BEST OF THE REST
Cyberghost www.cyberghostvpn.com
Cyberghost is simple to use, will unblock US Netflix and lets you connect up to seven devices simultaneously. With 1,800 servers across 30 countries, it offers fast connections. Monthly pricing is quite high, but there’s a decent discount if you pay annually.
Expressvpn www.expressvpn.com
Does a great job of getting you connected in no time. Its privacy policy is clear and explains that no personal logs are kept. Only three devices can be connected simultaneously, though, and we’d like to see a bigger discount when paying annually.
PUREVPN www.purevpn.com
With servers in 140 countries, it offers plenty of connection options, and it’s cheap. Our one concern is its privacy policy, which seems to contradict itself. While stating that it doesn’t keep connection logs, it goes on to explain what information it includes in its connection logs.
Now that you’ve got a VPN up and running, it’s time to put it to good use and make sure everything is working properly. Remember, if you connect to a VPN server in a different country, you’ll see versions of websites intended for the local audience. If you want to revert to seeing the BBC’S UK website, for example, you’ll need to switch back to a VPN server in the UK.
Connect to Wi-fi hotspots safely
Using free Wi-fi hotspots is convenient, but they are notoriously unsecure. If
you’re unlucky enough to have a hacker connected to the same hotspot, you could end up becoming the victim of a cyber-attack. By activating your VPN as soon as you connect, any data you transfer will be encrypted so you can make use of free Wi-fi without risk.
Use VPNS to save money
It’s not uncommon for companies to set prices based on where you’re located (particularly for holidays, flights and car rentals), which can mean customers in the UK paying more when purchasing online. With a VPN, you can now find out
the price differences for yourself.
Simply choose another country and reload the website you’re buying from. If the price drops significantly and you’re tempted to take advantage, it’s a good idea to check the terms and conditions before buying - some sites prohibit buying through a VPN and may cancel your purchase or invalidate a warranty.
Beat ISP speed restrictions
ISPS will sometimes slow down connections to certain sites - particularly those that stream video or transfer large amounts of data. If your VPN is running, your ISP won’t be able to tell which sites you’re visiting, and therefore won’t be able to apply those speed restrictions.
Activate the kill switch
If your VPN fails, your internet connection will revert to using the IP address given to you by your ISP, removing your cloak of anonymity. Using a tool called a kill switch, you can ensure you’ll only be connected to the internet through your chosen VPN. Most major VPNS include a kill switch, but it’s often disabled by default so you’ll need to switch it on in the settings (see Nordvpn’s in our screenshot on page 55). Should your VPN fail, the kill switch will protect your privacy by stopping all internet activity. When your VPN connection is re-established, your internet connection will be restored.
Use your VPN on a phone and tablet
All good VPNS have IOS and Android apps. As mentioned earlier, your VPN will limit the number of devices you can connect to a VPN at any given time, so be sure to choose one that can cater for all the devices you want to use.
To make sure your VPN is active, look for the ‘VPN’ icon at the top of your tablet or phone screen (IOS, see screenshot left) or a key symbol (Android). If you try to connect two devices to the same VPN server, you’ll probably experience a drop in speed. However, this is only likely to happen if you specifically tell your devices to use the same server. Instead, let the software choose a server in any given country, because it should ensure all your devices connect to different servers.
Is your VPN leaking?
When using a VPN, it’s a good idea to periodically check your actual IP address isn’t being revealed (or ‘leaked’). First, disconnect your VPN and go to www. doileak.com. This site runs tools to determine how your VPN is performing. Click the ‘Start test’ button. When the results appear, note down the Request IP address at the top (see screenshot above) and the two DNS Request Source servers a little further down the page - these details are assigned to you by your ISP.
Now connect to your chosen VPN and run the test again. If any of the results match the IP address and DNS servers you noted down in the first test, your VPN isn’t doing its job. If this happens, you should contact your VPN for assistance or choose a different VPN provider (we’d recommend the latter).