nGeeks.com English Edition
Internet users are more aware of the need to protect their privacy than ever before. There are more than 4.6 billion active internet users on the planet, but only a tiny percentage of those users have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) installed on their machine.
VPN usage is increasing as people take more care of their privacy. A VPN creates a virtual network, hence the name, which protects your privacy when accessing the internet. It does this by creating an encrypted tunnel for your data, protecting your online identity by hiding your IP address. Furthermore, VPNs allow you to use public WiFi hotspots without fearing someone is monitoring your internet usage.
Because of how VPNs work, they can be used to access websites that would not ordinarily be available in your country. For example, you may reside in France but want to access betting websites in the USA, but your government blocks access. A good VPN can make it look like you are located in the USA, thus granting access to previously inaccessible websites.
Some VPNs are entirely free to use, but they tend to limit the number of different countries you can appear in, reduce download speeds, and lack certain security features. The best VPNs command a monthly or annual fee and all but guarantee complete privacy and peace of mind.
NordVPN is arguably the biggest name in VPNs and one that has been at the top of the industry since its launch in February 2012. Nord VPN is based in Panama, a country with no mandatory data retention laws, and does not participate in the Fourteen Eyes or Five Eyes alliances.
The company boasts of more than 5,200 servers, more than any other VPN provider, and in almost 60 countries. Those servers are located at more than 80 destinations, meaning you will always be able to find a location to connect to.
NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption as standard, which means your data is fully protected. Still, it is possible to use Nord’s Double VPN system where your data is encrypted twice, which is handy if your anonymity is paramount.
Many NordVPN users take advantage of accessing country-specific versions of Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, and Amazon because the software does a great job at unblocking these sites.
Best of all, there are several subscription options available, and NordVPN regularly runs promotions where you can receive up to a year’s protection for free.
ExpressVPN
NordVPN may be the biggest name in the VPN world, but ExpressVPN has made big waves. It has more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations, in almost 100 countries globally. You can enjoy five simultaneous connections, which is less than some of ExpressVPN’s rivals but more than enough for the everyday internet user.
The company’s developers have worked wonders to create an easy-to-use interface that even the least tech-savvy people have no problem using. Furthermore, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available today, plus it works on every platform you can think of, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the new kid on the block, having released in 2018. Despite its tender age, Surfshark provides excellent protection for ridiculously low prices. Taking out an annual subscription comes with an effective price of approximately $2.50 per month, which is around $0.08 per day!
Do not be fooled by the super-low subscription fees because Surfshark is the real deal. Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is extremely easy to use, your one account covers all your devices, and it is excellent at unblocking country-restricted websites.
The only real downside to Surfshark is it lacks the speeds of both NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It is not slow by any means, and any VPN usage reduces your download speed, but Surfshark simply cannot keep up with the pace of its two biggest rivals.