A virtual private network, commonly known as VPN, is a facility that allows you to establish a safe and secure connection with another network using the Internet. VPN services are extremely useful when a user is accessing region-restricted websites. It helps them to protect their activity on the Internet from online spies while using public WiFi.

Originally, VPNs were made to facilitate a mode that can help business networks to connect with each other safely over the Internet. But with time, VPN has gained a lot of popularity for various reasons.

What is a VPN?
To put it simply, a network that lets your computer, smartphone, or tablet connect with another computer, known as a server, is known as a virtual private network or VPN. With the help of a VPN, you can navigate on the Internet using the server’s Internet connection. This means, if the server is in some other country, your computer will also appear to be from the same country, and you will be able to access all the content which might not be accessible in your country.

Benefits of using VPN services

Cybersecurity has become one of the most important aspects of using the Internet these days. Therefore, anything that provides security on the Internet is in high demand among Internet users, especially in big organizations that have to share encrypted data using a network. Hence, the technology of the VPN keeps evolving to meet the security demands of businesses. Here are some benefits of using VPN services.

  • Better security on the Internet
    VPN services help you ensure that your Internet browsing gets maximum security from various threats, including online hackers, telephone operators, and even the official spies. Surfing the Internet via a private Internet connection can be done without a VPN. But if you are using a public WiFi network, using a VPN ensures the required safety you need. When you use VPN services, it lets you mask your current location and encrypts your data against any kind of cyber threat. When a user accesses the Internet with the help of an ISP, all their information, including data, personal information, and passwords can be viewed. But when you are using a VPN, your data will not be accessible to the ISP.
  • Increase productivity
    If there is any restriction applicable to a site, using a VPN can allow remote access from any location. This means you can get all the content that you want, even if there are any geo-specific restrictions applied on the website. When a business uses a VPN, it increases the employees' productivity since they do not have to wait to be at a specific location to work.
  • Cost-effective
    VPN services can be availed by various providers. Different players in the market offer different packages. This means search engine providers can pick the package that suits perfectly to their needs and save a lot of unnecessary expenses. Sellers provide many VPN services at an affordable cost. They offer subscription-based packages, and users can reap a lot of benefits from them.
  • Get cheap flight tickets
    This is one of the best and yet overlooked benefits of getting VPN services. This is for the simple reason that not many people understand how it works. Having a VPN can help you buy flight tickets for low prices. Each operator or reservation centers offer flight tickets at different prices and different locations. To do this, you can look for a state where the cost of living is lower than the state where you live. Now connect to a VPN in that location and get flight tickets for lower prices. You can use this trick for other rental services, also.
  • Maintaining anonymity
    When you use a VPN, you can maintain anonymity throughout a session while browsing the Internet. As compared to other security software available in the market, having a VPN connection can ensure that you access any application or website anonymously. For example, if you wish to watch content on Netflix, which is only streaming at specific locations, you can connect to the VPN of that location. When you visit Netflix, your IP address will be shown as belonging to a location that Netflix allows, and you can enjoy the show. This means VPN can help you cross all geographical restrictions and to cover maximum content on the Internet.

How to pick a VPN service provider

Now that you are aware of the benefits of getting a VPN, it is time to learn how to pick the best VPN service provider. There are several providers in the market offering competing features; therefore, picking the right one can be confusing. So, here are certain factors that you should consider before making a decision.

