Picking out a virtual private network (VPN) can be a very smart move to protect your online data and browsing sessions. Selecting the right one for your needs can be a daunting task, however.
VPNs are well known for providing encryption and data security measures that individuals and companies require. The fact that there are many VPNs on the market today can be a gift and a curse. To pick out the best VPN for your needs, you will need to determine what your VPN needs are, and search for the VPN that fits those needs. Below are a few tips that should help you in making the most informed VPN decision possible.
1. Free Trial Periods
A very good way to determine which VPN is for you is to find out the free trial period lengths offered by the VPNs that you are considering. Typically, the free trial period is a set length of time when you’re able to use all or most of a VPN’s features and not be charged. This period also applies to situations in which you can access a VPN’s features and still received a full refund if it doesn’t meet your data security needs. Either way, it’s a valuable period, as it allows you a free opportunity to test out a VPN’s capabilities before making a final decision about purchasing its services.
ZDNet plainly remarks that you test out all of a VPN’s functions and ensure that it fits your online and data requirements and preferences. Testing out a VPN during its free trial period is a crucial way to evaluate its capabilities and to compare it to other VPNs that you are considering. Additionally, you should strongly consider the VPN providers who offer long enough free trial periods to fully experiment with their features and benefits.
2. Your Use of a VPN
Another important factor to consider is what your exact plans for the VPN consist of. Will only one device need to connect to this VPN, or will you need a VPN that provides for more than one connection at the same time? If you want to play video games online, then you will need a highly-efficient, high-speed VPN with unlimited bandwidth capabilities. A person who travels very often will need a versatile VPN that can add high-levels of security to public Wi-Fi areas around the world.
According to vpnAlert, you should make a list of essential and non-essential VPN features. Using these lists will allow you to get a clearer picture of the right VPN for you.
3. Data Collection
One quality that you should carefully look for is how the VPNs that you are considering treat data. You should look through the privacy policy of each VPN service that you are considering, and determine if they allow or disallow the collection of user data. You want to see a clear statement in the privacy policy that the VPN company does not collect user connection data. If you do not see such a plain statement, then your data is likely being collected. Collected data can wind up in the hands of third parties and governments in the event of litigation or of a political action affect data collection and retrieval.
Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) points out that VPN service which refuses to collect user data cannot sell or give away that data to third parties or governmental agencies. Despite declarations of not logging connection data, you should not just take a VPN company’s word without double-checking its validity. Do research, check if a VPN provider was caught falsifying data collection information or otherwise misleading its customers about its data practices.
4. Secure Communication Protocols
Data security variety largely comes from the type of security protocol used by each VPN. Modern-day VPNs have moved past Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), usually working with OpenVPN or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol/Internet Protocol security (L2TP/IPsec). While OpenVPN is usually the best choice, it is not compatible with many kinds of smartphones or tablets. To cover your bases, it may
be best to pick a VPN that offers both security protocols.
Conclusion
VPNs can handle all of your online data security needs if you diligently research the VPN providers and know what you are looking for. Look for VPNs that offer the longest free trial periods to test out their products. Create lists of why you do and do not need VPNs. Check the privacy policies of the VPNs you are considering. Lastly, pick a VPN with the latest security communication protocol.
