A VPN or virtual private network, is designed to help increase security when browsing the internet, by disguising the user’s data and hiding location information from anyone who may seek to exploit the user when they are online. A VPN encrypts data in real time between the user’s device and the internet. This creates a safer and more secure environment, which is less likely to be hacked or the data exploited.
Good VPNs will also have less of an impact when it comes to slowing down the internet loading speed of the user, as many free and substandard VPNs will affect internet speed as it requires increased bandwidth to load up on the device. The best VPN providers like Surfshark and others, will have minimal to no impact on internet speed and will allow you to use their service from almost any country in the world, whilst keeping you and your data safe.
Which Features Should a Good VPN Offer?
A decent VPN should optimise a user’s security no matter what they are trying to access. VPN stands for virtual private network, and as such should maintain security and anonymity at all times. Under no circumstances should the provider store data from a user unless this has been agreed in advance, and then they should typically only keep records of sites which have been accessed.
The main purpose of a VPN is to encrypt web traffic after rerouting a connection through a VPN server to hide sensitive data or information. This is a basic prerequisite that should be offered by all VPN providers regardless of how much they cost.
Good VPN providers may also offer a trial of their services to allow users to make their own assessments about the benefits of a VPN. If a provider seems unable to offer a trial, it is possible to contact them and see if they will offer one in the hope that an individual becomes a customer afterwards.
Good VPN providers should also offer the user the opportunity to have a VPN kill switch installed automatically. A kill switch is a device which can cut the user’s connection to the internet if there is ever a problem with the VPN. This would typically leave users vulnerable with their data exposed online, in spite of paying for a fully functioning VPN to be in place The user would also probably be unable to tell that their connection was not being rerouted through a VPN server, meaning that they would continue to access the internet in the same way as they normally would.
A kill switch therefore offers complete protection by prohibiting access when the VPN is not working. It will be activated automatically and should be automatically turned off when the VPN is working again.
A concern many people have is whether a VPN will slow down their internet connection, affecting their ability to upload, download, stream and work online. Some VPNs will slow down your internet connection, as all VPNs need some bandwidth to carry out their functions. However, the best VPNs available, are less likely to have any noticeable affect on your internet speed as they have inbuilt features to reduce the burden they place on internet loading times.
What Should a VPN Not Do?
VPNs should be secure and never share information with third parties or other organisations without the users’ knowledge. Some VPN providers have been known to sell data to attackers, meaning users have lost access to their online accounts. Consequently, it is crucial to choose a reliable VPN provider with a decent reputation.
VPNs should also alert all of their customers if there has been a breach in security. Users should be aware of any time that their data could be at risk of being shared due to a faulty VPN. If a provider has made users aware that there is a kill switch in place in case of any technical issues with the VPN, they will unlikely let their customers know that the switch has been activated. Instead, users should check their internet connection and wait until the VPN is back up and running.
VPNs should also not reduce the time it takes to access the internet. Some providers will offer faster service than others, so it is important to check which VPN providers offer the fastest service. If a VPN drastically slows down the time it takes to access files, documents or the internet, it is probably not the best one to choose long term. If there is an issue surrounding the VPN reducing the internet speed, it is best to contact the provider to see if this is an issue which can be resolved. If this is not the case, an individual may be entitled to change their provider to resolve the issue.
How To Choose a VPN Provider
Choosing a VPN provider will involve the user assessing the quality of the VPN itself. The best way for a user who doesn’t have knowledge of cryptography to assess a VPN provider is to read through the reviews. These should be available online and if users have been honest about the service they have received, it should be easy to reach a conclusion as to whether the provider is legitimate.
In addition to this, many VPN providers will offer a free trial of their service in advance of taking out an agreement. Users are advised to take the free trial where available to ensure that the provider offers everything which it claims to.
If a user has knowledge of cryptography, they should also be able to assess the security offered by a VPN provider. Whilst most VPNs claim they encrypt all data, the average user will not know whether or not this is true and pay for the service regardless. IT professionals should be able to assess whether or not a VPN offers the maximum level of protection, and so larger organisations will typically hire a professional before agreeing to use a single VPN.
It is also important to check the price of a VPN. Some providers will offer the same services at very different prices, whist the most basic ones can be free. Check which features of a VPN are required in advance of choosing one and assess which provider offers them for the best price.
