The Philippines has always been know to be one of the countries in which people enjoy complete online freedom. All that started to change gradually ever since the introduction of the Cybercrime Prevention Act in 2012. This law, on paper, seem harmless and even very useful. However, if history taught us anything, any law that is supposedly meant to protect the citizens’ online safety, is just a coverup used to enable the government the power to spy on its citizens, and block any online contents that oppose, in anyway, their views. In other words, these types of laws are usually understood by netizens as an excuse to take away their online freedom and online privacy. Activists and netizens in the Philippines are even referring to it as “Cyber Martial Law”. To be fair, this is not always the case, but in most similar situations around the world, this is what happens. For that reason, internet users in the Philippines are advised to start taking the necessary precautions to protect their online privacy and online freedom. These precautions are simply translated into acquiring a VPN service. A VPN service is the only answer available that combines all 3 purposes which are protecting the users’ online freedom, online privacy, and online security. Now in order to understand how a VPN will help in the situation in the Philippines, we need to briefly understand how they operate.
Online Freedom
A VPN service provider usually operates a network of servers, which is accessible by all its users or subscribers. This network allows users to bypass any local online restrictions by simply connecting to any of the servers located outside of their country and in a country that does not have the same restrictions. Any restrictions in a country is usually ordered by the government and implemented through the local ISP. If the user connects to another server operated by the VPN instead of that operated by the ISP, this will allow the user to bypass the restrictions implemented by the ISP. Another advantage of being able to connect to other servers from around the world, is that they can bypass geo-restrictions placed by certain websites (for example, BBC iPlayer can only be accessed from inside the UK) by choosing to connect to a server inside the country of the website (in the example of BBC iPlayer, if a user wants to access it from the Philippines, they can simply choose to connect to a server located inside the UK). Another feature that comes with most high-end VPN services, which is also related to online freedom, is the tunneling protocols, which disguise the users online traffic, using a high level encryption, and make it appear as normal traffic and not any content that could be blocked hence penetrating any firewalls placed by the government.
Online Privacy
Many of the features related to online privacy are interrelated to online freedom in the sense that they are related to the connection established between the user and the VPN server. To be more specific, once this connection is established, the user’s true IP address is automatically replaced with one of the server’s shared IP’s. This procedure completely hides the user’s online identity. The second interrelated feature is the tunneling protocol which prevents any unwanted snoopers to view any data being transmitted between the user and the VPN servers. Last but not least, the highly trusted VPN service providers have very strict “no logs” policies as in they do not record nor keep logs of any of their users’ online activities or browsing history. These features ensure complete online privacy for the VPN users.
Online Security
The features related to online security include a high level encryption, which can sometimes reach military grade, used to secure the network of servers. The level and type of encryption used can differ between one provider and the other. The VPN applications that come with the service usually support multiple security protocols, the most common of which is the OpenVPN protocol. These protocols also differ between different providers. In addition to that, different VPN providers offer their users different additional security features to further secure their online experience.
This is briefly how a VPN works to ensure its users’ online freedom, privacy, and security. When finding the most suitable VPNs for the Philippines, we need to focus on all 3 points and the features related to them. This made our selection process a little more difficult as there are countless of names in the VPN market today. When we undertook a more detailed filtration process, we were able to select the 3 most suitable and most recommended VPNs for the Philippines.
Best VPNs for the Philippines
BVPN
BVPN started operating from the Netherlands in 2014. Ever since it was launched and it has been racing up the ranks to become one of the strongest VPN services available today among all its competitors in the market. The very unique features it provides are unmatched and in a matter of 3 years only it successfully climbed to the top of the list in several occasions and comparisons. Today it is being recommended in the darkest and toughest online zones around the world and this is why it is an easy choice to highly recommend it for the Philippines.
Level of Security
- Network is secured with a military grade 256-bit encryption
- Multiple advanced and unique security protocols supported (OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, SSH, and its very own Smoke Tunnel)
Additional Security Features
- Internet Kill Switch
- IPv6 Leak Protection
- Public Wi-Fi Security
Network of Servers
- More than 20 strategically placed server locations around the world
- The network is being regularly expanded and upgraded
- Each server is able to provide the users with countless regularly rotated shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- “Fastest Server” automatic server selection
- No logging of online traffic
- 7-day money back guarantee
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is owned by the large online security company, Golden Frog, which is based in Switzerland. These 2 facts alone give a pretty clear idea about how serious this provider is regarding online freedom, online security, and online privacy. It has succeeded over the years in providing its users with the most advanced features and measures to ensure that the trust is always strong between it and its users. This is why it has become one of the most popular names in the VPN industry and is why it is being recommended for the Philippines.
