mona Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Best VPN 2018 February 24, 2018 by Sven Taylor With all the alarming developments in mass surveillance, ISP spying, online censorship, and content restrictions, you are probably looking for the best VPN to stay safe online. But be careful! To find the best VPN, you’ll need to watch out for VPN scams, VPNs that lie about logs (PureVPN), VPNs that leak IP addresses (VPN Unlimited), and even malicious VPNs with hidden tracking libraries (Betternet). So tread carefully my friends. The rankings of the best VPN services below are based on extensive test results to check for IP address leaks, DNS leaks, connection issues, app performance, reliability, speed, and whether the features work correctly. Additionally, I also considered company policies, jurisdiction, logging practices, and the trustworthiness of the provider. Best VPNs 2018 Now we will take a deep dive into the top five best VPN services for 2018, discussing the pros, cons, features, and testing results for every provider. ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is a trusted and highly-recommended service that remains one of the best all-around VPNs on the market. It is based in the British Virgin Islands and offers a great lineup of applications for all devices. Extensive testing for the ExpressVPN review found the apps to be very secure, with exceptional performance throughout the server network. ExpressVPN is also a service that continues to get better. In the past six months they have made significant improvements to their apps to protect users against rare leak scenarios. These efforts culminated in the public release of their leak testing tools, which can be used to test any VPN for flaws/failures (open source and available on GitHub). ExpressVPN’s logging policies (only anonymized stats) were recently put to the test when authorities in Turkey seized one of their servers to obtain user data. But no customer data was affected as authorities were not able to obtain any logs (further explained here). This event showed that ExpressVPN remains true to its core mission of protecting customer privacy and data. ExpressVPN is also one of the best VPN providers you will find for streaming. Whether you are using a VPN with Kodi or streaming Netflix with a VPN, ExpressVPN offers applications to support all devices as well as a high-bandwidth network with great performance. Their support is also superb, with 24/7 live chat assistance and a 30 day money-back guarantee. Exclusive discount – ExpressVPN is currently offering an exclusive 49% discount on select plans, which reduces the monthly rate down to $6.67 (the non-discount price is $8.32 per month). ExpressVPN Windows client. + Pros User-friendly and reliable apps Exceptional speeds throughout the server network 30 day money-back guarantee Split tunneling feature (for Mac OS, Windows, and routers) Great for Netflix and other streaming services Strong encryption and leak protection settings 24/7 live chat support – Cons Apps collect anonymized connection stats, but users can opt out (IP addresses not logged) Perfect Privacy After testing out many different VPN services, Perfect Privacy holds the top spot as the best VPN for advanced online anonymity. You may have never heard of Perfect Privacy because they largely ignore marketing and instead focus on providing a high quality, privacy-focused service with very advanced features. Nonetheless, this is a well-respected VPN provider that has earned high praise from the tech community for exposing massive vulnerabilities with other VPNs. Their network is composed entirely of dedicated servers that provide you with fast speeds, great reliability, and plenty of bandwidth at all times (you can see real-time server bandwidth here). They have also passed real-world tests when two of their servers were seized by Dutch authorities last year. However, no customer data was affected due to no logs and all servers operating in RAM disk mode with nothing being saved on the server. For features they offer multi-hop VPN chains, advanced firewall configuration options (DNS and IP leak protection), port forwarding, NeuroRouting, Socks5 and Squid proxies, obfuscation features to defeat VPN blocking (Stealth VPN), and a customizable TrackStop feature to block tracking, malware, advertising and social media domains. They also give you an unlimited number of device connections and offer full IPv6 support (giving you both an IPv4 and IPv6 address). While Perfect Privacy offers very advanced features that you won’t find anywhere else, it also comes with a Swiss price tag at €8.95 per month. Additionally, these advanced features may be overkill for some users, especially if you are new to VPNs. Nonetheless, for those seeking the highest levels of online anonymity, security, and overall performance, Perfect Privacy is a solid choice. The Perfect Privacy Windows client, using a four-hop VPN cascade. + Pros Unlimited number of device connections Multi-hop VPN chains, up to 4 servers (self-configurable) NeuroRouting (dynamic, server-side multi-hop that can be used with all devices) Absolutely no logs without any restrictions Dedicated servers operating only in RAM disk mode Full IPv6 support (provides both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses) Customizable