6 things to consider when choosing a VPN (2024)

VPN is a great tool for securing your privacy on the internet. It works as a tunnel for your internet connection. No one outside can see what you do with VPN switched on — except your VPN provider. With access to all your browsing data, your VPN provider is a key player in your online privacy. How will you know, which VPN you can trust from the hundreds of options out there?

Here are 6 things to consider, when you choose your VPN service.

1. A free VPN is, in fact, not free

A free VPN might sound great, but the truth is that all companies need to make money to cover their costs. Some free VPNs do that with ads, some by selling their users’ data. Some­times free means slower connection speed and less features.

2. Security experience of the vendor

VPN market is growing fast, and it has attracted lots of new vendors. Not all have much experience, and not much is known about the companies. VPN solutions are about online security and privacy, so demand trans­parency and a decent back­ground in cyber security from your provider.

3. All reviews are not independent

When you look for a VPN, you probably search information online. You can find count­less VPN comparisons and reviews. Some of them are paid and some are independent. It’s not always easy to tell which ones are non-biased, so be critical about which ones you trust.

4. VPN provider’s home country matters

VPN companies must follow the laws of their home country. These laws can require them to collect, store and provide data to authorities. This can compromise your privacy. The lack of laws controlling the collection and handling of user data can also be risky. That’s why it is important to know where your VPN is from.

5. Check your VPN’s privacy policy

Almost all VPNs claim to keep no logs. But this is not true. Most VPNs must keep at least connection logs to provide the service. But some data, such as your browsing history, you may want to keep private. Verify your VPN provider’s claims and read their privacy policy.

6. Thousands of servers may be a security risk

VPN providers rent servers from all over the world. Especially if they offer tons of server options. This means that they may have less control of their whole server network. Consider which locations you need and don’t just go for the vendor with the largest number of servers.

6 things to consider when choosing a VPN (2024)

FAQs

6 things to consider when choosing a VPN? ›

Bandwidth and performance speed

A VPN's primary concern is your online privacy and security, but no one wants to compromise on speed. Fast streaming is a priority for people looking for a new VPN, and many free versions cap your Internet usage, slowing down your performance.

Which 6 criteria would you consider when choosing a VPN? ›

6 things to consider when choosing a VPN
  • A free VPN is, in fact, not free. ...
  • Security experience of the vendor. ...
  • All reviews are not independent. ...
  • VPN provider's home country matters. ...
  • Check your VPN's privacy policy. ...
  • Thousands of servers may be a security risk.

What should you look for in a VPN? ›

Bandwidth and performance speed

A VPN's primary concern is your online privacy and security, but no one wants to compromise on speed. Fast streaming is a priority for people looking for a new VPN, and many free versions cap your Internet usage, slowing down your performance.

What should I watch when I get a VPN? ›

The best new movies to stream with a VPN
  • Psycho (1960)
  • Matilda (1996)
  • The Bourne trilogy (2002-2007)
  • Sony's Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007)
  • Inside Man (2006)
  • Inception (2010)
  • The Hateful Eight (2015)

How can you trust a VPN? ›

A VPN connection is made through highly secure protocols at a level of encryption that has never been cracked. This, coupled with the anonymity of IP masking and location spoofing, renders your online presence nearly untraceable. If you or your organization handle sensitive information, then a VPN is a must.

What are seven things you should know before using a free VPN? ›

7 things you should know about using a free VPN
  • The VPN provider could be infected with malware. ...
  • VPNs can use embedded tracking for various purposes. ...
  • VPNs can often fail at unblocking content. ...
  • VPNs might slow down your connection. ...
  • VPNs may allow delivery of online ads. ...
  • VPNs might hijack your browser.

How do you choose your VPN? ›

13 things to consider while choosing a VPN
  1. Security and privacy. ...
  2. Speed. ...
  3. Strong encryption. ...
  4. Easy setup and use. ...
  5. Simultaneous connections. ...
  6. Number of servers and their locations. ...
  7. Supported VPN protocols. ...
  8. Logging policy.
May 23, 2023

What should you not use a VPN for? ›

One reason why you may not want to use a VPN is because it could slow down your internet connection speed significantly. There are several factors that affect your internet speeds when using a VPN, including the fact that a VPN encrypts your data and routes it through different servers, which slows down the process.

How do you know if a VPN is trustworthy? ›

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your VPN program doesn't contain any malware: Choose a secure VPN. Check your VPN provider's reputation before purchasing a service. Read some reviews and comments, and check its privacy policy, no-logs policy, and encryption methods to ensure the VPN is trustworthy.

Can you tell me a good VPN? ›

If you just want to check out the three best VPN services of 2024, simply pick from NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark below – I rate them as the very best products available.

What is the number one rated VPN? ›

Comparison of the Best VPNs
SystemNordVPNSurfshark
Ranking1st2nd
Ratings9.7/10 Best for Privacy9.5/10 Best Security
Best Monthly Price$3.69$2.19
Maximum Monthly Cost$12.99$10.99
4 more rows
6 days ago

Can I watch Netflix through a VPN? ›

VPNs (virtual private networks) can make your device or network look like it's connecting to Netflix from somewhere other than your actual location. While using Netflix through a VPN, we will only show you TV shows and movies we have worldwide rights for, like Squid Game or Stranger Things.

Can I use a VPN on my smart TV? ›

Yes, you can run a VPN on your smart TV — if the manufacturer and operating system are right. If your smart TV has an app store that features VPN apps, it'll be really easy to set up. In other circ*mstances, you might need to put in some extra work, like setting up a VPN on a router.

When should a VPN not be used? ›

When should you turn off your VPN?
  1. Speeding up the internet. Internet speed is of the utmost importance in certain situations (e.g., when gaming or downloading massive files). ...
  2. Using online banking. ...
  3. Connecting to a secure hotspot. ...
  4. Accessing specific websites. ...
  5. Avoiding software conflicts.
Dec 27, 2023

Are there any dangers with VPN? ›

Key reasons not to use a free VPN include: Free VPN tools compromise user security: Many free VPN tools contain malware that could be used by cyber criminals to steal users' data, gain unauthorized access to their data or machine, or launch a cyberattack.

What is the most secure VPN in the world? ›

NordVPN is the most secure VPN. From two kill switches and modern tunneling protocols to an independently audited no-logs policy and basic anti-malware Threat Protection, NordVPN essentially has all the components for a fully secure VPN.

What are the requirements for VPN? ›

To get started, you'll need a VPN client, a VPN server, and a VPN router. The downloadable client connects you to servers around the world, so employees everywhere can access your small business network. The client can be used on devices like smartphones and laptops, even if workers are using public Wi-Fi networks.

What are the 3 most common VPN protocols? ›

The 3 most common VPN protocols are OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2/IPsec.

How do I choose a VPN protocol? ›

The best VPN protocol for you depends on a number of factors, including what device you're using, how much balance between security and speed you want, what type of activities you're doing online, and more. OpenVPN and WireGuard are generally considered the best VPN protocols for day-to-day use.

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