- VPN services offer high-level encryption to protect your data from cyber attacks. Look for providers offering 256-bit encryption for optimal security.
- Consider the trade-off between internet speed and encryption when choosing a VPN service. Test the service during trial periods to ensure it meets your speed requirements.
- Look for VPN services with a "kill switch" feature to ensure data is only transferred when encrypted, enhancing security and privacy online.
In today’s Internet-powered world, we have access to numerous opportunities in areas like education, career, research, and entertainment. However, the online space has its share of threats too. For instance, if you accidentally visit a malicious website, then it can install spyware or ransomware on your computer or smartphone. You also risk your identity when you are online as cyber attackers are always on the prowl looking to steal your bank details, social media accounts, etc.
Even though the Internet has its dangers, there are many things you can do to protect your privacy. One of the these is using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). These services are available in a huge variety online and you can even check their reviews to find one that fits your requirements perfectly. However, if you are interested in learning about some of the things that can make your choice easier, then you can check out the following:
-
Contents show
Encryption Level
One of the biggest reasons why people use VPN services is that they offer high-level encryptions that make it nearly impossible for anyone to hack into your connection and read the data transmitted to and from your system. However, there are two main levels of encryptions- 128-bit and 256-bit. The latter is more secure and provided by the majority of top VPN services. However, some offer 128-bit encryption which is less effective. So, be sure to check out the encryption level of the service providers before you make any decision.
-
Internet Speed
When you are using a VPN service, then you should expect a trade-off in terms of Internet speed. This is because your online requests are encrypted before they are sent to the target websites which can lead to slower loading of pages and poor download rates. So, it’s important that you look for VPN services that offer the fastest servers.
It’s easy to find a VPN that promises high bandwidth. However, you may not necessarily get the speed that’s advertised. This is because it depends a lot on the location of the servers. For instance, if you are based in the US and using a VPN server based in Germany, then you may get slower Internet connection compared to someone who is using the same server but based in France. So, the only way to accurately detect the browsing speed is to test the service yourself. This can be easily done if the VPN provider is offering a trial period during which you can check out the features and Internet speed for free. You can also try a VPN if they are offering a money-back guarantee.
- Kill Switch
If a VPN service supports a “kill switch”, then it means that it can stop sending data from your device as soon as the connection to the VPN server ends. This is to ensure that data is transferred only when it’s encrypted and not sent at all when it’s not.
Even though kill switches in VPN apps are prone to inaccuracies and may not work all the time, they are still something to look for when you are comparing the options. Technically, apps that keep the kill switches in the upper layers of the network connections may come into effect with a small delay which is something you need to be concerned about. However, there are apps that use low-level switches that can be more responsive and safer. So, these are the ones that you can learn about and use with assurance.
-
Features
The main objective of a VPN is to enable anonymous and safe Internet access. However, there are apps that offer tons of additional features that can make your experience better. For instance, there are apps that allow easy torrenting, installation on routers, selection of different servers on the fly, etc. In the same way, if you want to use VPN service in China, then you should also look for options that allow the same since the Chinese government has banned a large number of VPN services in the country.
-
Pricing
The pricing of popular VPN services is pretty much neck-to-neck. For instance, NordVPN costs $2.99 per month while SAFERVPN costs $3.99 a month. However, this is not to say that expensive services don’t exist as we have hidemyass VPN that can set you back by $6.55 every month. In the end, you shouldn’t pay attention to the cost but rather the services offered. There is no point in picking the cheapest option if it can’t give you the best protection.
Picking the right VPN service is more important than you think. Even if you plan to use it for watching geo-restricted content online or buying subscription services at lower prices, you want the main benefit i.e. online security. So, compare all your options and pick one only when you are 100% sure. The information above will also be able to help you a lot. Good luck!
