Top VPN services. Why buy a subscription when there are so many free VPNs? Which VPN service is better to choose?

In a world where technology is advancing at an incredibly fast pace, keeping up with security is essential. Protection against scammers trying to gain access to your email, your banking details and even your own identity is becoming increasingly not an easy task. Internet users continue to lose data by neglecting security measures or using unsecured networks.

Not long ago, the sensational WannaCry hit about 250,000 computers in more than 150 countries. Do you feel safe? Think about it again.

Thanks to the wide Wi-Fi distribution In public places such as hotels, airports and cafes, you can work and conduct personal correspondence anywhere you want, but no one has promised you that it will be safe. This is especially true for users who prefer to work remotely. Just one mistake can jeopardize the entire company you work for. Losing personal data can also lead to big troubles.

We are going to tell you about VPN security tool: why people use VPN, how to assess your need for VPN, important points, which you need to pay attention to when purchasing a VPN subscription.

As you probably already found out, today there are hundreds VPN provider ov offer their services on the Internet. It's clear that it's ideal VPN choose It's not easy in a situation like this. An assistant in this difficult task will be your understanding of the purposes for which you need a VPN.

In this article, we'll look at the most common reasons why people come to the site looking for recommendations for the best VPN service.

What are Virtual Private Networks and for what purposes are they used?


Virtual private network(Virtual Private Network , VPN) is a technology that allows you to create a secure connection between global network and your computer. Instead of connecting directly to the Internet, you connect to your VPN through your ISP, and then your VPN connects to the World Wide Web.

This allows you to surf the Internet securely and privately from anywhere you choose, hiding your actual location and data from the websites you visit, which may include malicious ones.

Using a VPN gives you these benefits:

  • — guarantees your privacy by hiding your real IP address;
  • - Provides you with secure access to both public and private Wi-Fi connections;
  • — gives you access to sites that are inaccessible for geographical reasons;
  • — protects important confidential data stored on your computer and transmitted by you;
  • — encrypts all traffic going to and from your computer, protecting against those who want to read your correspondence or get acquainted with your browsing history.

By encrypting data transmitted over the channel, VPN allows users to perform even such risky transactions as paying for goods and services on public Wi-Fi networks (in cafes, hotels and airports). A VPN ensures communication security, ensuring that no one can track your traffic and steal passwords or credit card numbers.

Because VPNs route your traffic through another network, you can mask your real location. This means that if you are in Moscow or Kyiv, you can force your outbound traffic to appear from New York. You just need to connect to the appropriate server.

A VPN not only hides your online activity from hackers, it also protects you from possible Internet Service Provider (ISP) surveillance. If your ISP for some reason decides to monitor the content you view, a VPN will prevent data disclosure because it sends all your traffic through an encrypted tunnel that your ISP cannot decipher.

Do you need a VPN?

Undoubtedly, VPN is a way to increase security and provide access to resources on the network. However, options and reasons using a VPN quite varied.

We repeat: to choose most best VPN -service, you need to think carefully before purchasing for what purposes you plan to use it. Let's outline a number of questions you should ask yourself before you move on. choosing a VPN service.

Do you need secure access to your home network?

If all you're interested in is secure access to your home network, then you absolutely don't need to purchase a VPN.

Do you need safe surfing on the Internet?

Even if you don't want to delve too deeply into privacy and security issues, you absolutely need to use a VPN when you're traveling or working on an untrusted network (most public Wi-Fi networks). After all, opening your laptop without a VPN to check in a cafe email, you are potentially putting yourself and your data at risk.

But you may also need protection at home. Your router(s) may be running outdated and compromised firmware, actively detecting packets and logging your data. Incorrect setting router may allow other users on the network to access your data or explore your laptop or mobile device. The presence of a router password usually indicates that the network is protected from outside users, but even if you need to enter a password, you may encounter any of these problems.

Do you need to hide your location?

If you need to pretend that you are accessing the Internet from a country other than where you really are, you will need a VPN provider that provides servers located in different geographic regions. For example, do you need access from the UK? Make sure your ISP has servers there. Do you need a US IP address so you can watch YouTube videos without restrictions? Select a provider that owns servers in the US.

Do you need anonymity?

If your needs go beyond watching Netflix, a VPN alone may not be enough. Part of the problem is that many VPNs promise anonymity, but few can deliver it. The other is in your settings personal computer and programs installed on it. Use the site to determine the degree of anonymity achieved and register IP leaks. The articles in will also tell you about additional funds anonymization and tricks you can use to protect your identity and data.

