Big Tech is spying on us. It's a creepy realization that somehow escaped our notice until we started noticing ads following us around the internet. The fact of the matter is that this has been going on for years. For who knows how long, Google has been using Gmail to track a history of things we buy on the internet, Facebook has been sharing user data with tech firms like Amazon, and even our Internet Service Provider has been selling our data off to the highest bidder.
Unfortunately, it's only going to get worse with the proliferation of smart tech along with artificial intelligence. For example, Amazon Echo and the Alexa voice assistant know exactly what you're searching for, listening to, where you're going on your next holiday, and what flight you'll be on. Creepy, right? Wait until you hear accounts of these voice assistants "waking up" on their own and sharing messages and information with other users!
That's not the only threat, though. Unsafe browsing opens up a cybercrime can of worms: identity theft, phishing scams, and hackers lying in wait to steal your data, hijack your devices, and drain your bank accounts. This is why it is terribly important to develop safe and smart web browsing habits, starting with the following practices:
Sounds like a lot to remember? No worries! This is why you need a VPN. Designed to promote online privacy and anonymity, a VPN allows you to connect to the internet via an encrypted tunnel that scrambles your data and renders it unreadable. If cyber thieves get a hold of your data for some reason, all they'll see is random gibberish. A good VPN protects you against online snooping and other interference.
They do not retain logs of any kind, and you can verify this by checking public court records. Their privacy policy also clearly states that they don't share, sell, rent, or trade user's personal data with third parties. What's more, PIA is one of the very few completely open-sourced VPNs, so it's available for the public to verify. This dedication to transparency and privacy is what makes Private Internet Access a standout in its field.
In terms of security, PIA also has a solid front with military-grade encryption technology and industry-standard protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, IPSec, L2TP, and SOCKS5 (Proxy). There's also a DNS leak, IP leak protection, an ad blocker, and the all-important kill switch feature. You also get an Identity Guard system for free! This bonus add-on sends an alert if your email address shows up in a network breach. The cherry on top of all these? You can choose your desired level of encryption and customize PIA's in-app security features according to your individual needs and preferences!
During our testing, speed was also never an issue, and we were able to browse and enjoy a few rounds of Battle Royale without any hiccup. Private Internet Access allows simultaneous connections of up to 10 devices, that's more than double what other VPNs usually allow! All in all, PIA is turning out to be one of the best all-rounders on our list.
There's hardly anything to complain about this VPN service. It's crammed with advanced security features, has a user-friendly interface, and simultaneous connections for up to 10 devices. It runs on practically every device, with an impressive performance at a reasonable price. PIA is currently on sale. Get a 78% discount when you buy via our link.
Get Private Internet Access - Protect Your Privacy!
This leading VPN has a whopping 7,000 servers in over 90 countries worldwide, with a massive chunk in the U.S., the U.K., the European Union, and Asia. It supports simultaneous connections for up to seven devices and works on just about any platform: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Sticks, and more.
Cyberghost offers fast speeds and unlimited traffic and bandwidth, making it ideal for online activities like gaming and video conferencing. They don't lack anything in the security department, too, with a strict "zero logs" policy, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and automatic kill switch. In addition, Cyberghost subscribers can now take advantage of the new WireGuard® protocol, which is deemed faster and less resource-intensive than other VPN protocols.
CyberGhost's offering is mega strong - with a massive server network, split tunneling and app protection, ad, tracking, and malware blocker, and unlimited bandwidth. The security measures are top-notch, and the optional extras are incredible. There's a free secret photo vault and NoSpy servers and paid add-ons like dedicated IPs and password manager. Overall, Cyberghost is an excellent choice for gamers, remote workers, and pretty much anyone in between.
Get Cyberghost VPN - Protect Your Privacy!
Many first-time buyers have no idea what to look for in a VPN, making the entire buying experience confusing. With tons of VPN vendors to choose from, how do you decide which one is the best for your needs? Thankfully, our experts have tested dozens of VPN services on your behalf. Before making it into our carefully curated recommendations, a brand has to have the following features/capabilities:
Is our list missing some familiar VPN brands? We look at several factors when evaluating a VPN: jurisdiction, privacy policy, speed, security, server network, price, and money-back guarantee. However, even if a VPN meets all these requirements, we'll drop it if it has a shady reputation, invasive data logging policy, or a history of security breach or data misuse.
Brand Name | Price | Trustpilot Rating | Speed | Security | # Of Countries | Money Back Guarantee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TotalVPN | $1.59 | 4.7 | Excellent | Excellent | 78 | 30 Days |
Private Internet Access | $2.19 | 4.4 | Excellent | Excellent | 78 | 30 Days |
Cyberghost VPN | $2.19 | 4.8 | Excellent | Excellent | 91 | 45 Days |
If you're using a Mac, would your internet connection be faster than someone using a Windows computer? Can your Mac computer deter your ISP from selling your data to advertisers and other third-party bidders? Will that stop trackers from following your every move on the internet? Nope. At the end of the day, if you value privacy and a smooth browsing experience, then using a VPN is a must.
Unfortunately, Windows computers are prone to security issues. In 2019 alone, AV Test's security report revealed that 78.64 percent of 114 million new malicious programs were distributed on Windows systems. Microsoft Windows also happens to be the most widely used computer operating system in the world. This is why cybercriminals tend to target it more than any other operating system. Following the supply and demand logic, there's just more to hack with Microsoft users.
Yes! We're spending more and more time on our mobile devices, transferring money, shopping for new clothes, getting groceries delivered, playing games, and more. Every day, we share tons of information, from emails containing sensitive data, photos on our social media accounts to credit card details when shopping online. It only makes sense to protect your phone from online snoops just as you would your laptop and desktop computers.