Almost nothing you do on the internet is private. Whether it’s your internet service provider tracking your browsing activity or a company collecting data for targeted ads, your digital footprint is constantly under scrutiny. That’s where VPNs come in.
A VPN, short for virtual private network, is a tool that can help shield your internet traffic and protect your personal information. VPNs also mask your location, which is particularly useful when traveling and you need to bypass geographical restrictions to access your home content.
CNBC Select discusses what VPNs are, how they work and whether you should consider getting one.
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What is a VPN?
At its core, a VPN is a technology that protects your online privacy by hiding your location and internet activity. It works by encrypting your internet connection and routing your traffic through different servers to mask your IP address, which is essentially your device’s unique identifier. This makes it harder for your internet service provider (ISP) and third parties to track your data.
VPNs can provide an extra layer of security when using public Wi-Fi networks, where your data is more vulnerable to hackers. By hiding your true location, they also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions, giving you access to websites and streaming services that may not be available in your region.
How does a VPN work?
Normally, when you use the internet, your ISP acts as a middleman, requesting data from websites and then delivering it to you. However, when you use a VPN, your traffic is rerouted through secure servers and kept private.
Many VPNs use a method called tunneling, where your data is sent through a secure “underground” passage, ensuring nobody else can see it. Your data is also encrypted, meaning it’s scrambled into an unreadable format to prevent unauthorized access.
Will a VPN protect me from viruses?
A VPN by itself generally won’t protect you from viruses because it can’t prevent you from clicking a malicious link or attachment. However, many VPN providers offer an antivirus, either as a separate product or bundled service.
Using a strong antivirus program is crucial for protecting your sensitive information. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus performed well during lab testing and offers a few additional benefits like a file shredder and a secure banking browser. While Bitdefender’s Antivirus comes with a VPN, it’s fairly limited, so pairing it with a standalone one could help.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
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Cost
Costs may vary depending on the plan selected – click “Learn More” for details
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Standout features
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus offers a strong suite of security tools including access to a VPN. It includes an anti-tracking extension, a secure online banking browser, and a vulnerability assessment for unseen security issues.
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Offers free version
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Availability
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Security features
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus offers real-time data protection, network threat prevention, phishing and fraud protection, web attack prevention and more.
How much does a VPN cost?
VPN pricing can sometimes be a bit confusing as the service providers often run a variety of discounts and offer multiple plan tiers. VPNs often start at around $10 to $15 per month, but longer subscriptions typically include deeper discounts, and plans vary in their exact offerings.
Experts often recommend staying away from free VPNs due to their limited functionality, but some can still be useful. Proton VPN offers a free version with many of the same security features as the paid version, and you can choose to upgrade later if you want access to some premium features, like more servers or coverage for additional devices.
Proton VPN
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Cost (plus taxes)
Monthly subscription: $9.99
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12-month subscription: $4.99/mo ($59.88 upfront)
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24-months subscription: $4.49/mo ($107.76 upfront)
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Money-back guarantee/free trial
30-day money-back guarantee
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Platforms
Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Android TV and more
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Simultaneous connections
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Server network
4,400+ servers; 90+ countries
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Speed test
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Kill switch
Pros
- Useful free version
- Straightforward pricing
- Wide range of additional security features
Cons
- Average speeds in our testing
Should I use a VPN?
Almost anyone can benefit from a VPN they are relatively straightforward to use. Many companies even require employees to use VPNs when working remotely.
We named NordVPN one of the best VPNs with servers in over 100 countries and some heightened security options like a kill switch. Its basic monthly VPN plan starts at $12.99 and it offers additional tiers with more features like a password manager or more cloud storage, and offers over 6,000 servers.
NordVPN
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Cost (plus taxes)
Monthly Basic subscription: $12.99
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1-year Basic subscription: $4.59/mo with 3 extra months ($68.85 upfront)
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2-year Basic subscription: $3.69/mo with 3 extra months ($99.63 upfront)
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Prices can vary and were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Money-back guarantee/free trial
30-day money-back guarantee
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Platforms
Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV
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Simultaneous connections
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Server network
6,000+ servers; 100+ countries
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Speed test
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Kill switch
For those with multiple computers and smartphones, Surfshark could be a good fit as it covers an unlimited number of devices with just a single plan. The starter plan comes with VPN access plus ad and pop-up blockers, masked email generator, personal detail generator and higher tiers offer additional benefits.
Surfshark
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Cost (plus taxes)
Monthly Starter subscription: $15.45
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12-month Starter subscription with 2 free months: $2.99/mo ($41.86 upfront)
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2-year Starter subscription with 2 free months: $2.29/mo ($59.54 upfront)
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Prices can vary and were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Money-back guarantee/free trial
30-day money-back guarantee
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Platforms
Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Fire TV and more
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Simultaneous connections
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Server network
3,200+ servers; 100+ countries
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Speed test
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Kill switch
How to choose the right VPN provider
There are a few things to consider when choosing a VPN provider:
- Price: Many VPNs offer monthly, yearly and multi-year subscriptions at varying prices. Many VPN providers offer free trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to test them before fully committing.
- Compatibility: Make sure the VPN you’re considering is compatible with your devices. Many are compatible on major platforms like iOS, Android, MacOS and Windows, but this can vary by company.
- Speed: Using a VPN can affect your internet speeds, so you’ll want to choose one that doesn’t negatively impact your connection too much.
- Number of servers: While the number of servers doesn’t directly translate to quality, having more servers means more options for you to choose from, and can help reduce server crowding which could slow down your connection.
- Security features: Choose a VPN that takes your security seriously, and may include features like having a no-logs policy (doesn’t store any activity data), and a kill switch that cuts your internet connection if you’re disconnected from the VPN.
Pros and cons of using a VPN
Pros
- Increased privacy: VPNs can help hide your internet activity from your ISP and potential hackers
- Additional security: Using a VPN can help you keep your personal information secure from threats, especially on public networks
- Access content while abroad: A VPN could help you view content that might be region-locked
Cons
- Price: The top VPNs typically require a paid subscription
- Slower connection: Using a VPN may reduce your network speeds as it adds extra stops to your internet traffic
- Compatibility issues: Not all VPNs will be compatible across each of your different devices and operating systems
FAQs
Are VPNs free?
While there are free VPN options, most VPN services require a paid subscription for full features and security.
What are the disadvantages of using a VPN?
Using a VPN could reduce your network speeds, cause compatibility issues and generally will have a monthly cost.
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the U.S., Canada, the UK and most European and Latin American countries.
Can I use a VPN on multiple devices?
Yes, you can use a VPN on multiple devices, oftentimes even using a single subscription.
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