How to choose the best VPN service from many?


Best VPN Servicesprovide a balance between functions, server locations, connection protocols and prices for services. Some of them are suitable for simple surfing on the Internet, others are focused on circumventing geographic restrictions on the distribution of content and services, while others are created for people who primarily want to ensure security and anonymity when working on the global network.

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a VPN:

Privacy and traffic logs (logging)

You must be aware of what is happening to your personal information. Maintaining privacy is the most important task facing a VPN. Obviously, maintaining and storing traffic logs should play a big role when choosing a service provider. Make sure no one is collecting your data and making a business out of it. Don't forget to check with your VPN provider to see if they keep logs. Have a serious VPN provider but there should be a strong privacy policy and it should not store traffic logs.

Tariffs and prices

Among hundreds of VPN providers ov and the services they offer are free and paid. Please note that free VPN providers, in addition to distracting you while browsing the network, display contextual advertising, most often track your actions. There is a high probability that they will save your online activities in order to tailor what they show to you. advertisements. And that's not so bad!Free VPN networksmay also sell data to third parties. Their obligations to you in terms of confidentiality are usually not too great.

Another disadvantage of free services: when trying to access closed foreign sites, you may find that your free provider is easily identified and blocked by content owners, so the resource is inaccessible to you.

And the main thing we would like to warn you against: do not use free, unverified VPNs to register on various services if privacy is important to you - you can never be sure in whose hands your logins and passwords will fall.

When is the use of free services justified? This is your option if all you need is a quick change of IP address for surfing the Internet (some closed sites are easy to open this way). And, of course, be sure to check the provider before using.

Server speed

VPN providers often publish their server speed data, but of course... in the best possible way choose for real fast VPN , is to check the connection speed before and after turning on the VPN using free test access.

Server geography

If you need access to sites or content that are geographically restricted, be sure to check in which countries the servers of your chosen provider are located. Most often you will be able to choose which country to connect to, but this will not always be the set of countries you need.

Security Protocols

Some communication protocols are more secure than others, and not all VPN providers use the same protocols. When you're researching VPN providers, you should definitely see terms like SSL/TLS (sometimes called OpenVPN support), PPTP, IPSec, L2TP, and others on their websites.

An excellent choice for connecting all your devices is OpenVPN, which is considered one of the most secure protocols. Another secure protocol for Windows is SSTP.

You need to avoid providers that use PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) as it is the most vulnerable of all the available protocols.

Data volume

When choosing a VPN provider and you must also consider the amount of traffic provided to subscribers. The best VPN service providers offer unlimited features, but there are also those that place packet limits. Make sure this volume meets your needs.

Please note: using a VPN does not mean you are invulnerable. You should still make sure you're using HTTPS when necessary (when entering passwords, making payments, and other similar situations), and you should still be careful about what you download to your device. We also recommend that you always use antivirus software, including .

Conclusion

Before choosing a VPN service provider, do your research, read reviews, look for complaints, look at publications on the Internet. Remember what you risk: finding yourself in a situation where someone stole your data, and the VPN service not only did not protect it, but even helped the attacker.

Make sure you are not using the services of scammers. Free VPN is dangerous - it's true. But just because a provider charges for their services does not automatically mean they are trustworthy.

We understand that choice VPN provider and the tariff can be a difficult task. And if, even armed with the advice outlined in this article, you still haven’t decided, which VPN to choose , we will be happy to answer your questions about our VPN in detail. Write to us by email

Taking care of you and your safety, Mr. Whoer

Additionally, watch our video, where we talk about why to use a VPN from the site:


We're living in the freest time in history, large quantity States give preference to a democratic system, adopting liberal values ​​of openness. One of key factors influencing modern human freedom in society is, of course, the Internet. The greatest invention of mankind has made it possible to find out relevant information from all over the world in the shortest possible time.

We can communicate with people on the other side of the world, read and share opinions about certain events or people while being in a completely different place. But, unfortunately, not all states are ready to completely give up control of information about their citizens and block various sources information on the most various reasons. Security, control of opinions and economic considerations are not the entire list of the main factors influencing these decisions. Fortunately, modern technological progress cannot be stopped and any Internet user can access free and paid VPN services.

This technology stands for Virtual Private Network and is a network connection through a number of different foreign servers, thanks to which you can access a blocked site or program using more “liberal” providers. Behind last years VPN services have begun to gain more and more popularity.