  • Higher security means higher cost
    Typically, the higher you go with the security levels, the higher the cost will be. This is applicable to most VPN service providers. For most users, a mainstream VPN provider who is also affordable should be fine. They will offer a good service and charge anywhere between $4.99 and $12.99 in a month. To know about the service provider that you are willing to go with, check their online reviews, and read about them on forums before shelling out the money.
  • Providers that maintain logs vs. providers who don’t
    If you are looking for the utmost security, this is a factor that you would want to consider. Check if the VPN service provider is maintaining a log of user data and their browsing activities. If they are not, this is an additional layer of security that you might want. But if they do maintain the log, the records can allow anyone to track you down if they want.
  • Sharing of IP addresses
    This is another factor that you must consider before getting VPN services from a provider. Many VPN service providers give the same IP address to various users. This makes it difficult to decipher if there are many or just one user surfing using the same IP address. This allows you to get an extra level of security and anonymity while browsing the Internet.
  • The server location
    We are in a time when the Internet is no longer a thing about having wires and devices everywhere. WiFi is available everywhere and, thus, it is always good to have a service that will offer you a variety of VPN sites. If you live in New York and want to watch content streaming in the United Kingdom, it will be important for your VPN service provider to have a base near your city and a server in London. The server location is also an important factor, which you must consider based on your requirements.
  • Good server quantity
    Going for a VPN service provider that has more servers will always be beneficial for you. Having a good number of servers means that you will not have to visit an overcrowded server, which will slow down your speed. To make the best choice, select a provider with more than 1,000 servers globally.
  • More than one device support
    When you get VPN services, you might not want to limit the benefits to just one computer. There will be other computers, mobile phones, or tablets that you would like to connect. Usually, most VPN service providers offer services on up to five devices. However, it is always wise to check before paying.
  • Leaking of IP
    This is one of the most important factors that you must take into consideration while going for a VPN service provider. To be sure that you do not have an IP leak, go for a free trial of the VPN service provider first.
  • Good interface
    This might not sound important at first, but once you have the software, it will seem to be an important factor that you should have considered. How the software looks and feels will play an important part in the operation. There are several things that you should check before going ahead with a particular VPN service provider. For example, is the software easy to operate? Can it be turned off and on easily? How easy is it to change the location? Although in most cases, users do not use the software quite often, it is still good to know the software inside out and have the functionalities on your fingertips whenever you have to operate it.

Best VPN services to pick in 2020

With the right VPN services, you can access Internet content across states in our country, across countries, and even across regions. But that’s not all that your VPN should let you do. A good VPN service should also encrypt a user’s web traffic and not let your browsing data come under anyone’s surveillance. Here is a list of the best VPN services you can pick in 2020 without having to worry about your cybersecurity.

ExpressVPN
One of the best VPN services in the country, ExpressVPN is a trusted and reliable brand in the country. It does not log the user’s Internet activity, which means it stores zero data of the users. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means that it is also away from the reach of the authorities, and that adds another layer of security. ExpressVPN provides software that is compatible with all platforms. The software is also extremely user-friendly, which makes it perfect for beginners also. Some of the exemplary features offered by ExpressVPN include:

  • Killswitch
  • Protection from DNS leakage
  • Servers present in 90 countries
  • Port selection
  • Firewalls protection from ISPs

To get ExpressVPN, you will have to shell out some extra dollars as compared to some other VPN services. But its consistently great performance makes it worth the price. The provider offers 24/7 support through live chat, and you can simultaneously use the software on up to three devices. There is a 30-day trial, which guarantees money back if you are not satisfied with the services.

CyberGhost VPN

The Romania-based provider has been known for providing the utmost security and privacy to its users. Just like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost also has a policy of zero logs and, thus, provides an extra layer of protection to your Internet activities. To secure data, they also have implemented OpenVPN encryption. They have servers based in more than 60 countries, making it possible for users to unblock almost anything they want to see. Although CyberGhost might not offer as many features as other VPN services, for anyone looking for just unblocking sites and secured Internet navigation, CyberGhost VPN is a great option. It is also extremely cost-effective. For the price you pay for the software, you get a connection on 10 devices simultaneously. Users also get a trial of 45 days, in which if they are not satisfied with the services, they get their money back.

Private Internet Access
Another VPN service provider in the country that has been known for its exemplary cybersecurity. It also keeps no logs of users’ activity, and this has even proven it twice. The encryption used by the provider is extremely secure, and it does not leak the IP. It also provides Shadowsocks anti-censorship tech, which you might require to unblock Netflix in some regions. Some of the other features offered by the provider include:

  • Port forwarding
  • SOCKS Squid proxies
  • Blocking of DNS ads and malware
  • Split-tunneling

It has a huge server base of 3,236 servers based across 33 countries. It also gives a trial for 30 days. If you are not satisfied with the services, you can get your money back.

Surfshark

This is one of the most pocket-friendly VPN services that you can get in the country. Although they are relatively new to the VPN market, they have already proven their worth in unblocking content and giving an impressive speed even in HD quality. They have chat support which is available 24/7 and give a money-back guarantee for 30 days.