Virtual private networks (VPNs) are having a moment thanks to huge marketing budgets and influencer partnerships. But navigating the ever-growing market can be a challenge and the claims of features and benefits aren’t always accurate. Consumer Reports online security expert Yael Grüner suggests seeking open source software, reproducible builds, and current support for industry standard protocols.
CyberGhost makes a strong case for its zero-logs policy that promises to never record your online activities or IP address. applications are available for all major operating systems and come with an encryption of 256 bits with a kill switch, leak protection, and the ability to connect through a random port. It also scored higher in our internet speed vpnde.me/betternet-vpn-pros-and-cons-you-need-to-know tests than the majority of other VPNs we tested, but it could be a fluke or a result of the shaping of traffic by your ISP. It also offers extra tools such as Threat Protection, Onion Over VPN and Double VPN.
Nord is another option that has scored well in our tests. This includes a good showing in our geoblocking test and streaming tests. The apps are powerful and quite easy to use, but a map-based interface could be a bit clunky on smaller screens. It’s compatible with a variety of routers and Kodi TV set-top boxes, and has one of the broadest geographical reach of our selections. It’s a great choice when watching Netflix outside of the United States and also has dedicated Windflix servers for this reason. Recently, it added a feature called Perfect Forward Secrecy, that protects your information with the use of a fresh key every time making it difficult for hackers to encrypt your past activity.