7 Best VPN Services for Daily Use

On modern market can be found great amount services that differ in speed, functionality, ease of use, compatibility with operating systems and, finally, accessibility, because often quality programs require the purchase of a subscription. For an inexperienced user quite difficult to decide the right choice. This article should help new users choose a quality VPN. Presented to your attention TOP 7 best VPNs for daily use:

Nord VPN is one of best providers VPN services in the modern market. When we say the word “best” we mean the following characteristics: speed, number of servers, ease of use and availability. The main emphasis of the service is on security of use, because VPN often hides the risks of loss and leakage of your personal data and files. CyberSec technologies are responsible for encrypting Internet traffic at a military level - this protects against various hacker attacks, scammers and extortionists, as well as from annoying and ubiquitous advertisers.

Nord VPN puts your privacy first, so you can easily hide your IP address and avoid leaking valuable data. The connection speed is also at the highest level; it allows you to easily download videos from remote servers even with low Internet speeds. This server paid, you can buy a subscription for two years at a promotional price of only $2.75 per month.

Platforms: Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox.

Hidemy.name


Famous in Russia VPN extension famous for its fairly high connection speed even in trial version, which captivates users who don’t want to spend a lot of money on purchasing a subscription. The subscription cost is only 349 rubles per month, which is this moment is a very low price. The subscription includes the ability to use up to 5 devices simultaneously. All new servers will be automatically added to the subscription. A very convenient feature is to purchase a daily tariff plan for only 50 rubles. Perfect for those who do not need a monthly tariff, and also just get acquainted with the service.

Platforms

An English-language service entering the global market. The emphasis of the presented provider is on ultra-fast connection speed and subsequent connection. This allows you to work with absolutely any site without losing loading speed. On the same high level there is security, anonymity and confidentiality of use. Nice design and ease of use attracts more and more users from all over the world.

Just like Nord VPN, it works on most devices with operating systems such as Windows, Android, iOS and MacOS. The tempting subscription price today is $2.88 per month.

Platforms: Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, iOs, Android TV, extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox and others.

No less rated and popular service with its wide audience. In terms of all its functions and amenities, it is the flagship of the market and offers some of the most favorable conditions. 256-bit encryption, automatic protection Wi-Fi and complete confidentiality make the program safe, and a convenient and balanced interface reduces the search for the desired function on an intuitive level. Very profitable price- only 160 rubles per month!

Platforms

All free VPN services have very limited functionality compared to paid ones. Below you will understand why.

It is also worth introducing free VPN services that allow you to seamlessly surf blocked sites:

Not only paid extensions can boast of high security indicators, because Hotspot Shield has a function secure connection with unfamiliar Wi-Fi, which is very useful for paying in various online stores.

The disadvantage of the free version of the service is the inability to select a server, which can cause connection speed to suffer. This will negatively impact data loading times. Also, the disadvantages include the too small amount of traffic - only 750 MB per day. This will definitely not be enough for watching videos, movies, and downloading files.

Platforms: Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox and others.

People call it “the bear” and choose it for its interface style. Considering the functionality of the free version, it is worth saying that TunnelBear is the best offer, since it is quite suitable for an undemanding user. When you connect, you have access to as many as 20 free servers various countries differing in speed.

The downside of the service is the meager amount of traffic, only 500 MB daily. You can try it for free directly on the website.

Platforms: Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, extensions for Google Chrome and Opera.

Enough successful project providing an impressive 10 GB. for free use for a month (about 330 MB per day). Stylish design programs, the ability to select a country with a server and reliable connection security turn using even the free version of the service into a convenient and affordable way to avoid blocking.

Platforms: Windows 10, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS.

The role of VPN in the modern world

Today various services VPNs are in demand among tens of millions of users, they are especially popular among domestic users, because Lately a large number of different prohibitions appeared. Among the most high-profile blockings of Roskomnadzor, the following can be distinguished: Rutracker, LinkedIn, Lurkmore and, finally, Telegram, which began to be widely used on domestic market. Using the available and simple VPN can be bypassed this blocking and continue to use these sites without any problems.

A virtual private network helps keep your data and your devices private. We've reviewed all the best VPN services so you can choose the one that's best for you. There are over 300 VPN service providers to choose from, so it can sometimes be difficult to make sure you choose the right one. It's not always easy even for technicians, but here we are ready to help you. Almost every service on this list has the option to download a free trial and test out the VPN.

