Finding the right VPN can be daunting. You might not know where to start or even know what a VPN is in the first place.

So, in this MakerHub post, we will show you what a VPN is, what it’s used for, and why you might want to invest in one. We will also show you three popular VPNs you can buy right now.

What is a VPN?

The term “Virtual Private Network,” or VPN, refers to the possibility of creating a secure network connection when using the internet. VPNs mask your online identity and encrypt your internet traffic. This makes it harder for others to watch what you do online and steal your information. And your data is encrypted. So, your data would be useless even if someone managed to obtain it. You can also get around location detection and access websites restricted in your country or region.

How does a VPN work?

A VPN works by allowing the network to route your IP address through a special setup remote server operated by a VPN host, so the VPN conceals your IP address. In other words, if you use a VPN to browse the internet, the VPN server becomes your data provider. As a result, neither your real Internet Service Provider (ISP) nor other parties can see the websites you visit or the data you send and receive online.

What are the benefits of a VPN?

Below are a few reasons why people use VPNs.

Secure encryption

A VPN connection masks your online data transmission and protects it from prying eyes. Anyone with access to unencrypted data can view it. Hackers and cyber thieves cannot decode this data when you use a VPN.

An encryption key is required to read the data. Without one, it would take a computer millions of years to decrypt the code in the case of a brute force attack (or seconds with a quantum computer, but that’s another issue). Your online actions are disguised with the help of a VPN, even on public networks.

Disguising your whereabouts

VPN servers essentially serve as your internet proxies. Your exact location cannot be determined because the demographic location data is obtained from a server in another country.

Access to regional content

Web content, like streaming services, may not be available from all locations. So, you may be unable to access the content from Netflix or Disney Plus while traveling.

With VPN location spoofing, you can connect to a server in a different country to “spoof” where you are. For example, China is known for having slow internet speeds, so if you live or work there, you need a VPN that can get around censorship and other restrictions.

Secure data transfer

If you work remotely, you may need to access essential files on your company’s network. (This is how we at the MakerHub can securely log into our Baruch servers). This type of information necessitates a secure connection. So, VPNs link to private servers and utilize encryption to reduce the likelihood of data leakage.

How to choose a VPN (10 factors to consider)

The first step in choosing a VPN is figuring out what you need one for.

Streaming support

If streaming is a top priority, look for a VPN that unblocks your favorite services. If you want to watch geographically blocked content, a VPN with a reputation for unlocking content is a priority.

Speed and bandwidth

If you’re planning on streaming movies online, you need a VPN with high speed, reliable connections, and unlimited bandwidth.

No-log policy

A good VPN will explicitly have a no-log policy. A “no log” policy is crucial to keeping your activities private. So if you are a journalist or someone who cares about their privacy and anonymity, you should look for a VPN that doesn’t keep logs and has strong encryption.

Connection limitations

Many VPNs only allow you to connect to a certain number of devices at once. Choose a provider that allows more simultaneous connections or perhaps has no limits if you must protect several mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs, and other pieces of hardware. Look for a VPN that supports multiple simultaneous connections if you need one for your entire household.

Compatibility

Check which devices are compatible. For example, if you have a Windows machine but use an iPhone, you want to ensure your VPN has apps for both.

User-friendly interface

Many VPNs have complicated configurations and user interfaces. Finding a VPN that offers a straightforward, user-friendly platform is crucial if you are not tech-savvy and do not want to configure technical settings.

Customer support

VPNs are constantly changing, and it’s critical that you can readily contact someone who can assist you with any problems you encounter. I prefer live chat VPNs because emails and tickets can take hours, if not days, to answer. Also, look for it ailed and well-written content that will help you in tricky situations.

Price

Of course, there’s the price to consider, though we’d suggest concentrating on functionality first. Then, use price later to prune your list to a final choice.

Stay away from “free options.” Even if you don’t pay for it with money, you’ll be paying for it some other way, whether with ads, unreliable protection, or poor-quality streaming. If the price is an issue, consider using one that offers great discounts and coupons.

Payment method

Payment is always an important consideration when looking for a VPN. Prices differ depending on the VPNs features and if you buy a monthly or annual plan. How you pay is also important. Some VPNs let you pay without giving out personal information.

Money-back guarantee.

Using a money-back guarantee, you can avoid being forced to use a product you do not want.

For instance, if you select a VPN but later decide it is not the best option, it may be difficult to terminate your contract.

Instead, seek a VPN that guarantees a refund of your money within a certain period so that you are not compelled to stick with it until your contract expires.

