VPNs for Beginners – The Ultimate Guide

Have you been wondering how to protect your privacy when you go online? Or maybe you want to secure your internet connection while also getting access to blocked content, censored media, and anything else that’s restricted by online gatekeepers?

Well you can do it all with a virtual private network – or VPN for short.

VPNs are growing in popularity around the world for many reasons. People are using VPNs to secure their internet connection, protect their privacy, access blocked content, and save money with online purchases. The demand for VPNs is also rising in response to the frightening mass surveillance trends and “thought crime” regulations. But before we get into all the benefits of using a VPN, let’s cover some basics.

What does VPN mean and how does it work?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an encrypted connection between your computer/device and a VPN server. Think of this encrypted connection as a protected “tunnel” through which you can access everything online, while appearing to be in the location of the server you are connected to.

Without a VPN, everything you do online is easily traceable to your physical location and the device you’re using via the device’s IP address. Every device that connects to the internet has a unique IP address – from your computer to your phone and tablet. By using a VPN, you replace your computer’s IP address with the VPN server’s IP address and also hide your true location.

Good VPN service providers typically maintain servers all around the world – which gives you lots of connection possibilities. After purchasing a VPN service and downloading the software, you can instantly connect to any of these worldwide servers.

Benefits of a VPN

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, here are a few things you can do with a VPN:

• Surf the web without revealing your real IP address and geo-location
• Add an extra level of security by encrypting your internet connection
• Prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP), corporations, and governments from spying on your online activities (thanks to encryption)
• Access blocked content that’s restricted to certain geographic locations
• P2P download in safety
• Bypass censorship by easily getting around regional restrictions
• Save tons of money on flights and other online purchases by changing your IP address (geographic location)
• Protect yourself from hackers anywhere you go – especially while using public WiFi connections in cafés, hotels, and airports.
• Protect your private data, such as bank passwords, credit cards, photos, and other personal information when online.
• Surf the internet with peace of mind.

With all the benefits to VPNs, it’s easy to see why their popularity is quickly growing throughout the world. But before you look for a safe and high-quality VPN, you should first understand how it works.

Online Privacy and Security – The Important Details

Using a VPN gives you a tremendous amount of privacy online. Without a VPN, your internet service provider (ISP) can easily see everything you do: sites you visit, comments you make, social media interactions, and everything else. With so many ISPs working directly with governments and disclosing sensitive customer information, many people are feeling betrayed and worried.

But when using a VPN, your ISP can only see that you’re online and connected to a VPN server. That’s it. Your information is encrypted, blocking their access to personal details.

Due to the encryption that goes with a VPN, public WiFi connections are once again safe to use. And if you’re using public WiFi without a VPN… you might just get burned. Hackers and other criminals regularly exploit public WiFi to steal peoples’ identity, personal data, credit cards, bank accounts, and other private information.

If you’re using a solid VPN service with strong encryption, you should be very difficult to hack or spy on. This is especially true if you follow good privacy/security precautions with all your internet devices. That being said, you’d probably have a tough time being completely 100% anonymous if the NSA wanted to spy on you – just ask Edward Snowden.

But with a quality VPN service, you can utilize military-grade encryption standards that are considered to be absolutely unbreakable. Furthermore, some VPN providers such as Perfect Privacy allow you to “cascade” your connection across different encrypted VPN servers around the world. This gives you a level of privacy that is unmatched.

VPN Encryption Protocols

To understand how a VPN protects your information, you need to know the different encryption types. Without getting bogged down in details, there are four common encryption protocols used with VPNs today:

• PPTP – Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol. This is an older encryption protocol with known security vulnerabilities. We do not recommend using the PPTP protocol with your VPN service due to the security problems.
• L2TP w/ IPSEC – Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol Security. This protocol is more secure than PPTP, but is can be does not always have the best speeds when compared to OpenVPN.
• OpenVPN – Is an open-source project developed for multiple types of authentication methods. This is generally considered the most secure protocol with solid speeds. In most cases, this is the best encryption protocol to be using with a VPN service. (Most VPN providers will make this the default protocol, but double check when you’re connected to a VPN.)
• IKEv2 – Internet Key Exchange version 2 is also a fast and very secure encryption protocol. It is automatically pre-configured in many operating systems, such as Windows, Mac OS, and iOS. It works very well for re-establishing connection, especially with mobile devices. The one downside is that IKEv2 was developed by Microsoft and is not an open-source project, like OpenVPN.

