The first line of defence
If privacy and security matters to you when using the internet, then getting high-end encryption is key, writes David Court.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer a quick and easy way to add an extra layer of privacy when using the internet. Below, I’ve detailed some things to look out for when buying a VPN and also listed five of the best providers you can use this year.
Note that all the VPNs featured below offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if there’s something you don’t like about a service, you can ask for your money back and try another, risk-free.
Try to picture a VPN as a virtual tunnel that encrypts and reroutes your internet traffic to a location (server) of your choice.
The benefits of using a VPN
A VPN is a great tool to have if you’re serious about protecting your online privacy. This is because all VPNs offer something called end-to-end encryption, meaning your data is encrypted from device-to-destination (laptop-to-website) and the same on the journey back to your device.
This may seem like a pretty simple feature, but it’s only made possible by VPN providers that have invested in a global network of servers.
The benefit it brings is total privacy from internet service providers (ISP), governments, or even malicious users on a shared network (think free wi-fi in a cafe) as your data is encrypted from ‘‘endto-end’’.
VPNs also offer the benefit of allowing users to virtually spoof their location, making VPNs popular with frequent travellers (pre-Covid) who want to use their home country’s version of the web, and also people who want to access different countries’ streaming libraries (Netflix).
How do VPNs work?
A VPN is a combination of high-end encryption and a network of servers. Users can access this network by installing a small piece of software that encrypts all their device’s data.
Packets of encrypted data are then sent to a VPN server, in a location of the user’s choice. When the encrypted data reaches the VPN server, it is deciphered and relayed to the server’s local ISP.
The data that is returned from the server’s local ISP is encrypted again and sent back to the user where the process is reversed.
If this all sounds confusing, try to picture a VPN as a virtual tunnel that encrypts and reroutes your internet traffic to a location (server) of your choice.
Five Eyes
For (even more) privacy, it’s recommended to choose a VPN with an HQ based outside of the Five Eyes (FVEY) intelligence alliance. That’s Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States, by the way.
The logic here is solid enough. VPN companies that operate from inside an FVEY country could theoretically be subpoenaed and forced to hand over all their user data at the request of the government.
No logs
Which is also why it is recommended to choose a VPN that has a rock-solid ‘‘no logs’’ policy. Unfortunately, this is also where things get a bit murky as it’s hard to check if a VPN’s advertised ‘‘no logs’’ policy is true or not.
So try to look for a VPN that has instructed a trusted third-party to audit its infrastructure.
Connection type
There are multiple VPN connection types. I’d advise buying a VPN that offers OpenVPN and IKeV2, as these are fast and secure. It’s a good idea to pick a VPN that also provides the older PPTP and SSTP connections too, as this gives you a greater level of flexibility should you want to set up something a bit more personalised for your needs.
The 5 Best VPNs of this year
ExpressVPN
■ Servers: 3000+
■ Cities: 160+
■ Countries: 94+
■ Devices supported: 5
■ 24/7 support: Yes
■ 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
■ 12 months: US$6.67/mth
■ 6 months: US$9.99/mth
■ 1 month: US$12.95/mth
There’s a reason this is the most expensive VPN on the market. It’s also the best. ExpressVPN boasts thousands of servers, in desired locations, around the world. And importantly, its servers are fast and reliable.
ExpressVPN has opened its RAMbased infrastructure – which means data is never stored – to third-party auditors, Cure53 and PwC, to verify its privacy and no-logs claims.
Its headquarters are also purposefully based outside of FVEY, meaning it can’t be forced to share any user information with surveillance agencies.
NordVPN
■ Servers: 5400+
■ Cities: 80+
■ Countries: 59+
■ Devices supported: 6
■ 24/7 support: Yes
■ 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
■ 2 years: US$3.71/mth
■ 6 months: US$9/mth
■ 1 month: US$11.95/mth
If you want to spend a little bit less, NordVPN comes in a close second. Like ExpressVPN, it also has a great reputation in the industry as being one of the fastest and most stable VPN providers.
NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN (not an FVEY country) and states in its privacy policy that the only data it collects is a username’s session time. And this is deleted within 15 minutes.
Like all good VPNs, the NordVPN app is available on all mainstream app stores and devices, and is simple to operate.
Private Internet Access
■ Servers: 2500+
■ Cities: 65+
■ Countries: 45+
■ Devices supported: 6
■ 24/7 support: Yes
■ 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
■ 2 years: US$2.69/mth
■ 1 year: US$3.33/mth
■ 1 month: US$9.95/mth
This is the best option for those looking for a quality low-cost VPN. Private Internet Access (often referred to as PIA), like ExpressVPN, has had its privacy claims audited and confirmed by cybersecurity firm Cure53.
The British Virgin Islands-based VPN offers a generous 10 simultaneous-device limit, meaning you can probably share it with a friend or two and still enjoy always-on VPN protection on your main devices.
Elsewhere, its app is clean and simple to use, and offers the latest connections technology, including the new WireGuard communication protocol.
SurfShark
■ Servers: 1700+
■ Cities: 10+
■ Countries: 63+
■ Devices supported: Unlimited
■ 24/7 support: Yes
■ 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
■ 12 months: US$2.49/mth
■ 6 months: US$6.49/mth
■ 1 month: US$12.95/mth
There are two reasons that SurfShark should appeal to you. Firstly, the price and secondly, unlimited devices. If you’re serious about your privacy and you want an always-on VPN, this is a big deal – especially if you intend sharing your VPN connections with close friends and family members.
Elsewhere, SurfShark ticks all the boxes that will appeal to the majority of people.
OpenVPN UDP and TCP, IKEv2 security protocols, AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and British Virgin Islands HQ.
Like most high-end VPNs, the SurfShark app is easy-to-use, and the transfer speeds are fine (most of the time).
CyberGhost
■ Servers: 6300+
■ Cities: 110+
■ Countries: 90+
■ Devices supported: 7
■ 24/7 support: Yes
■ 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
■ 1 year: US$2.75/mth
■ 6 months: US$7.99/mth
■ 1 month: US$12.99/mth
As you’ve probably discovered by now, most high-end VPNs have similar feature sets, making it hard for them to stand out in a crowded market. CyberGhost suffers as a result of this, with its most noticeable unique feature being the 45-day, rather than industry-standard 30-day, trial period.
Everything else here is pretty standard. But in a good way: non-FVEY HQ, well-designed, good transfer speeds, solid privacy features, and a sensible pricing structure.
Information about prices and availability was correct as provided at the time of writing.