Yeah, as someone put it, we are now living in the era of mass surveillance. It appears everybody is now in a gold rush for the next best VPN. 

Just before you go out to look for a VPN service provider, there are tips you want to have at the back of your head. 

In the past, VPNs have come under scrutiny because of vulnerabilities brought about by an IPv6 leakage. A research conducted on the 14 top most commercial VPNs gave disturbing findings on the security of VPNs. 

Of the 14 VPNs studied, 11 were found to leak user’s information such as websites visited and actual content in their communication.

Why your VPN could be insecure

At the time of conducting the study, researchers found out a few possible causes of vulnerabilities in a VPN. If you find your VPN to be insecure, you want to know the reasons why it could be protecting you less.

The major reason for their security failure was the fact that they could only offer security for the IPv4 network operators. When it came to keeping safe the IPv6 network operators, these VPNs could fail terribly. 

To keep safe, invest in a VPN that protects the IPv6 network operators as well.

Another key reason pointed out was the weak security protocols used by some of the VPNs. There are a number of security protocols in the market a VPN service could use for security and encryption. Unfortunately, not all protocols are guaranteed to give you the same results. 

Some of the security protocols such as the PPTP are weak and no longer the best option to go for in terms of security. Developed by Microsoft as an encapsulation of the Point to Point protocol, the PPTP can’t withstand acute cyber attacks meted on it. 

Before you settle on a VPN service to buy, ensure it has one of the most updated security protocols such as an Open VPN

Regardless of the VPN server in use, access to websites without an SSL certificate also carries a potential threat to your personal data online. Findings from the same research found out that use of VPNs on websites with no SSL certificate the common HTTP led to more threats for leakage compared to when using an HTTPS website.

You want to use strong VPNs that can protect you and ensure your safety in unsecured networks. 

Tips for assessing the safety of a VPN 

If the idea of using a VPN to protect your privacy suits you best, you want to be sure that you are using the right VPN with this tips.

• Check the terms of use

Most of us hate the jargon found in the terms and conditions of a given product or service. This only causes us more pain and loss in the long run.

To get a clear picture of the VPN you are using, make sure to read its terms and conditions.

 One of the key things you want to look at in VPN terms of service is its logging policies. The best VPN does not collect logs from its users. 

• Ensure to have a VPN with a kill switch 

Well, what is a kill switch is the first place?

A kill switch is a mechanism that is incorporated into a machine or program to shut it down whenever there is a potential threat for theft of data or a machine. 

To point it out clearly, a kill switch is an equivalent of a red button in an industrial plant. Pressing it achieves the effect of shutting down machinery when a plant operator is facing danger.

It is necessary that the VPN you buy has a kill switch. A kill switch keeps your data protected from exposure in the event your VPN connection fails. If using a kill switch, your browser won’t be able to pick on your standard connection ultimately keeping you protected. 

• Avoid free VPNs

Free VPNs are the easiest option to go for but they come at a cost. At best, a free VPN gives you a weak security protocol; at worst it leaves you a victim of spyware and malware. 

Given that a free VPN is not going to charge you anything for their service; guess what? They could sell your data to third parties such as ad companies to generate revenue. 

Worse yet, free VPNs make your browsing experience uncomfortable with the many adverts they plaster on your browser. 

...[ Continue to next page ]