The main takeaway with encryption is recognizing which protocols a VPN service offers and the corresponding level of security. The two best encryption standards are OpenVPN and IKEv2. Check to see what protocols are available when you’re examining VPN services, but try to avoid PPTP due to known security flaws.

Anonymity, Logs and Data Retention

It’s important to remember that when you’re online with a VPN, you are using the VPN software, encryption, and servers. This means that the VPN provider can still see who you are and what you’re doing in real time. Therefore, you’re technically not 100% anonymous to the entire world. This is where a “zero logs” policy comes in.

Given this simple fact, we strongly recommend choosing a VPN provider that does not log your activity and browsing history. If there are no logs kept by the VPN service provider, there is nothing to hand over or be lost to hackers. Furthermore, since many different users are sharing the same IP addresses of the VPN server, it would be extremely difficult to track down individual browsing history.

Some VPN services keep connection logs, which typically record data on connection, speed, duration, etc. – but not browsing history. This is generally a minimalist log policy and does not raise serious privacy concerns. Usage logs however, record all of the above plus what you’re doing online. Again, we recommend choosing a VPN provider that does not keep usage logs.

One should also consider the location of the VPN service provider, since some countries require companies to keep logs of user activity. This is especially important in Europe, which has draconian laws about “hate speech” and other blasphemies. Note: Sweden, Luxembourg, Romania, and the Netherlands do not require tech/telecom companies to keep such logs. Switzerland is also a good country for VPNs because Swiss data retention laws only apply to ISPs, not VPNs.

VPN Features – Kill Switch and Leak Protection

One important privacy feature to have is what’s called a “kill switch” for your VPN. If you’re surfing online and your VPN connection suddenly drops, you don’t want to have your true IP address and location exposed. This is where the kill switch comes in. The kill switch will basically freeze/block the internet connection until the VPN is reconnected. Most high-quality VPNs have this feature and we strongly recommend using it for privacy reasons.

Another facet of privacy is a feature for IPv6 leak protection. As more internet-capable devices are manufactured, the number of IP addresses needed worldwide continues to increase. This is why the traditional IP address (which is the IPV4 address) is gradually transitioning into an expanded IPV6 address.

An IPv6 leak is when your computer’s IPv6 address gets leaked out while you’re connected. Again, this compromises your privacy. Many VPN providers have gotten around this issue with options to enable “IPV6 leak protection.” But this is not a good long-term solution because they’re just blocking IPv6, rather than supporting it.

The best solution by far is to support IPv6 across all your servers. This means that you’ll be provided with both an IPv4 and IPv6 address when you connect to your VPN. But this is definitely an expensive solution, requiring a massive network overhaul. The only VPN service I’ve seen do this is Perfect Privacy, which is one reason they’re the top VPN recommendation for security and privacy reasons.

You can check your privacy settings right now. This security checks page includes: IP Check (IPv6 and IPv4), DNS leak test, WebRTC leak test, and MS leak test (for Windows vulnerabilities).

If you are using a VPN service, you should continue to periodically test the security settings using the tools above.

VPN Performance and Speed

When you’re using a VPN online, a lot is going on behind the scenes. Your computer is encrypting and decrypting data, which is being routed through a remote VPN server. All of this takes time and energy, and this will ultimately affect your internet speed. That’s why choosing a top-tier VPN service is important for good performance and fast speeds.

To ensure the fastest speed while using a VPN, it’s best to connect to the closest VPN server that fits your needs. For example, if you’re in the UK and want to watch blocked videos that are available to people in the United States, choosing a VPN server in New York is a good idea (rather than Los Angeles).