firewall/port-forwarding options TrackStop advertisement, tracking, and malware blocker – Cons Higher price Full VPN Manager client not available for Mac OS (but BETA client available, along with other installation options) VPN.ac VPN.ac is Romania-based VPN service with excellent overall quality for a very reasonable price. It was created by a team of network security professionals with a focus on security, strong encryption, and high-quality applications. Their VPN network is composed entirely of dedicated servers with secure, self-hosted DNS. VPN.ac’s server network provides you with great speeds and reliability (see the review for details). Performance is maximized with reliable applications and excellent bandwidth on their network at all times. (You can see their real-time bandwidth stats by selecting VPN Nodes Status at the top of the website.) For a lower-priced VPN service, VPN.ac offers an impressive lineup of features: maximum encryption strength, obfuscation features, double-hop VPN server configurations, and a secure proxy browser extension. All support inquiries are handled internally by the network security professionals who built the infrastructure. The one drawback I found is that VPN.ac maintains connection logs – but all data is erased daily. , which they clearly explain on their website. When you consider everything in relation to the price, this is one of the best values you’ll find for a premium VPN service. The VPN.ac Windows client, using a double-hop configuration. + Pros High-security VPN server network (dedicated servers, with self-hosted encrypted DNS) Excellent speeds with lots of available bandwidth Multi-hop (double VPN) server configurations Obfuscation features – Cons Advanced encryption (7 available protocols) Low price for a very advanced VPN (good value) Connection logs (no activity, erased daily) NordVPN NordVPN is a popular no logs VPN service based in Panama. Just like with ExpressVPN, NordVPN is a service that has made significant improvements over the past year. It performed well in testing for the latest update to the NordVPN review. The NordVPN apps have undergone some great updates to further protect users against the possibility of data leaks, while also adding a newly-improved kill switch to block all non-VPN traffic. As another improvement, NordVPN has rolled out a CyberSec feature that blocks advertisements, tracking, and malicious domains. And finally, NordVPN continues to work with Netflix and other streaming services. NordVPN is a great choice for privacy-focused users. Aside from the Panama jurisdiction and no-logs policies, NordVPN also provides advanced online anonymity features. These include double-hop server configurations, Tor-over-VPN servers, and also a lineup of obfuscated servers to conceal VPN traffic. NordVPN’s customer service is also top-notch. They provide 24/7 live chat support directly through their website, and all plans come with a 30 day money-back guarantee. NordVPN discount – NordVPN is currently offering a massive 77% discount on select plans, which drops the monthly rate down to only $2.75. (This is significantly cheaper than their standard rate with the annual plan at $5.75 per month.) The NordVPN Windows client. + Pros User-friendly apps 30 day money-back guarantee Multi-hop (double VPN) server configurations 24/7 live chat support No logs Competitive price Ad blocking feature – Cons Variable speeds with some servers VPNArea VPNArea is not the biggest name in the VPN industry, but this Bulgaria-based provider did well in testing for the review. They take customer privacy very seriously, with a strict no logs policy, good privacy features, and Switzerland hosting for business operations. Being based in Bulgaria, they do not fall under data-retention or copyright violation laws, which further protects their users. Aside from being a privacy-focused service, VPNArea also offers numerous servers that are optimized for streaming and torrenting. It continues to work well with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu and others. Torrenting and P2P downloads are allowed without any restrictions. They continue to improve their service with new features, including obfuscation (Stunnel) and ad-blocking through their self-hosted DNS servers. VPNArea is also one of the few VPNs that offer dedicated IP addresses. VPNArea Windows client. + Pros Competitive price No logs Great for streaming and torrenting Ad-blocking DNS servers 6 simultaneous connections (which can be shared with others) Dedicated IP addresses available – Cons Apps are somewhat busy DNS leak protection must be manually configured # # # Considerations for finding the best VPN As we already discussed, choosing the best VPN all boils down to determining which factors you consider the most important. In other words, it’s a very subjective process. Here are seven important factors to consider: Test results – How well does the VPN perform in testing? This includes both performance testing (speed and reliability) and leak testing (IP leaks and DNS leaks). Privacy jurisdiction – Where the VPN is legally based affects customer privacy. Many people avoid VPNs based in the US and other surveillance countries for this reason. For more of a discussion on this topic, see the guide on Five Eyes / 14 Eyes and VPNs. Server network – Three considerations when examining VPN servers are quality, locations, and bandwidth. Some VPNs prioritize server quality, while others prioritize locations. Also, see if you can find a real-time server status page to get an idea of available bandwidth, which will indicate performance. Privacy features – One good privacy feature for more online anonymity is a multi-hop VPN configuration. This will encrypt your traffic across two or more servers, offering more protection against surveillance and targeted monitoring. Operating system – Be sure to check out if the VPN you are considering supports the operating system you will be using. Obfuscation – Obfuscation is a key feature if you are using a VPN in China or anywhere that VPNs may be blocked. Obfuscation is also key for school and work networks that may restrict VPN use. Company policies – It’s always good to read through the company policies to see if it’s a good fit. Privacy policies, refund policies, and torrenting policies are all good to consider before signing up. There are many other factors you may want to consider when selecting the best VPN – but this is a good starting point. Best VPN speed and performance Many people are wondering how to achieve the best VPN speed. Others are wondering which VPNs are fastest. If you are using a good VPN service, you really shouldn’t notice a huge reduction in speed. Of course, the extra work that goes into encrypting/decrypting your traffic across VPN servers will affect speed, but usually it’s not noticeable. To optimize your VPN speed and achieve better performance, here are some factors to consider: Internet service provider interference – Some ISPs interfere with or throttle VPN connections. This seems to be a growing problem. Solution: use a VPN with obfuscation features, which will conceal the VPN traffic as HTTPS. (Perfect Privacy with Stealth VPN, VPN.ac with the XOR protocol, and VyprVPN with the Chameleon protocol are all good options.) High latency – You can generally expect slower speeds when you connect to servers further from your location. Using multi-hop VPN configurations will also increase latency and slow things down. Solution: Use servers closer to your location. If you utilize a multi-hop VPN chain, select nearby servers to minimize latency. Server congestion – Many of the larger VPN services oversell their servers, resulting in congestion, minimal bandwidth, dropped connections, and slow speeds. All of the recommendations on this page performed well in testing and offer adequate bandwidth for good speed. For example, see the Perfect Privacy server page and the VPN.ac server page (VPN Nodes Status at the top). Antivirus or firewall software – Antivirus and third-party firewall software often interfere with and slows down VPNs. Some software will implement their firewall on top of the default (operating system) firewall, which slows everything down. Solution: Disable the third-party firewall, or add an exception/rule for the VPN software. WiFi interference – WiFi interference or problems are unrelated to the VPN, but it can make a difference in overall speed. Solution: It may not be convenient, but using a wired connection will improve speed and security. Processing power – Many devices don’t do well with the extra processing power that is needed for VPN encryption/decryption. This is especially the case with older computers, routers, and mobile devices. Solution: Switch devices or upgrade to a faster processor (higher CPU). Network setup – Some networks do not work well with certain VPN protocols. Solution: The best solution is to experiment with different VPN protocols and/or ports (OpenVPN UDP / TCP / ECC / XOR, IPSec, etc.). Some VPN providers also allow you to modify MTU size, which may improve speed. To achieve the best VPN speed possible, it’s a good idea to experiment with the different variables. Assuming the servers are not overloaded with users, the two main ways to optimize performance are choosing a nearby server with low latency and selecting the right protocol. As mentioned above, the best protocol may vary depending on your unique situation. Best VPN services for streaming Many people who enjoy streaming are turning to VPNs to unlock content that is blocked or restricted and also gain a higher level of privacy. As mentioned above, the best all-around VPN for streaming is ExpressVPN because it always works with Netflix and other streaming services, it offers a huge lineup of apps, and the customer support is great. Another solid choice for streaming is VPNArea. Using a VPN with Netflix will allow you to access all the content you want wherever you are located in the world. Below I am accessing US Netflix from my location in Europe, using an ExpressVPN server in Washington, D.C. VPNs to avoid in 2018 There are a lot of different VPNs on the market – so it’s a good idea to consider your choices carefully. The problem, however, is that the internet is full of disinformation concerning VPNs. Large sites are often paid lots of money to promote inferior services. But this is no secret. With that being said, here are some important details that many of the larger websites are hiding from their readers: PureVPN – PureVPN is recommended by some big websites, but there are many red flags. When testing everything for the PureVPN