Three popular VPNs

Below are three of our top choices for VPNs.

ExpressVPN

It’s extremely difficult to stay one step ahead of the VPN pack, but ExpressVPN has what it takes to take the lead. Most people can get all the power and privacy they need thanks to strong core features.

In addition, apps are always getting new, more advanced features. Their smart design makes them very easy to use, and professional engineering makes them reliable.

ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ server total isn’t the highest, but they’re spread across 160 locations over 94 countries.

ExpressVPN’s apps are a standout feature; in addition to supporting Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, they also have apps for Chromebooks, Amazon Fire TV, and Kindle Fire, and simple setup instructions for practically everything else.

It should be noted that an Express subscription-only supports five connections at a time, which is fewer than the majority of other premium providers. However, most subscribers probably only need five.

Security and privacy ExpressVPN has a more complete approach than most competitors. It has tight control over its servers, strong encryption, its own secure and open-source Lightway protocol, and in-depth privacy and security audits by third parties.

ExpressVPN download speeds peaked at an above-average 630Mbps. So, Express is speedy enough for most users.

If you need your VPN to unblock banned websites or bypass streaming hurdles, this is yet another area where ExpressVPN excels. You can unlock content from international Netflix catalogs, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more.

Nord VPN

The service is an obvious choice on this VPN list because it is quick, incredibly powerful, affordable, and goes above and beyond to demonstrate its privacy credentials in every area.

Nord betters ExpressVPN on pure server count, cranking up to 5,000+. It doesn’t cover quite as many countries (60 for NordVPN, 94 for Express), but NordVPN likely has servers in all the regions you’re likely to need. And Nord uses only the most secure protocols with strong AES-256 encryption and is crammed with high-end privacy features.

It allows up to six simultaneous connections, one better than ExpressVPN. In addition, a capable set of apps covers you for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, Android TV, and more. They also have browser extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, and the ability to set up NordVPN on compatible routers lets you use the service with just about anything.

Unfortunately, Nord was the victim of a data breach. However, the company moved into security overdrive after its data breach a few years ago and has since added many privacy-protecting features and technologies. Moreover, you don’t have to take NordVPN’s word on its abilities, either (or even ours), because it brings in PriceWaterhouseCoopers annually and carries out a thorough independent audit of its no-logging policy.

Finally, as part of its “Threat Protection” feature, Nord has just added the ability to check downloads for malware.

TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a relatively affordable VPN with good privacy policies and an easy-to-use interface. TunnelBear may be a good choice if you’re unfamiliar with VPNs and want an easy-to-use service. The TunnelBear app automatically connects to the closest server and can be turned on and off with just a click.

Tunnelbear has over 3,000 servers in 49 countries. A limiting factor is the number of simultaneous connections and the lack of a static IP. TunnelBear limits you to five at any one time, and each time you connect to the network, you’re assigned a different IP address.

Despite its lack of static IP support, TunnelBear offers functionality found in larger (and higher-rated) VPNs, often at a much lower price. For example, if you lose your connection for any reason, a feature called VigilantBear automatically blocks all unsecured traffic until you’re reconnected.

Another feature called GhostBear makes your encrypted data less visible to governments, businesses, and ISPs.

One of TunnelBear’s standout features is its commitment to user privacy. With that said, the company has once disclosed that a customer had an account. However, TunnelBear says it only reveals whether a customer has an account or not in special circumstances, such as law enforcement actions where it’s mandated by law to comply.

This might be a big turn-off for most VPN users, especially if you’re concerned with the government getting your information or a VPN helping law enforcement agencies. But if this is not a concern to you, then TunnelBear is still a good option.

TunnelBear doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. However, its free version with 500 MB of data transfer every month allows customers to test the service before signing up for a free version.

My Recommendation

All right, so now that we know what a VPN is and how to choose one, what are my recommendations?

I personally use BearTunnel. I’ve used it for about two years now, and it hasn’t let me down. I can instantly connect to different places around the world and watch movies and videos from different regions. The price is extremely affordable, and the service is reliable. So, ultimately, I would recommend that for anyone to start off if they’re on a budget to go with beers.

However, if you have a little bit more money to spend, Nord VPN is probably the next-best option due to its reliability and extensive security features.

Conclusion

Every VPN company prioritizes something. It could be speed. It could be encryption. It could be anonymity—you must ensure your priorities match theirs. When selecting a VPN, list the essential features you need and those you can do without once you know why you’ll be using a VPN. You will find it much simpler to choose which VPN to use once you have finished that process.