VPN services have taken a giant leap in a growing niche of online products, from hidden in a dark corner of the Internet to almost essential services for everyone with an Internet-connected device. Along the way, the quality of service, features and ease of use have improved, and now VPN is so easy to use that it is accessible to even the most unenlightened users. Moreover, the competition has become so strong that VPN prices have also decreased and services have been improved. In short, there has never been a better time to get started with a VPN than now. On this page you will find the best VPN options no matter what device you want to use. And we'll also touch on some basics in terms of what a VPN is and what it's for.

What is a VPN?

So what is a VPN? VPN stands for "virtual private network" and it acts as a private, encrypted tunnel between you and the Internet. In practice, it's like a private filter that completely anonymizes you online so no one can see who you are or what you're doing. Even your ISP can't see what you're doing, downloading or browsing. So, a VPN not only makes your connection completely private, but also makes it completely secure. The encryption that the VPN service uses is strong, meaning that your device cannot be hacked and your data stolen.

There are many practical uses for a VPN service. Want to access a website blocked by your ISP? VPN will make this website accessible in just one click. Would you like to access American version Netflix from the UK? Just install a VPN in the US and you're there. Do you want to access adult films with complete anonymity? Do you want to download torrents without being blocked by your ISP? It's simple.

Review of the best VPN services

Most VPN services are available as apps for any device, be it a Windows laptop, Apple Mac, iPhone or iPad, Android device, Amazon Fire TV Stick or even Smart TV. And many allow you to log in from up to 5 devices at once, so with one account you can keep all your gadgets safe and anonymous. You simply install the app, open it and tell it what your desired location is. All encryption is done in the background, so the VPN service's app does all the hard work for you.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best all-around VPN for most people, whether you want to unblock websites, stay safe, or maintain a super-fast network.

  • Number of servers: 2000
  • Server locations: 148 in 94 countries
  • IP addresses: 30,000
  • Maximum supported devices: 3
  • Application: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TV
  • 30-day return guarantee

Advantages of the service:

  • Available on any device
  • Amazing 24/7 customer support with support in 94 countries
  • Cost: $6.67/month to $12.95/month

ExpressVPN has 148 locations in 94 different countries. This means you can change your IP address in 148 locations around the world. ExpressVPN delivers great performance and software with dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and BlackBerry, as well as select smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, Apple TV, PS4 and Xbox, and even your router. P2P support allows you to use the maximum bandwidth of your broadband connection. ExpressVPN is available at reasonable prices and provides good service and supports three simultaneous connections. There is no free trial, but there is a free 30-day money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your requirements - this good way check it if you are not sure.

IPVANISH

An excellent VPN service specifically designed for streaming and downloading large quantity data

  • Number of servers: 950
  • Server locations: 60
  • IP addresses: 40000
  • Maximum supported devices: 5
  • Brilliant speeds
  • Great apps for all devices
  • Reliable brand
  • Using 5 devices simultaneously
  • Subscription cost: $6.49 to $10/month

IPVanish is one of the most recognizable names among all VPN services. They've been around for years, and if you've read about VPNs in the past, you've probably seen some of their ads! IPVanish is certainly not one of the budget offerings on the market, but it is still slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN. Like Express, IPVanish doesn't offer a free trial (though it does have a seven-day money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your expectations). It promises to be the world's fastest VPN, with over 40,000 IP addresses, 850 servers in 60 countries, unlimited traffic and support for up to five simultaneous connections. This is an advantage over ExpressVPN, which only offers three connections at a time - IPVanish can be the best option for you if you want to, for example, connect your entire family to one plan. There's also no logging policy, meaning the service doesn't collect data about what you do.

VyprVPN

Reliable VPN service for increased productivity and security

  • Number of servers: 700
  • Server locations: 73
  • IP addresses: 200,000
  • Maximum number of supported devices: 3
  • Good VPN options
  • Free trial
  • Use on 3/5 devices
  • Price from $5 to 9.95/month

Switzerland is famous for its laws protecting privacy, and that's where VyprVPN operates, although its servers are located in 72 other countries. If you're used to VPN services that absolutely kill your data speeds, you'll be pleasantly surprised by VyprVPN, which lets you make the most of your bandwidth. The service also offers many useful options, including auto-connection, kill-switch and enhanced security through the proprietary Chameleon protocol and proprietary DNS service. VyprVPN has a free trial so you can try the VPN for free and see the benefits.

NORDVPN

One of the biggest names in the VPN field.