A top-tier VPN service should not affect your internet speed considerably. This is especially true if the VPN service has a wide range of worldwide servers, giving you lots of connection options. On the other hand, some of the lower-quality VPN services may significantly decrease your internet speed. This can be incredibly frustrating when downloading or streaming videos – so choose wisely when selecting a VPN provider.

See if you can locate a server status page for your VPN provider. If not, that might mean their servers are over-loaded with users, and consequently slow.

VPNs on Phones and Tablets

While VPNs have improved significantly on iOS and Android devices, they still don’t work quite as well as they would on a computer. The main reason for this is that using a VPN is a bit more complicated than typical applications, requiring connection to external servers, encryption, and decryption. Naturally, this is a bit more challenging on a phone which may go in and out of connectivity.

The good news is that mobile device VPN applications are quickly improving, as is the processing power of phones and tablets. These developments are good for people who spend lots of time connected to a mobile device.

One word of caution: avoid free or cheap VPN mobile apps. These apps are usually very “buggy” and will often be clogged up with advertisements, malware, or trackers, which further compromise privacy and security. Fake apps that are loaded with ransomware are also becoming increasingly common. (See the VPN Warning List for examples.)

In general, mobile devices have a bad reputation in terms of security and privacy. That’s because many of the apps (especially social media apps) access personal data on your device and send this info directly to the company. For all these reasons, you should exercise caution when using a VPN on a mobile device – especially if you’re serious about privacy.

We’ve created two security/privacy guides for Android and iOS users, which include the best VPN setup instructions:

• How to Secure Your Android Device (5 Simple Steps)
• How to Secure Your iPhone & iPad (5 Simple Steps)

BEWARE: Free VPNs, Lifetime Subscriptions, and “Reviews”

To be totally honest with you, I’m starting to get pissed off. The VPN market (and internet in general) is totally infested with scams. In particular, there are three scams I keep seeing over and over again: free (or cheap) VPNs, lifetime subscriptions, and “reviews”.

Free or cheap VPNs are often highly-rated privacy and security nightmares. But people still fall for this scam every day, and then pay the price when their devices get infected with malware and their bank account and credit cards get hacked. This happens all the time – when something is cheap or free, then you are the product.

Another scam that gets a lot of people are lifetime subscriptions. These are typically advertised as only being available for a short time, which is scam used to convince you of scarcity. (Just like the never-ending furniture store sales!)

Here’s the truth: a secure, high-quality VPN service is expensive to run. Maintaining good servers, security, and support all cost money. So if a VPN service is cheap (or even worse, free) this raises some very serious concerns.

Offering a cheap lifetime subscription would never cover the costs. So that leaves two options: either this is a Ponzi scheme that requires an ever-increasing number of new subscribers, or you are the product (and your data is getting sold to the highest bidder).

Finally, beware of all reviews and user ratings. Many of the most malicious and dangerous VPN mobile apps are highly-rated (see the VPN Warning List for examples). There are countless VPN “review” sites that promote dangerous, malware-infested VPN services. Why? Because scams are profitable and they’ll gladly sell out their readers.

How to Choose a VPN

Choosing a VPN can be difficult because the internet is full of scams and deceptive marketing. Instead of looking for the best “deal” or cheap solution, look for quality providers that have strong privacy policies and a good track record.

1. Avoid the bad VPNs (see VPN WARNING List)
2. Look for good, trustworthy VPNs (see Best VPN List)

The most important thing to remember is to place a premium on quality, not price. Cheap VPNs are not worth the hassle, privacy risks, or time. And there’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve been protected by your VPN, while your private information has been exposed to the world via malware, tracking, or other vulnerabilities.

What about Tor?

Tor, which stands for The Onion Router, is a combination of network and browser that utilizes multiple “hops” to protect user privacy. Tor was created and financed by the US government in 2002 and is still used by privacy-enthusiasts. But it has some serious issues:

• The Tor network has been compromised for years and no longer offers adequate privacy protection
• The Tor network is known to leak the user’s identity
• Microsoft’s DRM can easily expose Windows-on-Tor users
• Viewing PDF documents while using Tor can also leak your identity
• Tor users are vulnerable to end-to-end timing attacks
• Tor is too slow for everyday use (especially video streaming)

For these reasons and more, I recommend a VPN instead of Tor if you’re looking to protect your privacy online. One good option, however, is to use the Tor browser with the Tor network disabled. The Tor browser used with a good VPN service is a great combination to protect your privacy. The Tor browser is simply a hardened and protected version of Firefox. To learn how to set this up, see step 11 in the Simple Online Privacy Guide.

