The spread of the internet around the world means that it is becoming more ubiquitous in the lives of billions of people.
With this in mind, you will note that it is becoming an increasing challenge to go without a day of surfing on your mobile device, your computer or your laptop.
You enjoy surfing the internet, but how would you know you are safe? This is where a VPN comes in – but you cannot just go with any service that promises you great results.
Background checking is important.
And that is why we write this article – to give you basic guidelines when choosing a VPN provider.
Why go for a VPN service?
The increasing importance of internet service providers allows them to offer great surfing packages at an affordable cost, along with high bandwidth and speeds.
These reasons are direct contributors to the rising numbers of internet users everywhere, but it has also led to another problem – prying eyes.
These prying eyes could range from anything – governmental surveillance, marketing companies looking for consumer data to know what to promote to you, third party companies looking for information, and so on.
These prying eyes have also been on the increase, given that internet users are also increasing exponentially.
Any hacker or eavesdropper can obtain your data – even sensitive information like your bank account number, your addresses, card numbers, and so on.
The major solution you can sue to reduce the chances of this happening is by using a VPN, or a Virtual Private Network.
What is a VPN?
This is a network that allows you to make encrypted and secure connections to other networks through the internet.
Because of this, it will allow you to gain access to websites and content that is region-restricted, protect you from any prying eyes on public Wi-Fi networks, and a host of other benefits.
They are not just useful on this front though. Through the many VPN providers that you will find, they can also offer the following benefits:
- Bypassing any censorship of the internet
- Access l0ocal network resources using remote servers
- Access business networks from the comfort of your home
- Connect to your local channels even when you are travelling
- Gives you a private IP address that disguises your actual IP
Through these benefits, using a VPN network is always a smart move, especially in the world of today.
However, it is also essential to make sure you are using the right VPN provider, rather than simply looking for a provider that fits your budget.
Therefore, doing a VPN service comparison is important before signing up for a service.
Guidelines to choosing the best provider
Define what your VPN requirements are?
Before going ahead to pick services you want to use because they seem amazing, it is more important to consider what your VPN needs are.
You can do this through asking important question – for instance, what you would use the VPN for, and why you even need it.
VPNs have very many advantages when you are trying to gain access to a remote network.
In addition, they are highly useful when you are using a public Wi-Fi network – since the connection does not have specialized security features (like strong passwords) and your browsing privacy will not be secure.
In this sense, if you work remotely, travel on a frequent basis, or switch from one public Wi-Fi network to another, it is important to remember the risks you face in your private or sensitive information; it can easily be exposed.
Other than that, you might be thinking of using a VPN because you want to access content that is unavailable in your country but available in another.
Placing targets on the server locations when using the service
It is important to consider the number of servers the VPN service provider has; and it is always best to go for those that have a big number of servers spread out across multiple countries.
You might already have an idea of the expectations or needs you have in mind, you already know the server locations you want, or you want to access websites and content around the world without compromising your online identity.
Regardless of your reasons, always check out VVPN provider reviews, and check what other users are saying about various providers.
This will also expand the catalog of providers to consider, through looking at their server locations.
Look at the security and speeds of the provider
It is very important to keep the server speeds in mind when choosing a provider. These vary widely across the board; some VPN services will slow your speeds down and lead to inefficiencies when you are surfing the internet.
Therefore, looking at this can give you an idea on the VPN efficiency, as well as the effects on your internet speed when you use them.
The second thing to look at is the security the provider offers to its users, which will also vary widely.
Some are good at hiding IP addresses, others secure your online identity, some ensure that their user browse anonymously, and so on.
Pricing options
While it is not a good idea to go for a VPN provider just because their services are cheap, it is best to go for one that gives you a variety of options for payment.
These can include anything from cryptocurrency, credit cards, PayPal, Perfect Money, and so on.
Free VPN providers are great to some extent, but they can also log in to your data and give you tailored ads.
However, going for premium services will ensure that they pay maximum attention to your privacy requirements, ensuring a better user experience.
Customer support
There are times when you will need additional advice or professional support, so it is important that they offer the service to you. Different types of support can give different benefits.
For instance, phone support is hard when the technical expert is trying to give you correct information, while email support is slow.
Live chat is great, and support articles are good when you want a private experience.
Conclusion
Before selecting a VPN service provider, ensure you take your time. It is also important to remember that your privacy is on the line, so you want to avoid any mishaps with it.