  • Number of servers: 3500
  • Server locations: 60
  • Device support: 6
  • Cost from $3.99/month to $11.95/month

Central America might not be the first place you might think of when it comes to cutting-edge technology, but NordVPN is there with best services VPN. It has 1,015 servers in 59 countries, supports up to six devices simultaneously, and has a feature list that includes a circuit breaker, dedicated IP addresses, reliable protection from DNS leaks and the ability to pay in Bitcoin. You can take advantage of the free trial, and if you like it, sign up for the three-year plan, which is currently only $99!

Tunnelbear

Super easy to use VPN service for beginners

  • Number of servers: ~1,000
  • Server locations: 20
  • Maximum devices: 5
  • Extremely convenient
  • Wide range of client programs
  • Transparent privacy policy
  • Cost from $4.99/month to $9.99

TunnelBear is designed for a very specific group of people: people who want to use VPN services, but don't want to mess with the setup or become IT specialists. And it is perfect for this market, with very simple interface and without any difficulties. Truth be told, all VPN services do this these days, but TunnelBear really stands out. Subscription with five simultaneous connections, servers in 20 countries and decent performance on any site. There is a free version that limits you to 500MB of monthly data, and if you pay annually, the price full version drops from $9.99 to $4.99 per month.

VPN service WINDSCRIBE

An excellent VPN service that offers unlimited connections

  • Number of servers: 348
  • Server locations: 50
  • Number of devices: Unlimited
  • Cost from $3.75/month to $4.50/month

Windscribe offers unlimited connection devices. The reason is that, unlike other VPN services on this list, it does not offer unlimited data. So you are limited to 10GB of data every month, and free plan Only allows one device. There are apps for Windows, Mac and iOS, but not for Android. The service also offers browser add-ons with useful features such as ad blocking.

Hotspot Shield

A well-known VPN service that isn't as good as others

  • Number of servers: 2000
  • Locations: 20
  • Supported devices: 5
  • Low price
  • Excellent download speeds
  • 7-day trial
  • From $2.99/month to $12.99/month

How much does a VPN cost? Hotspot Shield can cost you as little as $150 for life, or $2.99 ​​per month if you opt for an annual subscription. For the money you get a decent set of features, including the ability to use up to five devices and good performance. There is a seven-day trial which gives you more than enough time to test it out. The disadvantages include the slow speed of some servers on the list.

How safe is it to use a VPN?

The main reason to use a VPN is security. In theory, data that travels over a VPN cannot be intercepted by anyone else, so it can protect your online banking, or confidential business communications, but there are other benefits. A VPN can make it much harder for someone to track you online. Services may overcome geographic blocks that prevent you from accessing certain specific services, such as online video.

When we say that in theory a VPN cannot be intercepted, there is a cardinal security rule to consider: if you are using the service on a device that has already been exposed to malware such as keyloggers or other viruses, then the VPN will not be able to protect you properly. If you work with Windows, then good antivirus software is absolutely essential.

Can a VPN provide complete anonymity online?

VPNs can make your browsing private, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're anonymous. VPN services can and do keep logs of traffic (even those that say they don't log traffic need to log some information, or they won't be able to function properly), and those logs can be requested by authorities. Think of VPNs as curtains: people can't see through your curtains if you've closed them, but curtains won't hide your home.

In practice, this means that VPNs are great for bypassing geo-blocks, protecting your online banking, and ensuring seamless banking. business messages. However, if you use the Internet for any illegal purposes, this is not Magic wand, which will make you invisible.

What are the differences between VPN and Proxy?

A proxy server is another way to hide your real location. When transmitting data through a proxy server, the data first arrives at this server and then is transmitted further. The main difference is that VPNs protect all of your traffic, while proxies are typically limited to specific types of data, such as peer-to-peer networking or web browsing.

Why buy a subscription when there are so many free VPNs?

Because you get exactly what you pay for. Rather, with free VPN services, you get what you don't pay for in the form of advertising, lower priority connections, app blocks, session restrictions, and in most cases, no quality of service guarantees. If you want to temporarily protect your laptop in an internet café, a free VPN will do the trick, but for anything more serious, we recommend a paid product.

Which VPN service is better to choose?

To choose the best VPN, look beyond price. Start with the basics: how many simultaneous connections can you make? Are there specific security protocols you want to use? Does the ISP have servers in the locations you want to use it from and in the locations you want to connect to? How much data will they record about you and how long will they keep it? If possible, try downloading the free version before purchasing. In some cases, there won't be a free trial, but most reputable VPN providers offer a money-back guarantee if the service doesn't meet your expectations.