I sincerely hope that this post helps you choose a VP for whatever you need it for. Have a great one, and if you need more information like this, check out our blog at https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/makerhub/.

How to choose a VPN

Finding the right VPN can be daunting. You might not know where to start or even know what a VPN is in the first place.

So, in this MakerHub post, we will show you what a VPN is, what it’s used for, and why you might want to invest in one. We will also show you three popular VPNs you can buy right now.

What is a VPN?

How does a VPN work?

What are the benefits of a VPN?

Below are a few reasons why people use VPNs.

Secure encryption

Disguising your whereabouts

VPN servers essentially serve as your internet proxies. Your exact location cannot be determined because the demographic location data is obtained from a server in another country.

Access to regional content

Web content, like streaming services, may not be available from all locations. So, you may be unable to access the content from Netflix or Disney Plus while traveling.

Secure data transfer

How to choose a VPN (10 factors to consider)

The first step in choosing a VPN is figuring out what you need one for.

Streaming support

If streaming is a top priority, look for a VPN that unblocks your favorite services. If you want to watch geographically blocked content, a VPN with a reputation for unlocking content is a priority.

Speed and bandwidth

If you’re planning on streaming movies online, you need a VPN with high speed, reliable connections, and unlimited bandwidth.

No-log policy

Connection limitations

Compatibility

Check which devices are compatible. For example, if you have a Windows machine but use an iPhone, you want to ensure your VPN has apps for both.

User-friendly interface.

Customer support

VPNs are constantly changing, and it’s critical that you can readily contact someone who can assist you with any problems you encounter. I prefer live chat VPNs because emails and tickets can take hours, if not days, to answer. Also, look for detailed and well-written content that will help you in tricky situations.

Price

Of course, there’s the price to consider, though we’d suggest concentrating on functionality first. Then, use price later to prune your list to a final choice.

Payment method

Money-back guarantee.

Using a money-back guarantee, you can avoid being forced to use a product you do not want.

For instance, if you select a VPN but later decide it is not the best option, it may be difficult to terminate your contract.

Instead, seek a VPN that guarantees a refund of your money within a certain period, so you are not compelled to stick with it until your contract expires.

Three popular VPNs

Below are three of our top choices for VPNs.

ExpressVPN

In addition, apps are always getting new, more advanced features. Their smart design makes them very easy to use, and professional engineering makes them reliable.

ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ server total isn’t the highest, but they’re spread across 160 locations over 94 countries.

ExpressVPN download speeds peaked at an above-average 630Mbps. So, Express is speedy enough for most users.

Nord VPN

The service is an obvious choice on this VPN list because it is quick, incredibly powerful, affordable, and goes above and beyond to demonstrate its privacy credentials in every area.

Nord betters ExpressVPN on pure server count, cranking up to an eye-watering 5,000+. It doesn’t cover quite as many countries (60 for NordVPN, 94 for Express), but NordVPN likely has servers in all the regions you’re likely to need. And Nord uses only the most secure protocols with strong AES-256 encryption and is crammed with high-end privacy features.

Unfortunately, Nord was the victim of a data breach. However, the company moved into security overdrive after its data breach a few years ago and has since added many privacy-protecting features and technologies. Moreover, you don’t have to take NordVPN’s word on its abilities either (or even ours) because it brings in PricewaterhouseCoopers annually and carries out a thorough independent audit of its no-logging policy.

Finally, as part of its “Threat Protection” feature, Nord has just added the ability to check downloads for malware.

TunnelBear

Another feature called GhostBear makes your encrypted data less visible to governments, businesses, and ISPs.

TunnelBear doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. However, its free version with 500 MB of data transfer every month allows customers to test the service before signing up for a free version.

My Recommendation

All right, so now that we know what you a VPN is and how to choose one, what are my recommendations?

I personally use BearTunnel. I’ve used it for about two years now, and it hasn’t let me down. I can instantly connect to different places around the world and watch movies and videos from different regions. The price is extremely affordable, and the service is reliable. So, ultimately, I would recommend for anyone to start off we’re on a budget to go with beers.

However, if you have a little bit more money to spend, Nord VPN is probably the next-best option due to its reliability and extensive security features.

Conclusion

Every VPN company prioritizes something. It could be speed. It could be encryption. It could be anonymity—you must ensure your priorities match theirs. When selecting a VPN, Make a list of the essential features to you and those you can do without once you know why you’ll be using a VPN. You will find it much simpler to choose which VPN to use once you have finished that process.