Ever been to a café or the subway and you couldn’t help but connect to the public WiFi? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Most times it could be for work, for conversations through Skype, a quick check of the weather report, and so on. But, did you know doing this actually exposes you to security threats?
That’s right, the biggest issue with public WiFi is not the connectivity or speed, trust us when we say these are the least of your problems. However, what you should be worried about is the vulnerability of your device to hackers and the potential loss of vital data.
Luckily for you, VPNs are the networks in shining armor ready to defend your web traffic through encryption in a private virtual tunnel. In summary, they mask your IP address making it safer to browse. Read on as we review the top VPN choices based on their features, speed, security, and value for money.
The Best VPNs To Use In 2022
Nord VPN
Arguably the top choice for privacy, this VPN is designed with unique features to keep you safe while you surf the web. It offers a dynamic IP address, unlike other addresses offered by other VPNs. It also incorporates AES-256 encryption and OpenVPN protocol to provide that extra kick of security.
The sweet spot here is that your connection is routed through not one, but multiple virtual tunnels. It has a strict logging policy located in Panama and you can guarantee absolute invisibility from the prying eyes of the web. At $11.99, you can start your plan today.
Pros:
- Access to Netflix from other countries and other streaming platforms
- Double encryption for double the safety
- Strict logging policy
Cons:
- Low customer support services
- IP address can be static
- Low support for torrent
SurfShark VPN
This VPN is based in a country that is a non-member of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes, meaning that you’re granted security from the government or hackers. The unique feature of this VPN is the fact that you get a totally different IP address every time you connect. This makes it harder to trace your address and offers a more secure browsing experience.
Pros:
- Connect multiple devices with one subscription
- Accessibility to various streaming platforms
- Free 30-day trial
- Subscription is low
- Your IP address is harder to trace
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer the fastest connectivity
- IP address can be static at times
- You have to kill the app manually
Atlas VPN
If your aim is to monitor data breaches, this is the VPN for you. One of the newest in the market, Atlas VPN offers an impressive array of features. It employs the use of top-level AES-256 encryption and strict logging privacy.
Pros:
- It’s affordable
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Dynamic IP addresses that make it harder to trace
- Data breach monitor
Cons:
- Offers fewer servers than its competitors
- No multihop feature
- Located in a country that’s a member of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes
Ivacy VPN
This VPN is perfect if you’re always on the go. It’s surprisingly and incredibly affordable, and it doesn’t keep browsing data meaning you don’t have to worry about data being sold to third parties. It also offers a strict logging policy and access to various streaming platforms.
Pros:
- The subscription is cheap. As low as $1.19 a month
- Doesn’t retain customer information
- It offers split tunneling
Cons:
- It has a poor app on MacBooks
- The kill switch is only on Windows and MacBooks.
- Located in Singapore where the government can request turnover of information
Conclusion
The benefits of using a VPN are too good to pass up. It offers security from hackers and data breaches, keeps your browsing activities private from your ISP, keeps your IP address intractable, and so on. But, you can only enjoy these features when the right choice is made.