VPNs are legal, right?

With very few exceptions, such as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), VPNs are completely legal to use. Some Middle Eastern countries, such as the UAE and Iran, frown on the use of VPNs because the government works so hard censor the internet and social media. Naturally, they don’t like anything that lets people get around this censorship. This is also the case in China, where the government has been fortifying its “Great Firewall” to prevent VPN access. The solution is to just choose a good VPN provider located outside China that won’t get blocked.

In general, you don’t have anything to worry about when using a VPN, especially for the purpose of protecting your privacy. Of course, you should be familiar with and abide by the laws in your own country, but we have not seen anything to indicate otherwise, aside from the noteworthy examples above.

The Final Checklist

Choosing a good VPN is all about your individual needs. Here are the most important considerations when looking to purchase a top-tier VPN service:

Server Network – Having access to a worldwide network of VPN servers is important for a variety of reasons – from accessing blocked content to purchasing cheaper flight tickets. See if you can find the real-time server load on the VPN website. Some VPN providers, such as Perfect Privacy, will even show you their real-time server stats.

Logs – Does your VPN service provider keep logs? If so, what kind – usage or connection logs? If you’re serious about privacy, try to find a truly “zero logs” VPN provider. (Also, be careful of some VPN providers that have automatic data sharing options built into their applications – ExpressVPN and VyprVPN are two examples.)

Encryption Protocols – Which encryption protocols does the VPN offer? OpenVPN is considered one of the most secure VPN protocol with solid speed and performance. IKEv2 is also very good. Try to avoid using the PPTP protocol, which has known security risks.

Multiple Devices and Compatibility – Check to see how many devices are supported with the VPN plan. Can you connect your computer, phone, and tablet all at the same time? Most VPNs offer 3-5 connections per subscription (but some offer an unlimited number of connections). Does the VPN software work on all the devices you want to use (Windows/Mac/Android/iOS/Linux/routers)?

Support – What kind of support comes with the VPN? Access to live chat support is helpful if you run into problems or need tips on optimizing the VPN performance. But 24/7 ticket-based support also works well.

Speed – Nothing’s more frustrating than slow internet. So look for a VPN provider that has a reputation for great speed and performance. See if you can locate a server status page for your VPN provider. This indicates how free (or clogged) their servers are, which greatly affects speed and reliability.

Price – With the quality of a VPN service, you typically get what you pay for. You can expect to pay between $5 and $12 per month for a good VPN. Yearly subscriptions are usually much cheaper than paying month to month. Most VPNs also provide a cancellation/money-back guarantee within a certain time window if you aren’t satisfied.

Security – Protecting your privacy and security is one of the main reasons people us a VPN. You can test out any VPN for IPv4 and IPv6 leaks, DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and MS leaks all on this security checks page. Here are some important security considerations when choosing a VPN:

• Does the VPN protect/support IPv6?
• Does it offer firewall and DNS leak protection features?
• Where is the company physically located (jurisdiction)?
• What are the company’s policies for protecting customer information?

Closing Thoughts – Have Fun

Right now governments everywhere are spying on their own citizens, enforcing harsh censorship laws, and enacting Orwellian (thought police) internet regulations. Corporations such as Google and Facebook are also taking as much of your data and personal information as they can, and then selling it to third parties or using it to create advertisements. So naturally, it’s easy to get discouraged with the direction things are heading.

But there’s good news. Using a VPN can help you break free from the censorship, spying, and all the other annoying restrictions put in place by online gatekeepers. It will also provide you with much-needed security when you go online.

In short, VPNs are a tremendous resource to keep your internet experience unrestricted, private, secure, and most importantly… fun. Now get out there and use this wonderful technology to your advantage!

P.S. If you want our top VPN recommendations, check out the Best VPN List.