Increasing the use of online data transfer means that your personal information is always at risk. Cyber threats have become complex. In addition, cybercriminals employ various ways to access sensitive information. Thus, it’s crucial to have relevant cybersecurity measures. For instance, you can get a virtual private network (VPN) service. Sometimes, this might not be enough.
Safety and security in your online activities are necessary. Getting an antivirus with VPN can be the best option to enhance your cybersecurity. Such a plan will help you hide your data and keep it safe from malware. While antivirus software can help protect against malicious software, it’s essential to note that it can’t prevent hackers from viewing your data. So, you must use a VPN to provide such a measure as data encryption.
There are several VPN services available nowadays. You can choose to use a free one or a paid service. However, you need to consider various factors to settle on the right one. Continue reading to learn about these key factors.
- Security And Privacy Policies And Practices
One of the main reasons to get a VPN service is to protect your privacy and data. When selecting a VPN service, ensure that it guarantees strong protection of your privacy and data. It’d be best to check and inquire how the provider handles data loggings and other user activity. For instance, what data does the provider keep and for how long? Some paid VPNs even have a strict no-logging policy, which is ideal.
Additionally, you should check if the VPN service has a multi-factor authentication measure. This can help show that the service takes cybersecurity seriously. It will also help if the provider has a robust data encryption system. Cybersecurity experts recommend opting for a service with 256-bit encryption instead of a 128-bit one.
Prioritizing your data security and privacy is essential to protect yourself from possible cyber attacks. For instance, with poor encryption, hackers can steal your data and use the details to gain entry into your network. They can then institute a ransomware attack, which will result in substantial financial and data losses.
You should make sure that the VPN service prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks as well. These leaks enable the host website to detect conflict between your device and online locations. Confirm with the VPN provider if they have protocols to prevent leaks.
- Service Coverage
Choosing a VPN service with a large pool of servers is vital. This is because a VPN service with a large pool of servers can offer better performance. However, while it’s essential, you shouldn’t overlook the locations that the VPN service covers.
For instance, a VPN service might have the necessary pool of servers but only covers the Europe area. This kind of service wouldn’t help you if you need to unblock a website in the US. You’d have to get another VPN, which will only cost more.
So, aside from looking for a VPN service with a substantial server pool, you must verify that it covers the countries or regions you need.
- VPN’s Features
Various VPNs may boast enticing features, but once you get them, you’ll realize that they don’t meet your expectations. Hence, there are a few crucial features you should look for.
For instance, you should search for a VPN with a kill switch operation. This is key to protecting your privacy, as it automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN drops. Other features include an easy-to-use user interface, bandwidth and throttling, and multi-device connectivity.
Furthermore, see to it that the VPN supports devices with different operating systems. This can be crucial if you change your devices, for instance, from a tablet to a desktop or a smartphone.
- Customer Support
Like other tech products, VPNs can develop problems when you use them. You might find a solution on your own, but there might be times when you’ll need assistance from a service provider.
Since you may need professional help, you should check the available customer support system and protocols. For instance, find out what means of communication the provider provides. If it’s only an email address, what’s the response time? You should also see whether there are other communication channels, like instant messaging options or a toll-free telephone line. The communication channels available can determine if there’s round-the-clock customer support you can access.
- VPN’s Location
Due to national security and other government intelligence gathering services, some countries monitor online activities within their respective jurisdictions. Moreover, intelligence alliances, such as the 5, 9, and 14 eyes, allow member countries to share information if necessary.
Therefore, if your VPN service is located in one of these jurisdictions, the provider might have a legal requirement to retain data in their system. They might follow a strict no-logging policy. However, you may not be sure of the amount of data. This is why getting a VPN service in a neutral location would be best.
Conclusion
Using a VPN service allows you to visit various restricted sites. However, you need to consider these essential factors to pick the right service to use. You’ll also need to take account of the VPN speed, ease of installation, and whether the service meets your needs. You can get a free trial or have a money-back guarantee too before paying for one.
