With so much of our lives now conducted online, and that trend only set to continue, protecting your privacy while wading through the internet is more important than ever. That's why so many people are turning to VPNs for some extra security, but not all are created equal. So, what features should you look for when considering the multitude of VPN options out there?
If privacy is the main reason for turning to a VPN, it can kind of defeat the purpose if said VPN is keeping a record, or log, of your online activities. Some logs will simply record things like the amount of data being transferred, your IP address and the IP address assigned to you by the VPN server. They're generally used for troubleshooting and don't raise a lot of privacy concerns.
PureVPN protects your online privacy
But browsing or usage logs on the other hand, can store a wide variety of data, such as the websites you've visited, the files you've downloaded, and whether you've used Bittorent or a streaming service like Netflix. You'll want a provider that doesn't store these types of things. PureVPN features built-in tools like Anonymous Browsing Web and RTC Leak Protection, allowing you browse the web while leaving no trace of sensitive information behind.
One million subscribers already use PureVPN, making use of its safeguards that protect against the prying eyes of mass surveillance programs like PRISM and ECHELON. This is only growing more and more important with many countries implementing mandatory data retention laws. For example, last year the US Senate made moves to allow ISPs to sell your browsing history.
PureVPN users don't need to worry about their precious data falling into the wrong hands, because their browsing habits are invisible. This is in part because PureVPN maintains no browsing logs and uses IP Address Masking to keep your true IP safe and sound, but also because it does not allow data to be handled by third parties. The fact that the company is based in Hong Kong is also a factor. Should any law enforcement agency look to obtain any network logs of its users, the case would need to be made in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, a jurisdiction that takes no part in the now infamous types of mass surveillance programs carried out by the NSA, and any attempt to make that kind of case would be blocked before it even lands on PureVPN's desk. In addition DNS Leak Protection offers impenetrable security for your data end devices.
The need for speed
Compromised speeds can quickly become the bane of VPN users, but PureVPN has its own self-managed global network of 750 servers in more than 140 countries, all of which support all security protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2. And because all of its subscription packages offer access to all 750 servers, you'll always be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding fast connections, with the service and apps all optimized for modern broadband connections.
This expansive network of servers opens up all kinds of possibilities when it comes to streaming, as users can access content from all over the world, regardless of where they are physically located. PureVPN's network includes dedicated servers for streaming that are optimized to bring the best possible speeds, meaning users can spend less time watching their videos buffer and more time watching their favorite characters in action. On top of that, PureVPN guarantees 99.9% uptime on its network.
Flexibility for the whole family
With no data limits and five logins per account, the whole family can enjoy the security and bounty of entertainment on offer all at once. PureVPN will also work on all your devices, whether it's your PC, smartphone, Amazon Fire or Kodi. There are dedicated apps for smart televisions, smartphones and Windows and Mac computers, along with extensions for Firefox and Chrome so you can access it whenever, wherever. Other handy tools included in a PureVPN subscription include an internet kill switch, 256-bit, military-grade encryption and split tunneling, which allows you to send some data through your VPN some through your ISP.
Should any questions arise with your PureVPN service, support staff are on-hand 24/7 to answer any questions via live chat.
A three month subscription to PureVPN is priced at US$10.95 per month, while a one-year subscription comes to $4.91 per month. But sign up for two years and the monthly price drops to $2.87, around the cost of your morning coffee.
More information: PureVPN
