Security wonks won't appreciate the lack of options for VPN protocols, but the average person is unlikely to notice. The macOS and iOS clients use the respectable IPSec protocol to secure traffic. It's new, fast, secure, and open-source, which are all good things. Of those, the Windows and Android clients use our preferred VPN protocol, OpenVPN. Some companies, like TorGuard, offer routers with their software preinstalled, while others provide instructions to install it yourself.Īvira offers clients for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. To protect these devices, consider adding a VPN at the router level. That said, smart devices, such as your smart fridge and garage door opener, can't run a VPN on their own, but still communicate with the internet. That alone makes Avira a remarkable value, and an excellent choice for any home with numerous devices. The industry average is five, although some companies may offer more or sell additional licenses. There's also a data limit on the free version of 500MB per month, which is par for the course.Īn Avira subscription lets you protect as many devices as you like. Free users also don't have access to Avira's technical support. The free version, for example, does not include the Kill Switch feature, which prevents your apps from communicating with the internet should your VPN become disconnected. For its part, Avira does offer a free version, with only a handful of restrictions. Of course, you don't necessarily have to pay for VPN protection, as there are many free VPN services available. Avira is also one of the few VPN companies that offers a mobile specific plan, charging just $5.99 per month to protect a single mobile device if you're convinced you need nothing else. Editors' Choice winner KeepSolid VPN Unlimited slides in at just $6.99 per month, however. Alternatively, you can fork over $78 once a year for a subscription, which is a good value. Pricing and FeaturesĪvira subscriptions start at $10 per month, which is average for the industry. Do note, however, that major streaming players, such as Netflix and Hulu, are very aggressive about blocking VPN users. Just hop on the right server, and you're free to stream. Free streams from the BBC and MLB, among others, are available if you're within a particular country. You can use the same technology for something a little less pressing: streaming region locked content. Journalists and activists have long used VPNs to circumvent restrictive internet policies. It also allows you to make it appear as if you're physically located with the VPN server, hiding your true location. Because your web traffic appears to be emanating from the VPN server, anyone watching sees the server's IP address instead of your own. Your data flows through the tunnel, protecting you from hackers on the network and shielding your activities from ISPs' prying eyes. When a VPN is active, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server operated by the VPN company. Finally, on the web, advertisers and three-letter agencies can track your movement between websites by noting your IP address. And, thanks to the geniuses in Washington, those companies can now sell anonymized bulk user data. At the local level, someone could be monitoring your web activity by tapping into your Wi-Fi network, or even creating a bogus network intended to trick you into connecting and exposing your data.Īt a higher level, your web traffic is visible to your internet service provider. This leaves you open to a number of threats. Without a VPN, your data flows more or less freely between your computer and the collection of servers and computers that make up the internet. Co-winner Private Internet Access might not be as fast, but it is packed to the gills with advanced features. If you're looking for speed, our Editors' Choice there is PureVPN. This subscription service is easy to use and priced affordably, but leaves a bit to be desired in the performance and features departments. With a virtual private network, such as Avira Phantom VPN, you're protected against a host of network threats. But attackers could be intercepting your data without your knowledge, while advertisers and your ISP are certainly engaged in similar activities. When you browse the web, it's easy to make sure no one is actually looking over your shoulder.
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