review, I found IPv4 leaks, IPv6 leaks, DNS leaks, broken features (kill switch) and a host of other speed and connection problems. Also concerning, I learned that PureVPN was caught logging user data and handing this information over to US authorities – all despite having a “zero log policy” and promising to protect user privacy. Betternet – Betternet is a Canada-based provider that is known for offering a free VPN service. Unfortunately, when I tested everything for the Betternet review I found the service to leak IP addresses (both IPv4 and IPv6) as well as and DNS requests. An academic research paper also listed Betternet as #4 on the Top 10 most malware-infected Android VPN apps, while also embedding tracking libraries in their apps. Scary stuff, considering that VPNs are supposed to provide privacy and security (but that’s why you don’t use a free VPN). Betternet’s Android VPN app tested positive for malware by 13 different antivirus tools (AV-rank 13) !!! Hotspot Shield – Hotspot Shield is another troublesome VPN service with a well-documented history or problems. Hotspot Shield VPN was directly identified in a research paper for “actively injecting JavaScript codes using iframes for advertising and tracking purposes” with their Android VPN app. The same study also found a large presence of tracking libraries in the VPN app’s source code. Hotspot Shield was also in the news for a critical flaw in their VPN app which reveals the user’s identity and location. Hidemyass – HideMyAss is a UK-based VPN provider with a troubling history. Despite promising to protect user privacy, HideMyAss was found to be turning over customer data to law enforcement agencies around the world. VPN Unlimited – Extensive testing of the VPN Unlimited apps identified numerous leaks. This screenshot illustrates IPv6 leaks, WebRTC leaks, and DNS leaks with the VPN Unlimited Windows client. Leaks with VPN Unlimited Of course, there are many examples of problematic VPNs. But you can test your VPN to also check for issues that may affect your privacy and security. If you’re serious about privacy and online freedom… Start using a VPN whenever you go online. In just the last few years we’ve seen a number of unprecedented developments in corporate and government mass surveillance: Internet service providers in the United States can now legally record online browsing history and sell this data to third parties and advertisers. Mass surveillance also continues unabated… Residents of the United Kingdom are having their online browsing history, calls, and text messages recorded for up to two years (Investigatory Powers Act). This private information is freely available to various government agencies and their global surveillance partners. Australia has also recently implemented mandatory data retention laws, which require the collection of text messages, calls, and internet connection data. Free speech and free thought are increasingly under attack all around the world. While this has traditionally been a problem in China and other Middle Eastern countries, it is increasingly common throughout the Western world. Here are a few examples fo what we see unfolding: YouTube videos that are blocked or censored. Social media accounts, tweets, posts, and/or entire platforms that are blocked. Websites of all different varieties (torrenting, Wikipedia, news, etc.) blocked. What you are seeing is the continual erosion of privacy and online freedom. And it’s happening throughout the world. The point here is not to sound alarmist, but instead to illustrate these trends and how they affect you. The good news is that there are very effective solutions for these problems. You can protect yourself right now with a good VPN and other privacy tools. Stay safe! Recap – Best VPNs for Privacy, Security, and Speed SOURCE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiski Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Very good information. Thank you. What good VPN in different countrys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fh Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I use VPN Unlimited. Works marvelously In Iran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togijak Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 @mona compare the given information with this site https://thatoneprivacysite.net/vpn-comparison-chart/ and this one https://www.privacytools.io/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Drake Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 On 3/12/2018 at 6:54 PM, jiski said: Very good information. Thank you. What good VPN in different countrys? For what are you looking to use the VPN for ? different VPNs deliver different level of performance with different applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliyx Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 100% security does not exist NordVPN 2-Years Subscription 69$ https://depot.xda-developers.com/sales/nordvpn-2-yr-subscription-2 More Deals you can find her https://stacksocial.com/collections/tag-cyber-security Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternalPurple Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Hi. Just found this thread, got curious about VPN's and did some research. Tried NordVPN and VPN.ac and I liked Nord better to my taste, but they both