VPN or Virtual Private Network- a tool for a truly free and secure Internet. It is a virtual private intermediary network between end user And world wide web. The technology allows you to access the network from a foreign IP address, which is required to access resources blocked in your home region. In addition, VPN should be used in public Wi-Fi networks to anonymize and protect against interception of transmitted data. VPN applications are the easiest way to evaluate all the advantages of the technology, about them below the cut.



Opera VPN - a client from the well-known Opera Software, created after the takeover of SurfEasy, one of the leaders in this field.

Appearance The application is at the proper level: it looks modern and works smoothly. I was pleased with the mascot - a Scandinavian warrior, who symbolizes the security of VPN networks and notifies about the status of the application.

Connecting to a secure network is done in one click. By default, the nearest VPN server is used. List available regions next: Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Singapore and USA.

A separate section is devoted to the security of Wi-Fi connections. The developers recommend activating VPN on public Wi-Fi networks to anonymize and prevent traffic interception.

An interesting feature of Opera VPN is that it blocks ad trackers that collect network activity users for advertising purposes.
The service is provided absolutely free, without restrictions on the amount of traffic. There are no paid plans. The application has built-in unobtrusive advertising.

To test the service, we used a recommended VPN network located in the Netherlands.


Speed ​​measurements were carried out using the Speedtest.net service in two stages. First of all, the speed was tested to the server closest to the VPN network, located in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Afterwards, the connection speed was measured to the server closest to the actual location.

Connection speed without VPN.

Much more interesting is testing in real conditions. Here Opera VPN shows itself extremely positively. Connecting to the network hardly affected the responsiveness of web pages and applications, however, from time to time the access speed drops, this manifests itself in noticeable delays. At the same time, through a VPN you can watch online videos up to 1080p.


Hola is one of the most common VPN services. Except Android applications, plugins are available for various browsers.

The application interface is designed in a modern flat style. Unlike other clients, the VPN connection is open to specific application. At the same time, other programs continue to transmit data directly.

In addition, the Hola client app comes with a built-in browser that allows you to visit web pages at your desired online location without creating a system-level VPN connection.

The list of available regions is the widest among free VPN clients. Among them are the usual Netherlands, Germany, the USA, and Angola, Indonesia, Italy, Estonia and others.
The service is provided free of charge and without restrictions on the amount of data transferred.

There are no banner ads in the application, however, unlike other solutions, Hola works on the principle of a peer-to-peer network. Each connected smartphone is used to transmit traffic to other participants. This approach allows you to reduce the cost of maintaining the main VPN servers by placing part of the load on users.

It is stated that resources user devices are consumed only when idle, when connected via Wi-Fi. To disconnect from the P2P network, you will need a paid Hola Premium subscription, costing $5 per month.


Connection speed was tested when connecting to a Dutch server. The VPN network exhibits excellent latency performance, especially when working with the server closest to the actual location.


When other regions connect to the network, the trend continues. Germany.


USA.

Hola is a service originally designed to work with services: hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Spotify. Thereby, streaming video plays without problems, including 1080p. There is nothing to say about the web pages; they work as expected.


CyberGhost- VPN service with unusual client application oriented towards the average user.

The main menu is divided into 4 banner sections with pre-configured modes of use.

The first one is Secure Wi-Fi Hotspot designed to work on public networks. After its activation, the ability to intercept traffic, as well as malicious sites, is blocked. Changing the region is not possible; the most optimal one is used by default.

I liked the ability to automatically activate protection when connecting to selected networks.

Safe streaming- catalog of services with regional reference.

The corresponding online location is used to connect.

Anonymous navigation - connect to a VPN network with options to ensure anonymity and security. The service can compress data on the fly to save traffic on mobile networks.

By default, the optimal VPN server is used, the list includes Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and Ukraine.

Last tab- connection to a VPN with the ability to select a server manually based on load data.

Anonymization and protection against malicious sites can be activated separately.

The free plan includes unlimited traffic and access to VPN servers in 30 regions. For 229 rubles per month you can get a higher connection speed.


The application has an automatic selection function suitable server, during testing we used a recommended server located in Ukraine. The service demonstrates high connection speed.


The remaining regions show comparable figures. Netherlands.

In real operation, the service shows itself positively. Web pages load quickly, but there is a slight delay due to high ping. Video content is provided without problems.


Turbo VPN- an alternative service that provides access to a secure channel without traffic restrictions.

The application interface is designed in Material Design, looks relevant. They couldn't do without a mascot; the developers used a hare.

None additional functions, except for the VPN itself, there is no. Servers located in the following countries are available for connection: Germany, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the United States, India and Singapore. By default, the most optimal server is selected.

