Does it Matter Which VPN I Choose?

In the modern digital age, everything is connected. All of our personal information and sensitive data from bank accounts to browsing history is kept online. While this might be convenient, it also brings with it a new set of dangers that you need to be aware of.

The best way to keep your devices, information, and data private and secure is to use a VPN. Premium VPNs are some of the best cybersecurity tools that you can invest in to keep your devices safe from cybercrime.

However, you need to be careful in terms of which VPN you use, as not all of them are created equal. Here are some great VPNs to choose from, and in this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know when it comes to choosing the right VPN for you.

What is a VPN?

A VPN or virtual private network is a cybersecurity tool that is able to encrypt your internet connection. Doing so will mask what you do online as well as your physical location. Not even your internet service provider will be able to keep track of your data and browsing history. Thus, a VPN will give you unparalleled privacy and security while you’re browsing the internet.

A VPN is able to hide your physical location by allowing you to connect to one of several secure global servers in another country or city around the world. Doing so will change your IP address, which is a unique number that is used to identify your device on the internet as well as pinpoint its physical location.

It is especially important to use a VPN when you are travelling and using a public WiFi hotspot. Public WiFi Hotspots such as the ones found in airports, hotels, and restaurants often use unsecured networks. This is the perfect place for cybercriminals to infiltrate other people’s devices and install malicious software or steal their data.

Why Choosing The Right VPN is Important

It is important that you understand what to look for when choosing a premium VPN for your device. There are several important factors that you need to consider when you do your research on which VPN you should use, see them below;

Performance

The performance of a VPN is important because it will determine whether it is worth using or not. Some VPNs can cause slower internet speeds, which can lead to a frustrating browsing experience. Slower internet speeds can cause people to disable their VPN out of frustration, leaving their devices unprotected. Remember that the global server that you connect to has an impact on the speed of your VPN. If you connect to a server that is far away you may experience slower internet speeds compared to a server that is closer to your physical location.

Security

Ultimately, the whole point of having a VPN is to keep your devices secure. If the VPN is not great when it comes to its encryption and ability to mask what is happening on your device, you should definitely consider a different one. You also need to be aware of the VPNs ability to hide your location. The easiest way to test if a VPN is working is by connecting to a server in a different country and browsing the internet. If you notice different adverts compared to what you normally see, the VPN is working properly. For example, if you connect to a global server in the U.A.E, you should be seeing adverts in Arabic.

Rogue Software

One important thing to look out for when looking for a VPN is rogue software. Rogue software is a name given for fraudulent cybersecurity tools that have been developed by cybercriminals. The idea behind rogue software is for a victim to install the cybersecurity tool on their device. Once it is installed, the cybercriminals can install malicious software on the victim’s device and steal their data. While the victim thinks they are protecting their device, they are actually putting it more at risk than before.

Avoiding Free VPNs

While doing your research about which VPN to use you may come across some free VPNs. It might be tempting to use one of these free VPNs to save some money, however, it is not recommended that you do so. Free VPNs have several drawbacks that you must consider before you try to use them, see the list below to get an idea of what you can expect from free VPN software;

• Free VPNs usually have slower connection speeds. These connection speeds are limited by the VPN provider, so even if you have a fast internet connection you will have a frustratingly slow browsing experience.
• Free VPNs usually have a daily data cap. The bandwidth limit is normally set at 500 MB per day, which is not enough for you to browse the internet, watch videos or use social media for more than an hour. After you exceed your limit you will be left without a VPN for the rest of the day.
• Free VPNs have a limited selection of global servers to choose from. Oftentimes these are also the less popular servers, so you might not be able to use the VPN to gain access to the content you are looking for. These servers are also usually highly populated which makes the connection even slower.
• Free VPNs can sometimes be rogue software. This is something you need to be aware of as it could put your device at serious risk. Always do thorough research on a VPN before you still install it on your device.

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