The purpose of this article is to delve into the world of VPN proxies, a hybrid technology that combines the functionalities of both VPNs and proxies. By understanding how VPN proxies work and their inherent benefits, users can make informed decisions about their online privacy and security strategies. We aim to provide a clear understanding of VPN proxies, guiding you through their security features, privacy benefits, and practical use cases, ensuring a safer and more private online experience.
Another task they both perform is to hide your location from websites and apps you use. This is helpful if you want to access an app or website that is not available in your region. Or if you travel and want to access content that is specific to a different region than where you currently are.
A virtual private network (VPN) and a proxy server both serve as a central station that receives data from your device, then changes it and sends a different set of information to the website. This information includes the IP address and server location. This makes it impossible for websites to know where you are browsing from and makes it difficult for hackers to monitor your activity.
The major difference is that a VPN will encrypt your data in addition to hiding your IP address while a proxy server will not. This data encryption makes it impossible for anyone including hackers to know what you are doing online, even if you enter sensitive banking information online. A proxy server also hides your IP address from a specific website or app while a VPN will work with any website and app you use.
Table of Contents
What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential technology for enhancing the security and privacy of your internet connection. It serves as a protective passage between your device and the online world, shielding your digital activities from external threats and prying eyes.
Fundamental Concept of VPN
At its core, a VPN establishes a protected and encrypted link over the internet. This secure connection defends your online data against potential snooping or interception. When you use a VPN, your actual IP address is concealed, giving the impression that you are accessing the web from a different location. This not only fortifies your security but also bolsters your online anonymity and privacy.
How VPNs Function
Data Encryption: VPNs implement sophisticated encryption techniques to jumble your online data. This process renders the data indecipherable to any unintended recipients, ensuring that your information remains confidential and secure.
Tunneling Mechanism: A VPN forms a secure 'tunnel' across the internet, which safely transports your data. This direct connection to the VPN server keeps your online actions hidden from entities like your ISP, potential hackers, or government surveillance entities.
Network of Servers: VPN services maintain a global network of servers in various locations. Users can connect to the internet through any of these servers, providing data encryption and concealing their physical whereabouts. This allows users to appear as though they are connecting from an alternate geographic location.
Typical Applications of VPNs
Boosting Online Privacy: VPNs are pivotal for maintaining privacy on the internet. They encrypt your connection, preventing ISPs, marketers, and cybercriminals from tracking your digital footprint.
Overcoming Geo-restrictions: VPNs are commonly employed to navigate around geographical limitations on websites and streaming platforms. Connecting through a server in a different nation enables access to regionally restricted content.
Securing Communications: VPNs play a crucial role in safeguarding communications, particularly over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, which can be susceptible to cyber threats.
Sidestepping Internet Censorship: In areas with stringent internet restrictions, VPNs provide a means to freely access a wide array of internet services and sites.
Remote Network Access: Both individuals and businesses use VPNs for securely accessing networks over the internet, facilitating remote work and the availability of otherwise inaccessible resources.
VPNs are multifaceted tools that significantly enhance online security, privacy, and freedom. They are key in safeguarding sensitive data, circumventing censorship and geographic content restrictions, and promoting secure and private internet browsing experiences.
What is a VPN Proxy?
A VPN Proxy is a technology that combines aspects of both Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and proxy servers to provide a balanced blend of online privacy, security, and convenience. It is designed to offer the user-friendly attributes of a proxy along with the robust security features of a VPN.
Explanation of VPN Proxy as a Concept
Hybrid Technology: VPN Proxy is essentially a hybrid model that integrates the functionality of a VPN with the simplicity and speed of a proxy. This combination aims to provide a more versatile online experience where users can enjoy both enhanced security and ease of access.
Operational Mechanism: Like a proxy, a VPN Proxy can reroute your internet traffic through a remote server, effectively changing your IP address and allowing for geo-spoofing. Simultaneously, it incorporates VPN-like encryption protocols to secure the data that travels between your device and the internet, just like a traditional VPN.
