When searching for a good VPN to use, the first criteria we search for is the level of privacy and security this VPN service offers. Now in order to know which VPN is better than the other and filter our selection, we need to focus our search on a few very specific features to be able to point out the best VPNs for privacy and security. In this article we will be discussing these features for every VPN that made it to the final round. First we have to be aware of the dangers of not having a good VPN and what it means to browse the internet without proper shadowing of our information.

Imagine sitting in a café or public library, minding your own business and browsing the internet and probably inputting your personal information to subscribe to a service or purchase something online. Now imagine all the people in that place looking over your shoulder and watching everything you’re doing and knowing everything you know. This is exactly how it feels when you access your internet without the proper security (VPN). All your information, browsing habits, location, payment info, etc. can be viewed very easily by unwanted parties, especially hackers and fishers. Not only that, but they can have the power to alter what you’re doing by applying restrictions on certain websites, throttling with your internet speed, selling your information to marketing companies, and many more horrifying actions.

By downloading and using a suitable VPN service you will be able to avoid all that since the main purpose of VPNs is completely hiding your identity online which makes you basically a ghost on the internet. No one will be able to monitor your actions what so ever, hence complete freedom. To understand how that is done, it’s very simple. VPNs hide your Identity using the following methods:

• Scrambling your IP which means, to people who try to monitor you, you will seem to be somewhere completely different and someone completely different by having a completely different IP than your real one to keep your identity anonymous.
• Encrypting the data sent and received from your device so that even if they do penetrate your hidden IP, they won’t be able to read any of the information being used. There are many methods of encryption (IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, SSL/TLS, PPTP,etc.). These are all different methods or protocols used for the encryption of your data or in some cases the encryption of the virtual tunnel your data is travelling through.
• Of course the VPN client itself would have access to this information since they are the ones responsible for hiding it, however most clients have very strict minimal to no logs policies in the sense that they never keep the information to themselves so that even they cannot use it or cause it to accidentally fall into the wrong hands.

Now that the importance of having a VPN is understood, and since there are unlimited different names out there, we need to look at the important features in these different names and which of these are the best VPNs for privacy and security. We were able to filter out the top 4 best VPNs for privacy and security in 2017. Here we go.

Top 4 VPNs for Privacy and Security:

AirVPN

AirVPN started back in 2010 by a small group of activists and lawyers with the intention of providing complete online privacy and security for its users. Now, with a lot of hard work and dedication, it has become one of the top names in the market when it comes to VPNs for privacy and security. Here is why.

Logs Policy:

AirVPN have a very strict no logs policy. In other words they keep no information what so ever regarding your internet usage as to maintain your complete secrecy.

Encryption:

They use OpenVPN encryption protocol which is the safest and most advanced encryption protocol. Adding to that a second layer of encryption (SSL or SSH), however it is more recommended to use the SSL as it is more advanced.

IP Scrambling and Servers:

When AirVPN started they only had 2 dedicated servers in 1 country which didn’t quite give you that many options to choose from when it comes to changing your IP. Now they own 80 servers spread across 16 countries in 3 continents. This helped to provide its users with dedicated IP’s to guarantee total location invisibility. Not only that, but also you will be able to access more geo-restricted sites from basically anywhere in the world (you could be in Thailand, sipping on a cold cocktail on the beach and access a site restricted only to users inside the US).

Other Features:

The application comes built in with a kill switch and DNS protection features which add to the total safety, security and privacy of your internet session.

Come to think of it, these guys have really come a long way in such a short time making themselves one of the most trustworthy VPNs for privacy and security.

LiquidVPN

We have come across this name multiple times when searching for the best VPNs for privacy and security. What we have noticed the most is that they continuously try to stay as unique as possible from their competitors. They do that by providing their users with numerous features to maintain their trust. Let’s take a look at the main features related to it being one of the highly recommended VPNs for privacy and security.

Logs Policy:

Apparently one of their main focus points is having a very strict no logs policy and they guarantee that through having their own LiquidDNS which is an encrypted zero log SMART DNS service.

Encryption:

LiquidVPN uses the most advanced encryption protocol which is OpenVPN. It also supports OpenVPN over TCP and UDP. In addition to that, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP and PPTP. All connections are 256-bit AES encrypted, which is the strongest method of encryption available. Knowing that is enough to make it trustworthy to hit the list of best VPNs for privacy and security.