support Netflix so it is a plus. Currently I'm using the free trial and while they don't have a native Linux app, the speeds are great. Found a coupon code USENORD99 and wanted to share, maybe it will be of use to someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliyx Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Sign up & get 10% New customers only. Offer lasts 30 days. See Terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 The best comparison is from https://thatoneprivacysite.net/vpn-comparison-chart/ hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternalPurple Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 On 28/04/2018 at 9:22 PM, J.C said: The best comparison is from https://thatoneprivacysite.net/vpn-comparison-chart/ hands down. I like this one too: https://vpnspecial.com/comparison-table/, but yours is good also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 On 5/3/2018 at 5:51 AM, EternalPurple said: I like this one too: https://vpnspecial.com/comparison-table/, but yours is good also. I don't know, the comparison parameters they use is way too simple compared to "theoneprivacysite." Also, the first thing I see when I enter the site is a big ad for NordVPN, a review site that have ads for a given VPN provider, doesn't matter how bad or good it is, is a big NO for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEmpathicEar Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 What about TorGuard? This is what I used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togijak Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 4 hours ago, TheEmpathicEar said: What about TorGuard? This is what I used. https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2479420,00.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEmpathicEar Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 1 minute ago, Togijak said: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2479420,00.asp Their client is in ongoing development and getting better all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 I use cyberghost. i have paid subscription. It works well for me, so far no notices sent from my ISP for downing torrents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternalPurple Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Hey. Have you heard about new VPN called Surfshark VPN? It promises good speeds, Netflix compatibility, and unlimited devices? Sounds interesting TBH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togijak Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 19 minutes ago, EternalPurple said: Hey. Have you heard about new VPN called Surfshark VPN? It promises good speeds, Netflix compatibility, and unlimited devices? Sounds interesting TBH. If a VPN don't use OpenVPN in his client I would not use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radpop Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 1 hour ago, EternalPurple said: Hey. Have you heard about new VPN called Surfshark VPN? It promises good speeds, Netflix compatibility, and unlimited devices? Sounds interesting TBH. Never heard, it's new one and not well reviewed. Only 100 servers in USA, Germany, Japan, Sweden - and other 10 countries somewhere. No Windows client, app for Android and extensions for Chrome and Firefox. 30 days money back guarantee, trial? No logs, unlimited devices, strong encryption, P2P allowed, Netflix works somewhere, Live chat support, China firewall. Pricey because of few servers and missing apps, 3.95$/month for one year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEmpathicEar Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Togijak said: If a VPN don't use OpenVPN in his client I would not use TorGuard has a client that features OpenVPN. What is about this that you like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togijak Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 OpenVPN is open source and there is more than one audit with good results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asciito Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Right Now I'm testing an OpenVPN server and viscosity client!. Seem's to be be OK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h3Ct0R Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Is Avira phantom vpn any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivana19 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Best VPN 2018 ExpressVpn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Togijak Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I cant read that Best bullshit anymore . Might be better fore some users to read here https://www.wilderssecurity.com/forums/privacy-technology.40/ a little bit and have a look at that page https://vpntesting.info/ before telling other which VPN is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snuffy1942 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 The Best is in the Eye of the Beholder, and might not be the BEST for you. One (Pirate) Site i use all the time offers the BEST VPN, yet it simply fails to install on my System. It is the BEST for that Pirate Site but not the best for me.... PS: I currently do not use a VPN. and that is the BEST for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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