How VPN Proxy Combines the Features of Both VPN and Proxy
Security and Encryption: VPN Proxies employ the same encryption standards as regular VPNs, ensuring that your internet traffic is protected from eavesdroppers and potential cyber threats, a feature typically lacking in standard proxies.
IP Masking and Anonymity: Similar to proxies, VPN Proxies can hide your real IP address, offering a level of anonymity online. This feature is particularly useful for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing region-specific content.
Simplified Configuration and Use: Emulating the user-friendly nature of proxies, VPN Proxies are generally easier to set up and use compared to traditional VPNs. They often come with less complicated interfaces and straightforward options for quick connections.
Benefits of Using a VPN Proxy
Enhanced Security: By incorporating encryption, a VPN Proxy offers a more secure browsing experience than a standard proxy server.
Improved Privacy: With the IP masking feature, it provides better privacy protections, keeping your online activities more anonymous.
Access to Geo-Restricted Content: VPN Proxies enable users to bypass regional blocks and access a wider range of online content, much like a standard proxy.
Balance of Speed and Security: While offering encryption like a VPN, VPN Proxies are often designed to be more lightweight, potentially offering faster speeds than traditional VPNs, making them suitable for activities like streaming.
Ease of Use: VPN Proxies often come with user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users who may find traditional VPNs too complex.
VPN Proxy is an effective solution for users seeking a middle ground between the comprehensive security of a VPN and the ease-of-use and speed of a proxy. It caters to those who need both privacy and unrestricted access to internet resources without the complexity of a full-fledged VPN.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is essentially a mediator that stands between your device and the broader internet. It plays a crucial role in managing and directing internet traffic, offering varying degrees of functionality, security, and privacy.
Understanding the Role and Function of a Proxy Server
Core Function: The primary role of a proxy server is to relay your web requests. For example, when you ask for a webpage, the proxy server retrieves it on your behalf and then transmits it to your device. In this process, it can alter your IP address, essentially masking your real location in the digital world. Some proxy servers are capable of encrypting your data for added security and may also restrict access to specific websites as per predefined policies.
Security and Privacy Benefits: While a proxy server doesn't typically offer the same level of data encryption as a VPN, it does provide a certain level of privacy by concealing your IP address. This feature makes it more challenging for external parties to track your online whereabouts.
Different Categories of Proxy Servers
HTTP Proxies: These are specifically designed for web browsing activities. They handle standard HTTP web requests and are particularly useful for tasks like accessing websites that might be geographically restricted or conducting web scraping operations.
HTTPS Proxies: These operate similarly to HTTP proxies but offer a higher security level. They are adept at processing encrypted HTTPS traffic, thus ensuring a more secure exchange of data, especially during sensitive transactions.
SOCKS Proxies: Standing apart for their versatility, SOCKS (Socket Secure) proxies are not confined to handling just web traffic. They can manage various types of internet traffic, making them a useful choice for activities like online gaming, streaming, or engaging in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
Typical Applications of Proxy Servers
Anonymity and Privacy Enhancement: Proxy servers can provide a layer of anonymity, albeit less secure than VPNs, by hiding your real IP address.
Accessing Region-Specific Content: Similar to VPNs, proxies can help bypass geographical content restrictions by rerouting your internet traffic through a server located in a different area.
Internet Usage Management: Organizations often deploy proxy servers to oversee and regulate internet usage within their network. They can block access to certain sites and keep a log of internet traffic for security and compliance.
Balancing Network Loads: Proxies can distribute internet traffic across several servers, enhancing the speed and reliability of accessing online resources.
Efficient Web Scraping and Data Collection: Especially useful in web scraping, proxies, particularly rotating proxies, help avoid IP bans and facilitate effective data gathering.
proxy servers act as vital intermediaries in the digital landscape, offering a range of benefits from basic anonymity and privacy to specific functionalities like load balancing and controlled internet access. Their utility spans across various sectors, making them a valuable tool for both individual users and organizations.
Comparing VPN and Proxy
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and proxy servers are two popular tools that modify how your internet traffic is routed and how your IP address appears. However, they differ significantly in their approach to security, privacy, and overall functionality. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the most suitable tool for your online needs.
