Deciding on a VPN to aid privacy can be a myriad of decisions. With so many options available, what should you look for when making a decision. This post aims to help.
Encryption Protocols
When choosing a private VPN, you’ll frequently run across such terms as PPTP, L2TO/IPSec, SSTP, IKEv2, OpenVPN and other types of VPNs. There are many protocols that can be utilized as a VPN to ensure the security of online activities.
Various protocols have their own specific pros and cons. PPTP, for example, is frequently avoided due to security vulnerabilities. However, technicalities set aside, it can be suggested that the two most utilized options for VPN security are OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec. These are what you should be aiming for when you’re considering a VPN protocol.
Open VPN
This is by and far considered to be the best protocol in order to achieve high levels of security. It’s based on an opensourced audit. OpenVPN can be run on nearly any port. This makes it difficult to block it and tell it from standard web traffic if anyone is snooping for any VPN traffic. Always ensure that your VPN provider will support this particular protocol as it’s considered to be the best when it comes to balance, security, and speed.
L2TP/IPSec
This is considered the second best after OpenVPN. L2TP/IPSec is a great alternative to the former thanks to the fact that it’s compatible with mobile devices including the iPad, the iPhone, and Androids. Sadly, the only drawback is that it doesn’t have the same speed as the former protocol of OpenVPN.
Servers
When choosing a VPN service, strive for a provider that will offer a wide array of servers across the globe to aid in eases of access for websites that are regionally blocked. Servers are vital to VPN users as they use different IP addresses so that if one is restricted you can move on to another.
Logging
Regardless of whether or not it’s for personal or corporate use, the main function of the VPN is to protect online security and privacy of communication. If the VPN provider keeps logs of activities, this is a huge “No-no”. Especially if the logs are given to the government or grant specific accesses to users’ information.
It’s vital that VPN providers maintain no log policies for all user activity that could sell or share any data. If they’re not logging the data, they’ll have no details that could be handed over to anyone, including law enforcement.
One of the largest reservations is that when you pay for a VPN service, you can often find one for free.
Nothing is free in life so why should this be? Remember, while free is always great, there is also a reason that something is free. If you want to ensure that you’re personal data is protected, you may wish to consider the fact that you get what you pay for.
Payment
Always select a VPN provider that will accept a variety of different payment options including Bitcoin, Paypal, credit cards, debit cards, Coin payment and so on. If you’re using VPNs for torrenting, then Bitcoin can be a good option for privacy – here is the torrenting VPNs ranking.
Bandwidth Limits
The term “bandwidth” is in reference to the amount of data per unit that your transmission can handle. This is usually measured out in Mbps which is a measurement of bandwidth data that can transfer. Consider a short video vs a long video and you get the idea. Some are simply faster loading than others.
Of course, you may be happy to use your VPN to stream movies, download music or use them to move pictures around. Keep in mind if you’re using a VPN that imposes restrictions and throttles your bandwidth speed, it’s really going to be annoying to watch said movie, stream music or upload and download pictures to and from your various devices such as a smartphone, tablet, computer and so on. All in all, you really do get what you pay for. It will help to understand your options.