunately, some VPN services provide only for a limited time the static address; mainly, you receive dynamic. This is not so bad, but static is always better.
- Availability of technical support
24/7 technical support in your language is a must-have if you rely on a VPN service. The more detailed answer you receive on the request is an agreement to protect your data.
- The price
Any good service costs money. Unfortunately, the free versions of VPNs are designed not to provide a good service but to steal your personal information and sell it to Third Parties for advertisements or criminals.
5 Signs you have chosen a bad VPN
If the user follows the previous chapter’s tips, you can feel safe with your chosen VPN. But if you skip something or read the article after using a VPN service? Below are five signs that you may be in trouble and should find a better VPN.
- Check Reviews
The easiest way to check the reviews. If you experience some common problems, they definitely have already been found by other users. The number of reviews should be significant and during a significant period. If all reviews are positive and fresh, do not rely on this VPN.
- Check your IP-address
There are a lot of Internet resources that can show your IP address. First, check your address without a VPN (when it turns off); secondly, check with a VPN. If it is the same, VPN does not work; you need to check the installation settings urgently.
- Registration data
The main focus of every VPN is anonymity. If you need to fill in detailed personal data during registration, there is an alert about the purpose and how they will be stored and used later.
- Emergency shutdown
Every VPN should be able to disable anytime- like an emergency button. You need to control your VPN traffic. Otherwise, it is not safe.
- No information about VPN Developer
Proper VPN Developer gives the Company history showed significant achievements in software creation. This will ensure that the product is trustable and based on the best available technologies. Therefore, no information or some lines is a reason to think appropriately about this VPN.
In general, more information about VPNs, including negative ones, provides an overview of the most common problems, and its developer functions are better. The most reliable VPNs have a trial period or the period when money will be returned. Do not follow sales or some attractive additional proposal. The promises to protect the user from all threats, provide access to all worldwide websites without tracking, and obtain access with a speed five times higher than your average Internet speed – do not look like a reliable VPN.
Conclusion
VPN is a good network that allows you to surf the Internet in a safe and anonymous mode. Even though there is no ideal product, the market already proposes many VPN services. You need to follow the simple instructions described earlier and check the chosen VPN if it has some signs of a bad one. Do not follow free proposals, as your data can be sold to third Companies, or you can receive some viruses on your electronic device.
