The evolution in technology has brought about a lot of possibilities that we would have never thought about. Today, we can do almost anything online, thanks to the internet.
In as much as the internet is a very useful tool, the truth of the matter is that you need to be very cautious. There is an influx in the number of hackers on the World Wide Web whose primary intention is to get hold of some personal information and use it to sabotage you or people close to you.
The good news, however, is that there are measures you can take to stay safe while browsing — the use of VPN being one of them.
What is a VPN?
By now, if you have interacted with the internet space, you most definitely have heard about VPN. Yes, there have been a lot of myths and misconceptions revolving around the VPN innovation which has made a lot of people skeptical about using this network. However, the fact remains that VPN networks are a great way to stay safe on the internet as it hides your IP address, which in turn makes it hard for anyone to trace you.
What then is a VPN? A virtual private network, otherwise known as a VPN is a service that allows you to create a secure internet connection to another network over the internet. It connects users to a public network enabling them to share and receive data.
Today, there is an outburst of VPN service providers; more reason you need to do in-depth research before choosing any service provider. Remember, due to the increase in the inclination of the use of VPN, there has also been a rise in the number of scam VPN service providers too.
You do not want to fall victim to such scam sites and end up regretting your decision. Below are a few factors to consider before choosing a VPN service provider.
How to choose a VPN service provider
The first thing you want to do is to ask for references as well as read trustworthy VPN reviews on various sites. After finding one with a good reputation, then you can go ahead and confirm if they meet the following requirements;
- Encryption
A secure connection is one of the reasons why we opt for a VPN connection hence the need to find out the VPN protocol and encryption used by the service provider. Encryption is crucial as it creates a secure channel for the data to be transmitted from your mobile device to the VPN servers. It is recommended to go open VPN protocol as it is considered as one of the safest VPN’s. Also, when shopping for a VPN, go for 256-bit-AES encryption.
- Number of servers
When it comes to the number of the VPN servers, the rule of thumb is — the more, the better. The more servers the VPN network has in different geographical locations enable you to bypass any site restrictions and get to access services that you would have otherwise not been able to access while using the typical networks.
- Speed
When choosing a VPN, choose one that has fast speeds for either downloading or uploading. A network that buffers not only wastes your time but also makes your whole browsing experience dreadful. A good VPN has high speeds and enables you to surf without necessarily having to experience ridiculous buffering.
- Compatibility
Checking for compatibility of the VPN to your device is rather obvious. Before purchasing any VPN, ensure that it is compatible with the devices you intend to use them with. In as much as most VPNs today are compatible with almost all mobile devices, it is best to be sure before making your purchase.
- Price
Cheap is expensive, and there is no exception when purchasing a VPN either. As such, never opt for a free VPN as you might putting your privacy at stake in the name of saving some coins. Choose a VPN that is within your budget and meets your requirements.
When deciding on a VPN to purchase, never make a mistake on basing your decision entirely on price. Instead, consider the price alongside the features. Remember, the more the features, the more costly it might be.
The good thing, however, is that most VPN service providers offer reasonable price lists and have payment plans too; for example, you can choose to pay yearly or even monthly. It all depends on the agreement.
Conclusion
What stands out when discussing about VPN is the fact that it is one of the safest networks? Besides the safety bit, VPN also allows you to leave comments anonymously, speeds up your internet connection and allows you to access blocked content.
