We’ve just come into the 2022 holiday season that will last for about two months, and technology has never been more present in our lives and around us! Over five billion of us are now using the internet, which means over 60% of the global population can now access it. With over two billion websites online, and the global average internet speed being over 30 Mbps, the world has never been so connected in such a fast way. What is even more unbelievable is that there are an estimated 25 to 30 billion consumer devices connected to the internet today.
With AI and VR already being a part of our lives, we’re also now on the brink of revolutionary technologies such as neural network technology, quantum computing, and more. Now, that is all great, but, what happens if we do not use the internet responsibly (i.e securely)?
Because of this, cybersecurity is probably the most important tech topic going around now. This is because, without security, every user, every website, and everything online is at risk of failure and attacks. With inadequate security, you could even stand to lose money and have your identity stolen this holiday season. This is certainly something that we don’t want!
This is also exactly why a good VPN service has become vital in this day and age. With the current size and scope of the internet, it is not recommended to browse the internet unprotected.
What Is a VPN?
Virtual private network software is like an invisibility and security blanket for your internet connection. It is also surfing the internet in a locked safe. This means that hackers cannot intercept your connection, because it is encrypted, and even your government and internet provider cannot snoop on your traffic. Furthermore, by using a VPN you also change your IP address which is your web location. Your web location usually starts with a series of six or more numbers, most typically beginning with 192. This is what is known as your public IP address and it also points to your physical location! With a VPN, this address is replaced with another address that belongs to the VPN provider. Simply put, VPNs secure your connection while anonymizing you online completely.
There has always been a demand for VPNs for at least a decade, however, the rise in remote work and lockdowns from 2020 onwards show a huge spike in demand. Unfortunately, VPNs are outlawed in several countries with authoritarian governments that like to spy on and control their citizens’ internet usage. Fortunately, a VPN can also be used to un-censor the internet, too! Not to mention you can use a VPN to switch your location and unblock digital streaming.
Why do you even need a VPN, you say? Well, apart from the reasons above here are several specific reasons that will convince you;
- Hackers have caused billions of dollars in damage to the economy
- People are scammed every day without even being aware
- Connecting to public WiFI without a VPN is risky
- VPNs stop ad profiling and data harvesting
The Best VPNs Out There Right Now
What does “best VPN” mean, you may ask? Well, just like all other software, products can range from low quality to premium quality. Just like with anything else in life, you want to avoid dubious products that are not verified and trusted by the community. This is especially important when it comes to a VPN because you are entrusting your internet traffic to the provider. If you download a third-party, dubious VPN provider you might be worse off than not having a VPN enabled at all!
For these reasons, it is important to use a premium VPN or a very good quality free VPN. Below, you will find out useful information about this December’s top VPN providers that provide only premium software. With these premium VPNs, you get what you cannot get with third-party or free VPNs. This includes;
- A secure and reliable service
- Great privacy and no logging
- A great selection of international servers
- Great speeds
- User-friendliness
- Good customer support
- Honest prices for premium service
There are dozens of VPNs out there. These can be found in several app stores, including the big ones: Google Play and Apple App Store. Not all VPNs are built the same, however, which is why you must stick to ones that have been tested and verified by security and privacy professionals.
The Best Free and Premium VPNs for This Winter
Now, onto the list of VPNs that made the cut. These are;
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- Private Internet Access (PIA)
Here are the best free ones to boot;
- ProtonVPN
- Hide.me
- TunnelBear
Before we get into the premium ones, why get a free VPN? Well, while you can’t expect premium features and customer support from a free VPN, you have the right to expect something that works. This is exactly what the top three free VPNs provide.
As for the premiums, what do all of these premium VPN providers have in common that you actually need to stay safe and private on the internet?
Have a look at their shared commonalities;
- Torrenting capability
- Netflix unblocking
- Simultaneous connections
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Cutting-edge VPN protocols
- No logging of user data
- Good prices
- 30-day money-back-guarantees
- Solid customer service
Remember, you won’t be getting most of these benefits with a free VPN, particularly when it comes to speeds, data caps, and unblocking/un-censoring. If any of the former is important to you, go for a premium VPN! This winter season, a lot of us will be shopping online, playing online games, having video calls with friends and family, and, in general, using the internet a lot! Most of us will also be on our smartphones connecting to public WiFi hotspots, posting pictures on social media, and sending out instant messages and emails. Because the holiday season is such an active time, it is crucial that you protect yourself with the best VPN you can! Remember, a few bucks a month will save you many headaches down the road!
