There are now numerous VPN providers, making finding the perfect fit demanding, even if you’re tech-savvy. After all, you don’t want to spend your money on a service provider that’ll fail to deliver.
Still, you need a VPN if you’re going to mask your IP address, conceal internet activities, and hide your location from prying eyes each time you connect your device to the internet.
So, what you need to focus on is choosing the right VPN that meets all your requirements. Of course, you’re wondering what these requirements are. Well, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore ten requirements you need to consider when choosing the right VPN while telling you everything else you need to know.
What is A VPN?
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that protects your online presence and privacy. Reliable sources show that it works by encrypting your data and location and sending them through a ‘tunnel’ that prevents unwanted access.
You can say that it’s a private network that reroutes your data to a private network, cloaks everything you do on the internet, and where you do these things.
What Are the Ten Requirements for Choosing a Good VPN?
If you’re to enjoy the benefits of a VPN, then you’ll need to choose a good one. Here are the requirements for choosing a good VPN.
1. Kill Switch
A good VPN uses a kill switch to protect your data privacy by immediately cutting off your internet access if your device disconnects from one of its servers. That way, you’ll be unable to continue surfing the internet without your VPN connection.
It’s a great feature because you may be unaware that something has disconnected you from your VPN server. But with the kill switch, it automatically switches off your internet connection until you can join a VPN server again.
2. No Log Policy
You need to get a VPN that has a no-log policy if you’re to maintain your privacy. A good VPN does not keep records of your personal information, the sites you visit, or even your location when you connect to one of its servers.
That way, it protects your privacy from your Internet Service Providers, government agencies, apps, social media hubs, and any other person who may be looking to pry. A no-log policy is your VPN provider’s way of giving you a full-on private experience.
3. Fast Internet Connection
Another requirement you should look out for in a good VPN is its internet speed. That you’re connected to a VPN shouldn’t give rise to a slow internet connection, and your VPN has a lot to do with it.
Your internet connection may get slower the further the location you choose. However, a good VPN must fight that and provide you with a fast internet speed. So, when you are choosing a VPN, consider its internet speed, even for long-distance locations.
4. Multiple Smart Devices
Internet access is no longer limited to just mobile phones. Nowadays, you can connect just about any smart device to the internet seamlessly. However, it exposes you to more areas of privacy invasion. Hence, you’ll have to consider VPN for your mobile phones and your iPad, computer, and even smart television, if you have one.
As it stands, the moment you connect any device to your internet service provider or a public Wi-Fi, you’re exposing your location, data privacy, and browsing history to them. Hence, you should ensure that you have a good VPN that accommodates your smart devices.
Not all VPNs provide this service, so you’ll be doing yourself a favor by first inquiring before committing to one.
5. Rock Solid Encryption
A good VPN uses encryption to create a secure passage between two computers without cutting off their internet connection. It encrypts your public key and sends it to the system you’re communicating with. On their part, they’ll use a private key to decrypt the message. That way, no third party can intercept your communications.
Rock-solid encryption has a 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman or DH key, one of the highest and most secure. A VPN with military-grade encryption of that magnitude will protect your privacy to the maximum, and you should look out for it when choosing one.
6. It Must Protect Your Location
The essence of an excellent VPN is not limited to just data protection and privacy. It must also make your location inaccessible to internet service providers, whether public or private.
Typically, it does this by changing your location or cloaking it and preventing random people from accessing it. Most VPNs provide diverse locations, and you can choose the one that best suits you.
However, if you’re using a free VPN, you’ll have limited options. If you want access to unlimited locations, you’ll have to pay for your VPN, albeit at a substantial fee. But essentially, you can choose a place that portrays you to be elsewhere.
Access to vast locations isn’t only great for protecting your privacy; it also gives you automatic access to some services that may not be available to your region.
7. 24/7 Support
You may have a question or two for your VPN providers, and a good one will always be available to satisfy you. If you’re like a lot of other users that stay up late to surf the internet, then you’ll need a VPN provider that’ll be able to keep up with your timeframe. Questions and complaints can pop up anytime, and a good VPN provider will have systems in place to satisfy you at any given time.
8. Money-Back Guarantee
It’ll be a great idea to test-run your VPN for a while before you fully commit to it. A good VPN provider makes sure that you have a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied after some time. You also need a reliable one that’ll refund you if that happens.
Money-back guarantee varies from one VPN provider to another, so ensure you choose one that gives you enough time to test its services.
9. User-Friendliness
This is an essential requirement because it makes it possible to navigate the VPN and use its services. VPNs are usually straightforward with their features that even new users can find their way around with, ease. It is just as seamless as opening the app, choosing a suitable location, and turning on the VPN.
However, some VPNs are not as straightforward as that. So, you will have to double-check to see that yours has a simple user interface you can workaround.
10. It Must Have a Home Country with Privacy-Friendly Laws
You also need to consider the laws of your VPN provider’s home country. For example, some countries are so invasive of data privacy that they require their internet service providers and VPN providers to collect and submit information about their users.
You may not be as protected as you think if you choose a VPN like this because it entirely defeats the purpose of privacy. So, when you choose a VPN, we suggest you look up what country it comes from and the laws surrounding the privacy of its citizens.
Why Do You Need A VPN?
Everyone needs a VPN for an essential purpose – to protect your privacy. However, a good VPN offers more than that. If you weren’t aware, there are several other benefits of using a VPN, and we’ll discuss them subsequently.
1. It Protects Your Privacy
Privacy protection is the essence of a VPN. You may not know it, but your private data, location, and online activities are easily accessible by your Internet Service Provider and anyone who hacks into their system. As such, they can make money off your privacy by selling your information to advertising agencies and the government.
But with a VPN, you can be assured that it’ll be impossible to track your internet activities and location because it secures your IP address.
2. It Removes Restrictions
There are some blocked or restricted sites on the internet. You may also be unable to access some websites on the internet because of your location. However, you can beat the restrictions and access just about any website you want with a VPN.
3. It Provides Some Internet Anonymity
Everyone has an IP address that is peculiar to their phone. It’s what Internet Service Providers use to identify your device. However, if they can identify your device, it means some other people can too.
So, you can buy yourself some online anonymity by getting a VPN. Remember, not everyone needs to find out who and where you are.
4. Access To More Movies and TV Shows
If you enjoy streaming movies and TV shows, you must know that there are restrictions particular to regions. If you want to defeat them, you can download a VPN. Additionally, using a VPN to stream your favorite, shows unlock even more for you, as you’ll have access to movies in your region and other locations you choose.
In Conclusion
If you’re to enjoy unrestricted internet access, anonymity, and data protection, then what you need is a good VPN. As you have seen, choosing one is also very easy once you know what you’re looking out for.
Well, in case you’re still wondering what to go for, one top-notch option is BlufVPN. It’s the embodiment of a good VPN, and it meets all the requirements with its unique features and services.
So, what are you waiting for? You can now get a VPN today and enjoy the best experience ever!