The security of many VPN products has been questioned recently following the compromising of user data and files. For this reason, you need to pay attention to what you look out for when choosing an ideal VPN for your personal and business needs. Whether you are looking to boost your online security or watch content securely online, you must ensure that your VPN choice can encrypt your personal details 24/7. Don’t be in a hurry to jump on the next newly released VPN because you don’t know how effective they are.
1. A Free VPN Is Not Free
If you are used to going for a free VPN, the chances are that you will get into more trouble. All VPN makers must find means of recouping their costs. Some free VPN makers will include ads on their products, and some will sell user information to third parties, and this is where you stand a huge risk of data loss or infiltration. For peace of mind, you should go for a reliable product like surfshark vpn that does not give out your information to third parties without your consent. Also, a free VPN will likely give you a much slower connection speed and much fewer features.
2. All VPN Reviews Are Not Independent
When you search online for a VPN, you will likely see many reviews and product comparisons that may motivate you to choose one. Unfortunately, many of the reviews you see below the VPN products are paid for, while some are independent. It can be challenging to identify which reviews are non-biased and the genuine ones; perhaps you should trust the very critical ones of a VPN more than those that heap praises on a product only.
2. Look For The VPN’s Privacy Policy
Most VPN manufacturers will claim that they don’t keep logs- you should not fall for this. Most VPN manufacturers will keep your connection logs to improve their services. Though you can keep your browser history safe from the internet, your VPN manufacturers will still be able to see the sites you visited and use that for suitable direct ads. Try as much as possible to verify all claims made by your VPN service provider and read their privacy policies before you decide.
3. Check Your VPN Service Provider’s Home Country
Many VPN users don’t bother about their manufacturer’s home country, but in reality, there are specific country laws that empower such manufacturers to gather user information. Some countries will require the VPN to record, store and provide user data to government authorities without the VPN users’ knowledge. These laws will compromise your privacy since there are no laws prohibiting the collection and handling of user information; hence it can be risky to use VPNs from certain countries.
4. VPN Manufacturer Servers Might Be At Risk
VPN manufacturers operate by renting lots of servers worldwide, especially if they offer you diverse servers from different countries. This is an excellent risk for VPN users since these manufacturers don’t wholly control their server networks. As a VPN user, you must consider the country you intend to use and don’t just join any location. The fewer servers used by the manufacturer, the fewer risks you face.
5. Check System Compatibility
Many VPN users don’t bother about device compatibility when looking for a VPN. Though most VPNs will support the major systems or platforms like Windows, Android, Mac, Linux, and IOS, some VPNs may be compatible with all these systems.
If you use Windows computers but an IOS smartphone, you need to ensure your VPN is compatible with both; otherwise, you may be unable to connect the VPN to one of the devices. It is equally important to know how many devices you can connect to a VPN at once. While some VPNs may allow up to three devices, others may allow an unlimited number of devices.
6. Go For A VPN That Comes With Money Guaranty
Paid VPN products are always better and safer than free VPNs; that is why you should go for them. You should, however, go for a paid VPN with a moneyback guarantee to avoid getting stuck to the product. You should be able to get out of a VPN deal if you discover that you have chosen the wrong product that doesn’t suit your needs. In addition to offering a moneyback guarantee, the VPN must also refund you within a specified period. This means you shouldn’t be forced to wait until your contract expires before you opt-out of a VPN service.
7. Be Sure Your Preferred Locations Are Covered
Many VPN users also ignore this part of considerations or factors for choosing a VPN. VPNs can only cover as many places they have rented servers. If you plan to access a website in a less populated or relatively less-known country, you may find it hard to see a VPN covering such locations.
8. Go For A VPN With A Friendly User Interface
The user interface and setup for many VPNs can be pretty complicated, so if you are not tech-oriented and don’t want problems, you must go for VPNs with a more straightforward user interface and easy to set up. Some VPNs are pre-set, while some manufacturers offer virtual setup, so you don’t have to do anything.
Conclusion
The question of VPN safety depends on the type of product you go for and the security features included at different layers. VPNs with very few levels of encryption can be unsafe compared to those with multi-level encryptions. Generally, the costlier a VPN is, the more likely it will be safe, while most free VPNs measure on average when it comes to safety. You may want to check independent reviews on the safety of the top VPNs and see where your preferred VPN stands. Generally, You should avoid a VPN with a security rating lower than 4/5, it means the likelihood of being compromised on such a product is very high. Price should be the last factor to consider when choosing the right VPN for your needs.