IP Scrambling and Servers:

They own a large network of servers spread strategically across 10 regions around the world. They are continuously searching for expansions to be able to provide their users with countless IP addresses to hide within in order to guarantee complete vanishing from unwanted eyes. Adding to that, giving access to its users to more and more geo-restricted sites.

Other Features:

They provide a 7-day/5GB money back guarantee to give their new subscribers an ease of mind and not being afraid to pay for something and regret it in the future. This point in specific gives users a trust boost when it comes to choosing VPNs for privacy and security.

Despite not having as much servers as some of its top competitors, yet LiquidVPN has compensated for that in its performance when it comes to comparing it between VPNs for privacy and security. Their continuous expansions and their dedication truly show a promising future.

ExpressVPN

When talking about VPNs for privacy and security, ExpressVPN has always ranked at the top of the lists. Not only for that, but for any purpose of a good VPN that we can think of. It is definitely one of the biggest names in the market. There are numerous reasons for this, from the number of servers to high levels of encryption and all the way to the high speeds guaranteed.  Here are the main focus points when it comes to privacy and security.

Logs Policy:

ExpressVPN are very transparent about their logs policy as they specify exactly what information is kept (Date of connection to service, choice of VPN server location, and total amount of data transferred per day) and none of this information can identify you as it does not contain your IP address or time stamps. They also mention the reason they keep the information which is to enhance your experience with the service and make sure you are always getting the best out of what you paid for. This is very assuring of them. We can always trust an honest company.

Encryption:

When it comes to encryption, ExpressVPN gives you 2 options to choose from; either to have the app select automatically an encryption protocol, which is the most optimal for your speed and security, or you can choose between different protocols manually (OpenVPN over UDP, OpenVPN over TCP, L2TP/IPSec or PPTP) which are all very strong encryption protocols. In fact, they are the strongest encryption protocols available. Their network is SSL secured with a 256-bit encryption.

IP Scrambling and Servers:

Express VPN is known to have one of the biggest network of servers in the market (over a thousand servers spread across 145 cities in 94 countries around the world) meaning unlimited options of IP’s and guaranteed access from anywhere in the world (no restrictions).

Other Features:

There are many more features that come with ExpressVPN like the ability to connect 3 devices simultaneously, 24/7 customer service through web chat and emails, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

All the above features and many more are a good enough reason to make ExpressVPN a highly considerable choice between VPNs for privacy and security.

IbVPN

IbVPN is definitely one of the leading names when it comes to VPNs for privacy and security as the app is packed with amazing features to ensure your complete invisibility while browsing the internet. Clearly these guys are extremely dedicated to the cause and believe in our rights to total privacy. Here are a few facts, or let’s call them “need to know” points when considering which VPN you can rely on.

Logs Policy:

Similar to ExpressVPN, IbVPN are very open with their logs privacy policy as they clearly state that the information kept is highly for technical purposes to maintain the well-being of your internet security and speed. They don’t keep any personal information that can give away your identity. Again, honesty wins the trust.

Encryption:

IbVPN uses the strongest protocols for encryption including OpenVPN over UDP and TCP, L2TP, SSTP, SoftEther and IPSec VPN protocols. This makes it one of the safest VPNs for privacy and security in the market.

IP Scrambling and Servers:

With a big name comes a big network of servers with over 100 servers spread across 63 locations in 47 countries all over the world. This means almost no geo-restrictions what so ever and endless hiding IP’s.

Other Features:

Some of the features worth mentioning to furthermore put your mind at ease when it comes to VPNs for privacy and security include a built in kill switch, Smart DNS, Tor over VPN to be able to use torrents through your VPN connection, and many more features.

IbVPN has definitely been able to make a big name in the market and that’s just due to its extremely high performance and countless features. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to stay away from unwanted suspicious eyes and IbVPN is perfect just for that.

Conclusion

There are many names out there when it comes to VPNs for privacy and security and they all serve the same purpose which is protecting your right to privacy online. What differs is how strong they are when it comes to protecting you. This is what matters the most. The strength of their encryption, disbursement of servers, privacy policy dedication and stealth features are what differentiate between reliable and unreliable VPNs for privacy and security. You have to focus on these points the most when choosing the suitable VPN for you.