Using the service is absolutely free, the amount of traffic is not limited. There are no paid plans. The application is filled with advertisements, including full-screen ones.


In everyday use, the experience is similar: web pages load without significant delays. Online videos in 1080p work; delays when rewinding are comparable to connecting directly.


TouchVPN - free VPN service no traffic restrictions from North Ghost.

The client's style is reminiscent of MIUI. The interface is focused on connecting in one click.

Unusual feature- statistics of the current session. The application also draws graphs, but their information content and usefulness are questionable.

List available servers includes 19 countries, including: Germany, Russia, Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden and Japan.

Among the additional options, noteworthy is the warning about connecting to an unsecured network, which is triggered when using public Wi-Fi networks.

The service is provided absolutely free of charge without restrictions on traffic and connection time. There are no paid plans. The client uses full-screen advertising.

The client considers the Russian server to be optimal; it doesn’t make much sense. Therefore, a VPN server located in France was used for testing and speed measurements. The connection speed was a pleasant surprise! However, Speedtest.net is unstable on the network, and it was not possible to get speed results to the server closest to the actual location. Changing the region does not change the situation.

The unstable operation of the speed measurement service does not affect normal web surfing in any way; even heavy sites load normally. There were no problems with online videos.


Hideman Free VPN - free version famous service, not limited in the volume of transmitted data.

The application interface looks minimalistic, the main menu is to select the region to connect to. Available in the free version: Canada, Ukraine, Moldova, Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria.

An interesting feature is support for the UDP protocol. It is faster than the usual TCP, although the latter is more reliable. Additional options include protection against malicious and spy sites, and Anti-DPI to bypass government firewalls.

In the free version of the service, only 6 regions are available. There are no restrictions on the amount of data transferred. The client uses unobtrusive banner advertising.


Along with other services, Hideman performed well in everyday use. Internet surfing and video streaming are provided without any noticeable problems.

About anonymity in public networks

Like any business, public VPN networks should not be unprofitable. At the same time, enormous amounts of money are spent on maintaining and supporting servers. If the service is provided free of charge, the monetization mechanisms are unclear, and it is unlikely that the advertising built into clients can recoup a significant part of the costs. Therefore, it is recommended to trust truly important data paid services, who value their reputation and anonymity of users. Free services- nothing more than a means of bypassing regional restrictions. That is, they are provided as is, without responsibility for the private data of users. You should take developers' claims about data security with skepticism.

In 2015, there was a scandal with the above-mentioned service, which was caught selling traffic third party companies. In one episode, users turned out to be unwitting participants in a botnet. After the scandal, the company changed Terms of use, and those who do not want to share device resources were offered a paid Hola Premium subscription.

Electronic communications are improving every year, and information exchange increasingly high demands are placed on speed, security and quality of data processing.

And here we will look at a VPN connection in detail: what it is, why a VPN tunnel is needed, and how to use a VPN connection.

This material is a kind of introductory word to a series of articles where we will tell you how to create a vpn on various operating systems.

VPN connection what is it?

So, a virtual private network vpn is a technology that provides a secure (closed from external access) connection logical network over private or public if you have high-speed Internet.

Such a network connection of computers (geographically distant from each other at a considerable distance) uses a “point-to-point” connection (in other words, “computer-to-computer”).

Scientifically, this connection method is called a VPN tunnel (or tunnel protocol). You can connect to such a tunnel if you have a computer with any operating system that has an integrated VPN client that can “forward” virtual ports using the TCP/IP protocol to another network.

Why do you need a VPN?

Basics advantage of vpn is that renegotiators need a connectivity platform that not only scales quickly, but also (primarily) ensures data confidentiality, data integrity, and authentication.

The diagram clearly shows the use of VPN networks.

Rules for connections over a secure channel must first be written on the server and router.

How VPN works

When a connection occurs via VPN, the message header contains information about the IP address of the VPN server and the remote route.

Encapsulated data passing over a shared or public network cannot be intercepted because all information is encrypted.

The VPN encryption stage is implemented on the sender's side, and the recipient's data is decrypted using the message header (if there is a shared encryption key).

After the message is correctly decrypted, a VPN connection is established between the two networks, which also allows you to work on a public network (for example, exchange data with a client 93.88.190.5).

Regarding information security, the Internet is extremely unprotected network, and a VPN network with OpenVPN, L2TP / IPSec, PPTP, PPPoE protocols is completely secure and in a safe way data transmission.

Why do you need a VPN channel?

