Virtual private networks (VPNs) are having a moment thanks to massive How to select reliable software providers marketing budgets and influencer partnerships. But navigating the ever-growing market can be difficult and the claims of features and benefits aren’t always true. Consumer Reports’ online security expert Yael Grauer suggests searching for open-source software, reliable builds and up-to-date support for industry-standard protocols.
CyberGhost’s zero-logs policy is an excellent selling point. It claims that it will not keep track of your online activities or IP address. Applications are available for the majority of major operating systems and include 256-bit encrypted encryption, a kill button leak protection, as well as the option of connecting using an unrelated port. It also scored higher than other VPNs in our speed test, though this could be due in part to the shaping of your traffic by your ISP. It also offers a variety of additional tools such as Threat Protection, Onion over VPN and Double VPN.
Nord is a different alternative that scored highly in our tests, including a strong showing in our tests of geoblocking and streaming. The apps are extremely powerful and user-friendly. However, a user interface based on maps may be a bit clunky when utilized on smaller screens. It’s compatible with a variety of routers and Kodi TV set-top boxes. It also has one of the largest geographic reach among our picks. It’s also a good option for streaming overseas Netflix and has dedicated servers called ‘Windflix’ for that purpose. It recently added a feature called Perfect Forward Secrecy, that protects your information with the use of a fresh key every time that makes it harder for hackers to decrypt past activity.