Level of Security
- A 256-bit encryption is used to secure the entire Golden Frog network
- Advanced security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and its very own Chameleon)
Additional Security Features
- Internet Kill Switch
- Block Malicious Websites
- NAT Firewall
Network of Servers
- More than 700 servers in over 70 worldwide locations, spread across 6 continents
- All servers are 100% owned by Golden Frog (no third parties)
- This network is capable of providing its users with more than 200,000 shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- “Fastest Server” automatic server selection
- Zero Knowledge VyprDNS service (No logs kept)
- 3-day free trial
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN officially started operating in 2009 from the British Virgin Islands. Today it is considered one of the most successful VPN providers available. Its name has become a high end brand in the market due to its competitive features and how it has always been a very vocal advocate for online privacy and online freedom. This is why it has always been a highly recommended solution for the toughest online situations around the world as is definitely a highly considerable option for the Philippines.
Level of Security
- The network is SSL secured with a 256-bit encryption
- Multiple security protocols supported (OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and SSTP)
Additional Security Features
- Network Lock Kill Switch
- Wi-Fi Security
Network of Servers
- More than 1000 servers in 145 cities, spread across 94 countries around the world
- Each server provides the users with thousands of shared IP’s
Additional Features
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switching
- Up to 3 simultaneous connections
- Built-in speed test
- No logs kept
- 30-day money back guarantee
Conclusion
Until this moment the situation in the Philippines does not seem that threatening compared to several of its neighboring countries in South East Asia, yet it is always better to stay prepared. Since it was even considered to implement a law related to cybercrimes, we can not be very trusting. Despite all that, having a VPN in the Philippines, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, is the best way to always keep our online experience free, private, and secure. This is why, when it comes to using the internet in the Philippines, we highly recommend using one of the above 3 top-rated VPNs. The most recommended of which would be BVPN.
One thought on “Best VPNs for the Philippines (2017)”
ViperSocks – fast, secure and the best VPN Residential service for Google Chrome. Strong encryption, access to blocked content and complete anonymity.
Our application – The Best VPN Residential Solutions App for MacOS, Android, Windows, iOS and your Internet security.
ViperSocks – uses the best encryption of your connection through our secure proxy servers all over the world. Owing to the extension for Google Chrome, you can easily ensure full anonymity for yourself, hide your history of search queries, and get unlimited access to blocked resources.
The extension for the ViperSocks browser has a simple and intuitive interface that will allow you to get in seconds:
– Full access to all Internet resources and sites
Discover a visit to Facebook, VKontakte, Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, BBC iPlayer, Reddit, LinkedIn, Pandora, Amazon, eBay, Craigslist, Oodle, GumTree, Locanto, online theaters and many other resources with one click of your mouse. Choose one of the many servers around the world and unlock access to resources bypassing censorship, geographical restrictions in any place convenient for you.
– Complete security and privacy
Completely hide your traffic from your Internet provider. By changing your IP address, you ensure the confidentiality of your data on the Internet (including all logins, passwords, bank card data, personal photos, browsing history and much more). ViperSocks is your barrier to work safely through public Internet at work, school and other public places.
– Access to regional content
Our VPN Residential uses regional servers that allow you to be located anywhere in the world (including the US, France, Eritrea, North Korea, China, Japan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Iran, Myanmar, Cuba, the Netherlands, the UK and many others). By selecting one of these servers, you are in the chosen country, and you get full access to resources all over the world.
– Browse adult content
Get full anonymity and security while using sites for adults. ViperSocks provides full anonymity while browsing similar sites. No one can know that you have visited such sites.
– Bypassing price discrimination on the Internet
By changing your IP address, you can save a lot on buying games on Steam, renting cars, paying software and much more.
– Fingerprint protection
Avoid any fingerprint WebRTC, WebGL, Canvas, DNS, GeoLocation leaks and obtain Fake browser name, Fake browser language, Block Adobe Flash, Block Google Analytics, Block banners and ads, Block social buttons, Block request referer for a good privacy.
Why should you choose ViperSocks?
ViperSocks is the best VPN Residential service for Google Chrome, which provides reliability and security to the Internet to a huge number of users from all over the world. Using modern technologies and reliable methods of encryption, anyone can get unlimited access to any resource. We provide high speed of connection, complete confidentiality of your data and round-the-clock support for all our users.
Visit : https://www.vipersocks.net/