VPN tunneling is used:

Inside corporate network;

To unite remote offices, as well as small branches;

For digital telephony service large set telecommunications services;

To access external IT resources;

For building and implementing video conferences.

Why do you need a VPN?

VPN connection is required for:

Anonymous work on the Internet;

Downloading applications when the IP address is located in another regional zone of the country;

Safe work in a corporate environment using communications;

Simplicity and convenience of connection setup;

Ensuring high connection speed without interruptions;

Creating a secure channel without hacker attacks.

How to use VPN?

Examples of how VPN works can be given endlessly. So, on any computer on the corporate network during installation protected vpn connections, you can use mail to check messages, publish materials from anywhere in the country, or download files from torrent networks.

VPN: what is it on your phone?

Access via VPN on a phone (iPhone or any other Android device) allows you to maintain anonymity when using the Internet in public places, as well as prevent traffic interception and device hacking.

A VPN client installed on any OS allows you to bypass many of the provider’s settings and rules (if the provider has set any restrictions).

Which VPN to choose for your phone?

Mobile phones and smartphones running Android OS can use applications from Google Playmarket:

  • - vpnRoot, droidVPN,
  • - tor browser for network surfing, also known as orbot
  • - InBrowser, orfox (firefox+tor),
  • - SuperVPN Free VPN Client
  • - OpenVPN Connect
  • - TunnelBear VPN
  • - Hideman VPN

Most of these programs are used for the convenience of “hot” system setup, placing launch shortcuts, anonymous Internet surfing, and selecting the type of connection encryption.

But the main tasks of using a VPN on a phone are checking corporate email, creating video conferences with several participants, and holding meetings outside the organization (for example, when an employee is on a business trip).

What is VPN on iPhone?

Let's look at which VPN to choose and how to connect it on an iPhone in more detail.

Depending on the type of network supported, when you first start the VPN configuration on your iPhone, you can select the following protocols: L2TP, PPTP and Cisco IPSec (in addition, you can “make” a VPN connection using third-party applications).

All of the listed protocols support encryption keys, user identification using a password and certification are carried out.

Additional features when setting up a VPN profile on an iPhone include: RSA security, encryption level, and authorization rules for connecting to the server.

For an iPhone phone from the appstore, you should choose:

  • - free application Tunnelbear, with which you can connect to VPN servers any country.
  • - OpenVPN connect is one of the best VPN clients. Here, to launch the application, you must first import RSA keys via iTunes into your phone.
  • - Cloak is a shareware application, since for some time the product can be “used” for free, but to use the program after the demo period has expired, you will have to buy it.

VPN creation: selection and configuration of equipment

For corporate communications in large organizations or associations deleted friend from other offices use hardware equipment capable of supporting continuous, secure work on the network.

To implement VPN technologies, the role of a network gateway can be: Unix servers, Windows servers, a network router and a network gateway on which VPN is installed.

The server or device used to create vpn networks enterprises or vpn channel between remote offices, must perform complex technical problems and provide a full range of services to users on both workstations and mobile devices.

Any router or VPN router must provide reliable operation on the network without freezes. And the built-in VPN function allows you to change the network configuration for working at home, in an organization or in a remote office.

Setting up VPN on the router

IN general case VPN setup on the router is carried out using the router's web interface. On “classic” devices, to organize a VPN, you need to go to the “settings” or “network settings” section, where you select the VPN section, specify the protocol type, enter the settings for your subnet address, mask and specify the range of IP addresses for users.

In addition, to secure the connection, you will need to specify encoding algorithms, authentication methods, generate negotiation keys, and specify the WINS DNS servers. In the “Gateway” parameters you need to specify the gateway IP address (your own IP) and fill in the data on all network adapters.

If there are several routers in the network, you need to fill out the VPN routing table for all devices in the VPN tunnel.

Here's a list hardware equipment used when building VPN networks:

Dlink routers: DIR-320, DIR-620, DSR-1000 with new firmware or D-Link DI808HV Router.

Routers Cisco PIX 501, Cisco 871-SEC-K9

Linksys Rv082 router with support for about 50 VPN tunnels

Netgear router DG834G and routers models FVS318G, FVS318N, FVS336G, SRX5308

Mikrotik router with OpenVPN function. Example RouterBoard RB/2011L-IN Mikrotik

VPN equipment RVPN S-Terra or VPN Gate

ASUS routers models RT-N66U, RT-N16 and RT N-10

ZyXel routers ZyWALL 5, ZyWALL P1, ZyWALL USG