If you are new to the VPN and the whole world has been telling you for months that they are perfect for privacy, security, and accessibility of international content, streaming sites, games and web pages, you would surely want to get one.
However, don’t hire a VPN service without first examining your budget, the market, and your system and devices, with the intention of identifying which one may be better for you. Here is a list of all the features you must look for a VPN client before closing the purchase:
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OpenVPN support
The protocols are the means or tools that VPN brands use to encrypt the users’ data and traffic to protect them from hackers and prying eyes on the web. There are several excellent protocols, such as the Layer to Tunneling Protocol combined with Internet Protocol Security (L2TP/IPSec,) the Internet Key Exchange, version 2 (IKEv2,) and the Secure Sockets Tunneling Protocol (SSTP.) However, the best of all is OpenVPN.
The majority of VPN clients and apps have OpenVPN available, as it is widely recognized as the most secure in the field. It is very safe to use, as it doesn’t allow any leaks of users IP addresses. It is also highly configurable, and it can run on almost all known devices and operating system.
OpenVPN is open source, which means that it continually feeds from contributions of the community, which are verified and tested. Before hiring a VPN service, make sure it has OpenVPN support available for your device.
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A strict no logging policy
Privacy is a big deal these days. Even if you are not doing anything wrong online, you don’t want any spies or prying eyes looking at your generated traffic, most visited sites and browsing history.
Numerous VPN providers say that they don’t keep your data logs, but not only they do it, but also, they make a profit off it by selling it to third-parties. Sometimes, online stores are looking to build customers or buyers’ profiles, and they need access to your likes and dislikes to make advertising messages directly to you.
You don’t want to visit a site and then have governmental agencies, your Internet Service Provider or any other agent knocking on your door or sending you letters to know more details. You are entitled to your privacy, and finding a VPN provider that keeps no logs of your activity is a must.
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Mobile apps and router support
While it is true that most of the computing devices existing these days are either Windows or MacOS-powered, there are more operating systems available in the market and a VPN app needs to cover most, if not all of them. For example, there is a sizable netizen community that uses Linux.
However, as the world migrates towards a more portable, mobile and digital society; smartphones, tablets and other gadgets also need extensive VPN coverage and full compatibility.
A good VPN needs to have apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux devices, to keep up with the requirements and needs of every customer. Additionally, router support is also crucial, because clients look for ways to secure all of their devices under the same VPN network. The best VPN brands, such as TorGuard and IPVanish; for example, offer pre-flashed routers for sale, already configured with the VPN encryption for users to install and use.
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Multiple server locations
Suppose you are a streaming addict. What do you prefer for your sessions, a VPN with 100 servers in 15 nations or one with 3,000 servers in 55 countries? The answer doesn’t require much thinking, right?
The more servers you have, the better, because you can switch between options at no cost in your quest for the better, faster speed and performance. The odds of finding those attributes are better in our second option than in the first.
On the other hand, if you have access to servers from more countries, that means you can find content, channels, and services in more nations, optimizing your VPN service. That is good for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
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A kill switch
If you have a kill switch, you will make sure that, in the event of a VPN connection loss, you will remain protected against hackers, virus developers, crypto miners, surveillance agencies, ISPs and any external agents.
How do kill switches work? If your VPN gets disconnected for some reason, it will automatically disable all data transfers to safeguard your system, remembering that you would not be under the standard VPN protection.
Before deciding on what VPN app to hire for your privacy and encryption services, make sure that the one you choose has an integrated kill switch to fend off any threat or security hazard that dares to enter, or even come near your system or device.
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Anonymous DNS servers
DNS (Domain Name System) are the tools that allow you to assign names to URL addresses. Every web page goes on the Internet with a given number, which is the IP (Internet Protocol ) address. However, it is almost impossible the remember more than eight digits of every site you want to visit, so DNS can help your device to translate the mentioned URL to the IP address.
To make the mentioned conversion from numbers to names for more natural management, your Internet connection typically uses the help of your Internet Service Provider or even form a third-party app. However, these services are known to monitor every step you make in your online sessions, and you don’t want that, right? Fortunately, there are VPNs in the market that run their DNS servers, so if you want encryption, security, and privacy, you should check if your preferred provider offers this option.
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Anti-malware / Spyware features
The Internet is such a dangerous place that you would need to protect yourself with more than one security measure. That is why users often pair the encryption power of VPNs with antivirus software, and if it has anti-malware or anti-spyware features, then the better. However, whenever you can, connect to HTTPS-protected sites for enhanced safety.
Spyware is a form of malware that can collect information from your computer and then transmit it to an external entity or service without your knowledge or consent. Malware is any malicious program or software that can inflict varying degrees of damage to your system or computer.
Having a VPN client that can both give you the privacy you need and provide you anti-malware and anti-spyware features to make sure these threats don’t reach you, is worth its weight in gold. Make sure your VPN has these offerings.
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Price
Price is a tricky feature to look at when you are searching the ideal VPN for your needs and requirements. You want a VPN with the best encryption, all the major protocols, a high number of servers and countries, OpenVPN support and anti-malware features, all for a minimal price. Now, a low cost doesn’t mean you want a free VPN.
Free VPN clients are inefficient, slow, and they not only keep logs of your data but sell them around the web looking for profit. They have to make money somehow, right? They often have data caps and involve several more issues.
You would be better served with a paid, custom VPN app. Now, of course, you would prefer to spend less than $15 per month. The standard price is between $8 and $12, on average, so anything below that is considered valuable, provided the service is good enough. Private Internet Access (PIA) fills the last criteria, with a monthly plan for $6.95.
TorGuard: premier encryption
If there is one VPN that fulfill most, if not all, the whole criteria, it is TorGuard. American-based, it is the highest standard of the industry when it comes to encryption and security. It offers other services, too, such as a privacy bundle, anonymous email, and proxy.
With TorGuard, users have access to the content of 55 countries, a perfect scenario for online streaming and unblocking sites from numerous locations. For just $10 per month, you can connect five simultaneous devices and access all the most relevant protocols in the market.
In conclusion, there are hundreds of VPN brands around the web, but you should look for one with a strict no logging policy, numerous servers, anti-malware and spyware features, a low price, anonymous DNS servers, integrated kill switch, OpenVPN, and mobile apps and router support.
