Don't let it go to your head, but everybody wants you —?more specifically, your browsing data. Personal information about the links you click on and the sites you visit is highly valuable to third parties, including your internet service provider (ISP) and Google, who may want to share or monetize it. Certain government and law enforcement agencies are also eager to peek at your activity online for their own surveillance purposes, as horny Texans learned earlier this year.
One way to reclaim some of your digital privacy is by getting a virtual private network, or VPN, a service that creates an encrypted connection between your device and one of the VPN provider's private, remote servers before spitting it out onto the open web. In plain English, that means you can browse the internet without being tracked.
Why do you need a VPN?
Even the best VPNs can't make you totally anonymous on the web —?the providers themselves can still see what you're doing while you're using their servers. But they can secure your data and hide your true IP address from prying eyes on the outside. Likewise, a "no-log VPN" promises not to collect or log any information about your activity. (To ensure your data stays safe, we follow a lengthy testing protocol before recommending a VPN.)
While not its primary purpose, a VPN's ability to conceal your real IP address also makes it useful for spoofing your location. This will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions on content that's not available in your country or region. If you're someone in the U.S. who wants access to a streaming service like BBC iPlayer or ITVX, for example, a VPN can make it happen.
What is the No. 1 best VPN?
Deciding which VPN to trust with your privacy and your money can be tough, especially if you're not familiar with the technology, which is why we're testing and re-testing a slew of popular VPN services. As of mid-2024, we believe TunnelBear is the best free VPN we've tried so far and NordVPN is the best premium VPN we've used. Read on to learn more about them (and a couple of alternatives).
Note: Prices for most VPN providers' long-term plans change frequently. The rates below were accurate at the time of publication.
NordVPN
Best For Security
- Monthly: ?10.39/month
- One-year plan: ?3.99/month
- Two-year plan: ?3.19/month
NordVPN is one of the most comprehensive VPNs out there, and it's difficult to find anything to complain about. It did experience a data leak a few years ago, but that's about it.
Users get access to a diverse network of servers, advanced security features, and powerful encryption. Plus, connection speeds are solid and it's really easy to use.?
If you are looking to stream the NBA and protect your data and identity, NordVPN is a solid choice.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Design
- Monthly: ?10.89/month
- Six-month plan: ?6.19/month
- Two-year plan: ?1.92/month
The situation is slowly changing for the better, but there are still a lot of VPNs that have outdated and clunky interfaces. CyberGhost VPN is not one of these services. It is easy to use, attractive, and intuitive.
CyberGhost VPN's connection speeds can sometimes be a poor, but its sever network is large and diverse. This means that if you're struggling for speed, you should be able to switch to something better in no time.
CyberGhost VPN also has a strong and clear privacy policy, so you know exactly what's happening with your data.
TunnelBear
Best For Free
- Monthly: ?7.78/month
- One-year plan: ?3.89/month
- Three-year plan: ?2.59/month
TunnelBear has always stood out from other VPNs thanks to its cute, almost childlike interface that makes it welcoming to people not used to VPNs. That continues to be reflected in its free Chrome extension.
In exchange for an email address (you can always use a throwaway one), you get 500MB of data a month. That's not much, but it's good for brief browsing sessions. Taking seconds to install, the TunnelBear Chrome VPN extension encrypts your browsing activity and allows you to choose what country you wish to appear you're from.
You'll burn through that data if you do anything like streaming via Netflix, so it's not recommended for that. However, you can upgrade your service to the full subscription plan, which gives you unlimited bandwidth.
Recommended For You
-
The best VPN for live streaming the NBAWe've lined up all the best VPNs for streaming professional basketball from anywhere in the world, including popular services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN. -
The best VPN for ChromeWhatever your reason for using a VPN, it's important to pick the right service for your needs. -
The best VPN for live streaming the NFLWe've tracked down all the best VPNs for streaming American football from anywhere in the world, including the likes of ExpressVPN and Surfshark. -
How to unblock and watch Max from anywhere in the worldBypass geo-restrictions to secure access to your favourite streaming site. -
The best VPN in October 2024We've put together a definitive list of the top VPNs this month, with the best deals on popular services like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost VPN.
Trending on Mashable
-
Here's What You Can Expect From The MSA Awards & Festival 2024 Happening This WeekThe event will feature well-known personalities such as Khairy Jamaludin, Shahril Hamdan, and Khairul Aming. -
Samsung's Latest Flip Devices Launched In Paris Are Powered By Galaxy AIThe Galaxy AI in each unique foldable device is a formidable driving force for everyday needs. -
Here's A First Look At Samsung's New Wearables: Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch UltraThe wearables offer innovative health experiences, enhancing everyday wellness with intelligent features. -
Endeavor Wraps Up MatchCAP Asia 2024 With Record-Breaking SuccessFostering deeper connections between entrepreneurs and investors. -
Enjoy More Flexibility With Disney+ Hotstar’s New Monthly & Annual PlansWatch an ever-growing collection of movies and series with lower commitments!