How to choose a VPN provider?

Tips and Tricks VPN 2018-08-27 21:52:00 - by Rachel Lee

Virtual private networks, sometimes known as VPNs, are a quick and simple way to have your computer appear to be coming from another place. They achieve this by setting up a virtual network that sends all of the network traffic from your computer or smartphone through an encrypted tunnel and out the other end, giving the impression to others that you are physically present in the location of the VPN server. This can assist you in getting around geographical limitations, avoiding censorship, or maintaining (relative) online anonymity.

We know by now what VPNs are capable of and why they are a must-have in this day and age. Now, the question is – how do we choose the most reliable and effective VPN tool with so many options out there? At this point, plenty of users already get lost in figuring out which VPN service to give preference to. In this post, we will talk about the key aspects of a VPN tool that you need to look into as a user who can benefit so much from it. Whether you want to increase your online security or have the flexibility of watching content from worldwide streaming libraries, you may be thinking of obtaining one of the best VPNs. This security software makes the encryption of your personal information and circumvention of the geo-restrictions that many streaming platforms impose on their material.

Customer support is also crucial, so you should examine each VPN's availability, what forms of contact are available, and how efficient their support team is. While all VPNs promise to protect your privacy and encrypt your traffic, several characteristics make particular services better suited for particular uses than others. Now let's take a closer look at them.

Which VPN provider should you choose when so many different ones are available and so many distinct reasons to use one?

What you should look for in a VPN Service

There are plenty of VPN services available in the market today. But to know which ones are a cut above the rest, you need to look at their performance in the following key areas:

Speed

Of course, this is something that every internet-based service needs to be consistent with. You get a VPN service to ensure that your internet connection is fast and safe. Depending on your activities, from watching HD movies to playing online games, internet speed is something you can’t lag at if you’re a service provider. Because today, the faster your speeds are, the more you get out of your Internet experience.

Encryption Key

You cannot afford to miss this term if you’re talking internet language on security and privacy. Encryption keys enable VPNs to properly hide a user’s data, making it impossible for hackers to target and steal your personal or business information. Most VPNs use a key length of 1024 bits which has been considered safe and reliable since a few years ago. However, as modern computers and tools are being used by hackers nowadays, it’s important that you pick a service with 2048-bit keys.

Protocol

If one key aspect tips the scale towards a better VPN service, it has to be the protocol with which a VPN service works. Look for services supported by PPTP and L2TP protocols, as they offer the safest and most effective protection. However, if you’re more into privacy and anonymity, then you may also want to consider an OpenVPN-based service. On top of its premium on privacy, OpenVPNs also protect you against cyber-attacks and snooping entities. A combination of the three should be more than enough to cover your security and privacy needs, so go with a service that offers all these.

Platform Accessibility

Nowadays, everybody can access the internet through various means, by that we mean using different devices or platforms. Not only can we go online through our computers and laptops, but it’s also now common to use smart devices such as mobile phones and tablets to do this task. And since going online poses several threats to users’ privacy and security, it’s essential to protect each of your devices when you access the internet. That being said, it’s important to pick a VPN service that works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and MacOs devices, as much as possible.

Number of Devices Covered

Following the above point, you need to get a VPN service that can be installed on a number of devices simultaneously. This feature will help you ensure protection across all your devices when you access the internet on private and public networks.

Pricing

To save money, you could be tempted to choose a free service. Free, however, does not always imply superiority, particularly when it comes to security services.

While searching for a VPN to access geo-restricted content while on the go, you should be aware that many free versions have issues connecting to streaming services, and companies frequently only have a certain amount of available data bandwidth. Also, they might make your internet connection slower.

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that free software you download will provide the same level of security protection as expensive ones. Businesses are forced to rely on advertising if they don't charge consumers to utilize the software.

Services may appear very similar on paper, but you want to get the full benefits of the product that you pick without hurting your finances, so it’s vital that you also consider the price when choosing a VPN over another. Most VPN services come in a variety of plans. Get a plan that works best for your budget, giving preference to the more comprehensive (pricier) ones as they offer better connection speeds to match the service that you need.

If you haven’t explored your options yet for a VPN service, check out VPN Surf‘s features and how easy it is to use for your online activities. By educating yourself with the features and tools that match your needs, you can make a wiser decision when it comes to choosing a VPN service.

Conclusion

Finally, selecting a VPN provider necessitates careful consideration of several factors, such as security features, privacy policies, server locations, and pricing. Before making a decision, conducting research and comparing multiple providers is critical. You can ensure you choose a reliable and trustworthy VPN provider that meets your needs by following the steps outlined in this article. Remember to put security and privacy first, and don't be afraid to contact customer service if you have any questions or concerns. With the right VPN provider, you can have a more secure, private, and safe online experience.