In August 2016 in Pakistan, a bill came into law referred to as “Prevention of Electronic Crimes” bill. This law gives authorities in Pakistan the right to perform a complete surveillance on all internet users and also detain any internet user that remotely tries to access any restricted websites. Pakistan has a relatively high level of online censorship which is mostly due to political reasons (any websites that display content that opposes the government is blocked). People who are not that aware of the circumstances in Pakistan can easily get into trouble without realizing what they have done. This is why it is very critical for all internet users, whether they are residents or pass byers, to find a way to stay completely anonymous while browsing the internet and at the same time have access to any restricted website.
In other words, all internet users need a suitable VPN that mainly focuses on protecting its users’ online privacy, security, and freedom. The main features of a VPN that are responsible for this are summarized into a few points; firstly the level of security provided by the VPN service which consists of the level of encryption used to secure the network of servers and the security protocols supported by the VPN service. The network of servers of a VPN provides its users with shared IP’s, once a connection is established between the user and the server, which replaces their true IP hence hiding their true online identity. If this connection is made to a server outside of Pakistan, this will give the user the ability to bypass any online restriction inside Pakistan. Last but not least are some additional features which differ slightly from one VPN provider to another.
According to these points, we were able to distinguish between the reliable and the unreliable VPNs available. Of course there are countless of names for good VPN, but when we focus on what exactly is needed out of the VPN, in the case of Pakistan, we were able to run a more thorough filtration process. We were able to shortlist the top 3 most suitable VPNs for the situation in Pakistan.
Best VPNs for the Pakistan
PureVPN
PureVPN started back in 2007 in Hong Kong with as little as 2 server locations, over the years it expanded in both its network and the online security and privacy features it provides to its users. It took the VPN competition to a whole new level with its unmatched capabilities. This is why it was recommended in several challenges around the world and was an undeniable recommendation for the situation in Pakistan.
Level of Security
- Network is secured with a 256-bit encryption
- Multiple security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2)
- Additional security features include Automatic Protocol Selection, Wi-Fi Security, Internet Kill Switch, NAT Firewall, and DDoS Protection
Network of Servers
- Over 750 servers spread across 141 countries around the world
- This network provides its users with more than 88,000 shared IP’s and the availability for the users to request a dedicated IP
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 3 simultaneous connections
- No logs of online activities kept
- Split tunneling
- 7-day money back guarantee
BVPN
BVPN started operating from the Netherlands in 2014 with one main goal to focus on. Its main goal was to provide users with the most advanced and innovative online security, privacy and freedom features in the market. Over the years it has never slowed down until it reached this goal. Even today it is still continuously expanding and upgrading its features to keep its high rank among its competitors. This is why it has been recommended in the toughest situations around the world and the situation in Pakistan is definitely no match for it.
Level of Security
- Entire network is secured with a military grade 256-bit encryption
- Multiple advanced and unique security protocols supported (OpenVPN with UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, SSH, and its very own Smoke Tunnel)
- Additional security features include Internet Kill Switch, IPv6 Leak Protection, and Public Wi-Fi Security
Network of Servers
- More than 20 strategically placed worldwide server locations
- This network is continuously expanding
- Each server provides its users with countless shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- No logs kept
- 7-day money back guarantee
NordVPN
Based in Panama, NordVPN was officially launched in 2012. It is known for its dedication to the cause of protecting its users’ online privacy and security. This is why it provides its users with both standard and customized solutions to meet all its users’ needs. The features provided are extremely competitive in the VPN market today and are what made it a premium VPN service provider. It is definitely a great recommendation for Pakistan.
Level of Security
- An AES 256-bit SHA encryption is used to secure the network
- Multiple advanced security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2)
- Additional security features include Double Data Encryption, Automatic Kill Switch, DNS Leak Resolver, Anti-DDoS Server, and Onion over VPN
Network of Servers
- Network consists of over 1034 locations spread across 59 countries all over the globe
- This network provides the users with thousands of shared IP’s and the availability of dedicated IP’s
- There are optimized servers for different purposes (e.g. Ultra-Fast TV servers which are optimized for video streaming as they deliver high connection speeds)
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- Smart Play
- No logs kept
- 3-day free trial and 30-day money back guarantee
Conclusion
Pakistan can be categorized as one of the dangerous online environments however authorities are not yet able to track down the usage of alternative methods to bypass restrictions or to protect online privacy (VPNs). This is why a VPN is the most suitable solution for all internet users in Pakistan who are keen on protecting their online privacy and security and at the same time enjoying complete online freedom without any censorship.
