VPN Group Test
Virtual private networks protect you from hackers and are a great tool for working remotely. We put five market leaders to the test.
Protect your privacy with a virtual private network — our top picks
THE NEXT TIME you’re tempted to log onto your email from a public Wi–Fi network, you might want to wait. Could anyone be “listening in?” To ensure that you are truly safe, you should be using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN allows you to send and receive data across the internet while hiding personally identifiable information like your location and device. All traffic is rerouted through the VPN server before it comes to your device, and is encrypted. So while you won’t see much difference when surfing, behind the scenes there’s a bit of magic going on to protect your privacy.
When using a VPN, your browsing history is hidden from hackers and your internet service provider (ISP). This also means you’re less likely to get hacked or spoofed when surfing on public Wi–Fi networks. VPNs are also a great tool for accessing a company’s intranet from an out–of–office location, giving employees the ability to work remotely with ease.
VPNs are also handy when you’re travelling abroad. Whether you are holidaying in France, Japan or the United Kingdom, you can use a VPN by connecting to a VPN server in the US. Not all countries are so keen on VPNs, though. In some countries, such as Belarus, using a VPN is illegal, while Russia and China only allow certain pre–approved VPN services.
There are free VPNs but they come with major caveats. Free VPN services can limit the speed and quality of your connection, and spam you with lots of ads. You’re better off paying for a high–quality VPN that offers an ad–free service while robustly protecting your data.