Functionality and Security Variations
Encryption and Security:
VPN: VPNs are known for providing strong encryption, securing the entirety of your device's internet data. This high-level security makes it incredibly challenging for external parties to intercept or decode your data.
Proxy: In contrast, standard proxies typically do not offer encryption (except for HTTPS proxies). They primarily reroute your internet traffic, changing your IP address without necessarily safeguarding the data itself.
Traffic Routing:
VPN: A VPN directs all the internet traffic from your device through its servers. This includes all online activities such as browsing, streaming, and downloading.
Proxy: Proxies, on the other hand, usually handle the traffic of specific applications or web browsers they are configured with.
Performance:
VPN: The encryption process in VPNs can sometimes reduce your internet speed more than a proxy would.
Proxy: Typically, proxies offer faster speeds as they do not engage in heavy data encryption, but their performance and reliability can vary based on the proxy type and quality.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of VPNs:
Comprehensive data security and encryption.
Enhanced privacy and anonymity capabilities.
Effective in bypassing geo-restrictions and censorship on a broad scale.
Disadvantages of VPNs:
Potential reduction in internet speed due to encryption.
Often requires a subscription fee.
Advantages of Proxies:
Generally faster than VPNs due to the lack of encryption.
Convenient for quick tasks like circumventing geo-restrictions on specific web content.
Often available for free or at a lower cost than VPNs.
Disadvantages of Proxies:
Lower levels of security and privacy compared to VPNs.
Limited to rerouting traffic from certain applications or browsers.
Inconsistent quality and reliability.
When to Prefer One Over the Other
Opt for a VPN When:
You need robust encryption for security purposes, such as using public Wi-Fi or dealing with sensitive data.
You require comprehensive privacy across all your online activities.
You aim to bypass extensive censorship and access geo-blocked content across various applications.
Choose a Proxy When:
You need a swift and straightforward method to modify your IP address for specific online tasks, like accessing a region-blocked website.
High-level encryption and extensive security are not your primary concerns.
You engage in activities that demand higher speeds and involve less sensitive data, like streaming geo-blocked content.
Deciding between a VPN and a proxy largely depends on your individual requirements for security, privacy, and the nature of your online activities. VPNs are the preferred choice for those seeking comprehensive security and privacy. In contrast, proxies offer a quicker, albeit less secure, alternative for specific tasks such as bypassing geographical restrictions on web content.
Security Features of VPN Proxy
VPN Proxies merge the robust security features of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with the user-friendly nature of proxy servers. This combination provides a strong defense against a variety of online risks. Let’s delve into the key security attributes of VPN Proxies:
1. Encryption Standards and Protocols
Advanced Encryption: VPN Proxies commonly utilize potent encryption standards like the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), comparable to military-grade encryption. This level of encryption ensures that data transmitted over the network is securely protected and nearly impossible for unauthorized individuals to decode.
Secure Protocols: Various protocols are employed to establish a secure connection. Frequently used protocols include OpenVPN, renowned for its optimal balance between speed and security, IKEv2/IPsec, which is particularly beneficial for mobile security, and WireGuard, a newer protocol noted for its rapid performance and robust security.
2. IP Masking and Anonymity
Concealing Real IP Address: VPN Proxies effectively disguise your true IP address, giving the illusion that you are accessing the internet from a different locale. This feature is not only useful for accessing geo-restricted content but also significantly boosts your anonymity online.
Enhancing Online Anonymity: By masking your real IP address, VPN Proxies play a crucial role in safeguarding your identity and personal data from exposure, which is essential in evading tracking and surveillance by various entities.
3. Protection Against Diverse Online Threats
Secured Browsing Experience: The encrypted channel established by VPN Proxies ensures comprehensive security for all your online activities, ranging from web browsing to conducting online transactions, shielding you from cyber threats like hacking and eavesdropping.
Safety on Public Wi-Fi Networks: Recognizing that public Wi-Fi is often vulnerable, VPN Proxies provide encryption for your data even in such environments, protecting against potential interceptors.
