You are well aware of what a VPN is and how it works. But when it comes to choosing the right one, there are many options. This post will help you make an informed decision. However, first things first.
Never opt for a free VPN service
No wonder you would use a VPN to make your online experience private. A VPN provider that values user privacy will offer you the best service in exchange for a specific price. But free VPN providers operate differently. Neither an ISP nor a free VPN respects user privacy. Free VPNs sell personal information to interested parties and make money. On the other hand, you pay an ISP to provide internet access.
Remember, when you are not paying, you become the product that might be sold to others for profit.
Despite this, not every paid VPN provider is trustworthy. In reality, many paid VPNs have a history of selling user data. Some of them have involvement in shady activities as well. Therefore, it is wise to do thorough research before choosing a VPN provider. There is no need to make a choice based on what they say or what review sites highlight. Keep in mind that it is not possible to offer a service free of cost, like a VPN, to thousands of users. This is because it requires lots of servers, bandwidth, energy and time to operate and maintain a VPN service efficiently. Some sort of monetisation should be available even if the VPN service is free to use.
How to choose a reliable VPN
Before choosing a VPN, you should know why you need it. Here are the two main reasons.
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To avoid geographical restrictions
You may want to watch something on the BBC online while staying safe on a public Wi-Fi. At the same time, you are not worried if the VPN keeps logs, like your internet service provider does.
In that case, you should use a VPN that has servers in the UK or the US. In short, you have to choose the server where streaming services like Netflix function smoothly. Click here if you find difficulty accessing Netflix in your region.
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To maximise online privacy
If you are looking for privacy, you should choose a VPN provider that includes these basic features.
- Provides robust encryption for every connection
- Supports modern-day technologies such as WireGuard or OpenVPN
- Accepts payments anonymously, such as cryptocurrencies, gift cards, or even cash
- Openly discloses its leadership team and ownership structure
You should consider these four points when choosing a VPN provider. Also, you should know the extent of jurisdiction that the provider incorporates. Additionally, knowing the server locations is equally important. Keep in mind that privacy regulations vary from one country to another. Although time-consuming, you should evaluate these things.
Let’s discuss why you need to consider these points in detail.
Strong encryption
A VPN provider that uses OpenVPN will use robust encryption methods. Find out if your desired provider offers the same. Here are the things to look out for.
- PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy) – This latest technology makes every VPN session unique by using a different key each time. Even if an imposter manages to hack a single connection, they cannot see other data.
- RSA-2048 encryption – The provider should have support for an RSA-4096 encryption connection for ultimate security.
Additionally, ensure that your provider undergoes audits from independent third-party agencies regularly. For example, Mullvad published a security audit for client applications. TunnelBear also publishes audits annually for the services they offer.
Audits from independent agencies are important because they reflect whether users can trust the VPN provider. A successful security audit proves the provider can truly offer a secure connection, not just claim it.
Modern-Day Technology
There should be an option to use any OpenVPN client to connect to your VPN. You should not use insecure technologies such as IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP. Although the latest technology, called WireGuard seems appealing. But it is still under development. Therefore, it is not recommended to use.
While checking the tech, see if your provider offers its app for you to download and connect. These applications allow you to use the VPN with ease and are a lot safer. If the VPN has its own app, ask these questions.
- Does the VPN client include a kill switch? – Normal OpenVPN clients may include this functionality. However, several custom VPN clients have this feature. A kill switch lets you cut off your internet entirely if the VPN disconnects. This ensures you do not access the internet through your ISP’s connection accidentally.
- Is the VPN client open-source? – An open-source VPN client allows anyone to access and audit the code to see what is going on. Closed-source VPN clients are like black boxes. You are handing over your data without knowing what is happening to it.
Making Anonymous Payments
You should know how you can pay the provider for the subscription. Certain providers will accept cash as payment via email. This does not leave a money trail digitally. Some providers may ask for gift cards as payment from retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon. This method also gives you anonymity without the need for a middleman, like an email. Whereas some providers may accept payment via cryptocurrencies.
If avoiding a money trail matters, never use payment methods tied to you. For example, a debit card, a credit card, or PayPal. But if your provider does not accept these payment methods, you still have other options. A prepaid debit card can give you anonymity as well. Whatever the payment method, you should consider one thing. If the provider does not offer anonymous, convenient payment options, how much do they value your privacy?
Credibility Issues
Staying private is the reason why you are using a VPN. But your provider does not need to be private. Therefore, a provider might hide their leadership and ownership information from its users. They might operate under multiple shell companies. Besides, they might hide illegal business practices that might not benefit the users.
Most importantly, you would never trust someone with your finances who has a fake identity. So, why should you trust them with your sensitive data?
Hence, evaluate everything within your capacity about the provider. For example, who owns the Company? Have the executives worked with big tech companies in the past? And so on.
Yearly transparency reports from providers make your task easier. A reliable provider should respond to government requests and publish important information whenever asked for. As such, users can see how transparent the provider is. However, does the VPN you are choosing do everything it can to protect your privacy, even when facing legal pressure?
What’s next?
Whenever you want to use a commercial VPN, evaluate the company to find out if they are trustworthy. There will always be some providers that offer the best privacy solution. Research providers by considering your requirements.
