FDN LIFE >
PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE THROUGH A VPN
- Michelle E. Veltman
- July 8, 2019
- 3:23 pm
- ISSUE NO: 02 > JUL-AUG '19
TECH & APPS >
Today, more than ever, our IP address is at risk. Since we perform everything from our work to streaming films and series, conducting financial transactions, and even chatting with a friend on the other side of the world online, a VPN is a much-needed tool to provide us with an extra layer of security.
WHAT IS A VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN adds a layer of security and privacy when we connect to private or public networks, whether by WiFi, the internet or hotspots. Especially FDNs who make use of public WiFi should consider connecting to the internet from a VPN. Furthermore, a VPN allows the selection of connection to a server from almost any country in the world. This is extremely helpful if the sites you access back home are blocked in another country. Let’s say you are from France but are living in Brazil for three months; you might have discovered that some websites you regularly access from France are blocked in Brazil. If you use a VPN and set the server to France, you will still be able to access these platforms since the IP registered will be from France, even if you are accessing these sites from Brazil.
WHICH VPN IS THE BEST?
TechRadar, IT Pro Portal, The Best VPN, and Digital Trends have tested hundreds of VPNs, ultimately putting together a list of their top VPNs. With the help of their testing and our own here at FDN Life, we have compiled a list for you of the top VPNs we have come across so far.
1 – EXPRESSVPN
TechRadar describes ExpressVPN as “The best all-round VPN service for speed, privacy, and unblocking.” It tops both their and ITProPortal’s list, while also being on the lists of TheBestVPN and Digital Trends. ExpressVPN is easily available and works on most platforms. It also has enterprise-level encryption, which makes it very secure. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries which all work fast, and customer support is available 24/7. The only drawback is that it is able to protect only three connections at the same time.
2 – NORDVPN
NordVPN also makes the cut on all four of the above-mentioned sites. On TheBestVPN, it is ranked first and described as the best allrounder, while it is ranked second on TechRadar, as well as ITProPortal, and third on Digital Trends. NordVPN protects six connections at once and is available in mobile and desktop format. However, it does not support live chats.
3 – IPVANISH
IPVanish is showcased on three of the sites. It ranks third on TechRadar and ITProPortal and fifth on TheBestVPN. Digital Trends does not have IPVanish on its list. IPVanish maintains its own servers, with fast live chat support, great configuration apps, and impressive download speed. However, it does not offer a free trial period.
4 – HOTSPOT SHIELD
Hotspot Shield is featured in fourth place on the lists of TechRadar and ITProPortal. Hotspot Shield is one of the more cost-effective VPNs, while still having good download speeds and being very easy to use. Unfortunately, it only works for official apps. Hotspot Shield has a more expensive Premium option, which is better than the normal option.
5 – SURFSHARK
Surfshark has unlimited device coverage, and the connections are usually fast. Surfshark is quite reasonably priced, but the service is somewhat basic and reportedly unstable on Android.
The VPNs listed below were also reviewed by at least one of the sites used and thus deserve to be mentioned in this article:
• CyberGhost
• Perfect Privacy
• Private Internet Access
• Torguard
• ProtonVPN
• Mullvad
• Trust.Zone
• ibVPN
• VyprVPN
• StrongVPN
FREE VPNs
TechRadar has also compiled a list of free VPN services. Although free VPNs do not cover as much as those you pay for, these free VPNs work perfectly for casual use if you merely want to protect your IP address:
• Hotspot Shield Free VPN
• Tunnel Bear
• Windscribe
• Speedify
• ProtonVPN Free
• Hide.me
• SurfEasy (Opera Free VPN)
• vPrivateTunnel
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EMAIL: [email protected]
FDN LIFE >
AUTHOR
Michelle E. Veltman
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