Blocking Malicious Sites and Ads: Some VPN Proxies are equipped with features to block access to known harmful websites and intrusive ads, adding an extra layer of security.
Data Leakage Prevention: Features like an automatic kill switch, which disconnects your device from the internet in case the VPN connection fails, play a vital role in preventing accidental exposure of your data.
ISP Tracking Protection: VPN Proxies encrypt your internet traffic, thwarting attempts by Internet Service Providers to monitor your online activities and potentially sell your data to third parties.
Circumventing Censorship and Surveillance: In regions with stringent internet censorship or surveillance practices, VPN Proxies enable users to securely and freely access the internet, overcoming government-imposed barriers and monitoring.
VPN Proxies provide a comprehensive security package, incorporating advanced encryption, IP masking for increased anonymity, and robust protection against a plethora of online dangers, including hacking, surveillance, and intrusive tracking. This positions them as an ideal solution for individuals and businesses who place a high value on their digital security and privacy.
Privacy Considerations with VPN Proxy
While VPN Proxies offer enhanced security features, understanding their implications for privacy is crucial. These tools can significantly bolster online privacy, but there are key factors to consider, such as their logging policies and jurisdiction.
How VPN Proxy Maintains User Privacy
Data Encryption: VPN Proxies encrypt your internet traffic, making it difficult for outsiders to track your online activities or intercept sensitive information. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi networks.
IP Masking: By masking your real IP address and replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server, a VPN Proxy makes it challenging for websites, advertisers, and potential attackers to track your physical location or online activities.
Bypassing Internet Censorship: VPN Proxies enable users to circumvent geographical restrictions and censorship, allowing for freer access to information and reducing the risk of surveillance by authorities.
Discussion on Log Policies and Jurisdiction
Log Policies:
VPN services can have varying logging policies. Some keep logs of user activities, while others maintain a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not store any records of your online activities.
It's crucial to choose a VPN Proxy provider that adheres to a no-log policy to ensure that your browsing history, IP addresses, and other sensitive data are not stored or potentially shared.
Jurisdiction:
The location of the VPN Proxy service provider can impact user privacy due to the laws and regulations in that country.
Providers based in countries with stringent data retention laws or those that are part of intelligence-sharing alliances (like the Five Eyes) might be compelled to hand over user data to government authorities.
Opting for a provider based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction can add an extra layer of privacy protection.
Tips for Maximizing Privacy with a VPN Proxy
Select a Trustworthy Provider: Choose a VPN Proxy provider with a transparent privacy policy and a proven track record of respecting user privacy.
Use a No-Log VPN Proxy: Ensure that your VPN Proxy provider has a strict no-log policy to prevent any record of your online activities.
Check the Encryption Standards: Opt for providers that use strong encryption protocols like AES-256 and secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
Enable Kill Switch: Use the kill switch feature, if available, which prevents data leakage by cutting off your internet connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly.
Regularly Update the VPN Proxy Software: Keep your VPN Proxy software updated to protect against any security vulnerabilities.
Use Secure Browsers: Pair your VPN Proxy with a privacy-focused browser and consider using privacy-enhancing browser extensions.
Consider Multi-Hop Connections: Some VPN Proxies offer multi-hop connections (double VPN), where your traffic is routed through two VPN servers for an additional layer of privacy.
Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi: Even with a VPN Proxy, exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be breeding grounds for cyber threats.
while VPN Proxies significantly enhance online privacy, choosing the right provider, understanding their policies, and practicing good online habits are crucial to maximizing privacy benefits. A well-informed approach to using VPN Proxies can provide a strong shield against privacy intrusions and online surveillance.
Use Cases for VPN Proxy
A VPN Proxy offers a versatile solution for various online challenges, blending the security of a VPN with the simplicity and speed of a proxy. Its uses range from bypassing geographical restrictions to enhancing online privacy and security. Let's delve into some of these key use cases:
1. Bypassing Geo-restrictions and Censorship
Accessing Geo-blocked Content: VPN Proxies allow users to access content that may be restricted in their country. By connecting to a server in a different location, users can bypass regional restrictions on websites, streaming services, and social media platforms.
Circumventing Government Censorship: In countries where internet access is heavily censored or restricted, a VPN Proxy can help users access the global internet. This is crucial for accessing uncensored news, social media, and other online resources.
2. Secure Browsing and Safe Internet Access
Protecting Data on Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in cafes, airports, or hotels, are not always secure. A VPN Proxy encrypts your data, protecting it from potential interceptors or hackers on these networks.
Secure Online Transactions: For activities like online banking or shopping, a VPN Proxy ensures that your sensitive financial data is encrypted and secure from cybercriminals.
Safe Remote Work: Especially relevant in the era of remote work, a VPN Proxy provides a secure connection to corporate networks, ensuring that sensitive business data remains confidential and protected from external threats.
3. Enhancing Privacy in Various Online Activities
Anonymous Browsing: By masking your IP address, a VPN Proxy ensures that your browsing habits and online activities remain anonymous, preventing advertisers and websites from tracking you.
Protection from ISP Snooping: It prevents Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from monitoring your internet activity. This is particularly important in countries where ISPs might track and sell user data to advertisers or hand it over to government agencies.
Secure Communication: For those who use VoIP services like Skype or WhatsApp for sensitive conversations, a VPN Proxy can encrypt this communication, ensuring that it remains private and inaccessible to eavesdroppers.
Enhancing Privacy on Social Media: As social media platforms collect vast amounts of personal data, using a VPN Proxy can help obscure your location and browsing habits from these platforms.
4. Additional Use Cases
Research and Development: Researchers who need access to information across different regions without revealing their location or identity can use VPN Proxies for secure and unrestricted browsing.
Gaming: Gamers can use VPN Proxies to access games available only in certain regions, reduce lag by connecting to servers closer to the gaming server, and protect against DDoS attacks.
VPN Proxies serve a wide range of purposes, from bypassing geo-restrictions and government censorship to securing data on public networks and enhancing overall online privacy. Their versatility makes them an invaluable tool for various users, including regular internet users, travelers, remote workers, researchers, and gamers.
Choosing the Right VPN Proxy
Selecting the right VPN Proxy is crucial to ensure you get the security, privacy, and performance you need. Here are factors to consider, recommendations for different needs, and tips on finding trustworthy providers.
Factors to Consider
Speed:
Look for a VPN Proxy that offers fast connection speeds, which is important for streaming, gaming, and large downloads.
Some speed loss is inevitable due to encryption, but good VPN Proxies optimize this trade-off.
Security:
Ensure the VPN Proxy uses strong encryption (like AES-256) and secure protocols (such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard).
Additional security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection are valuable.
Privacy Policy:
A no-logs policy is essential. Verify that the VPN Proxy doesn’t keep records of your browsing history, IP addresses, or any other data that could be traced back to you.
Investigate the provider's history and reputation regarding user privacy.
Server Locations:
A wide range of server locations allows more flexibility for geo-spoofing and accessing content from various regions.
Consider if the VPN Proxy has servers in countries that you frequently need to access or connect from.
Recommendations for Different User Needs
For General Use: Choose a VPN Proxy with a balance of speed, security, and ease of use. Providers with user-friendly interfaces and reliable performance are ideal.
For Streaming: Opt for a VPN Proxy with high-speed servers and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions of popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, etc.
For Privacy-Focused Users: Select a provider with a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
For Business Use: Look for a VPN Proxy with robust security features, multi-user support, and a wide range of server locations.
For Gamers: A VPN Proxy with low latency, DDoS protection, and servers close to gaming servers is preferable.
Tips on Finding Trustworthy VPN Proxy Providers
Read Independent Reviews: Check out reviews from reputable tech websites and forums for unbiased opinions.
Check Data Breach History: Research if the provider has had any past security breaches and how they handled them.
Transparency: Providers who are transparent about their operations, policies, and the technology they use tend to be more reliable.
Trial Periods and Money-Back Guarantees: Many reputable VPN Proxies offer a trial period or a money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service before committing.
Customer Support: Good customer support is a sign of a reliable provider. Check if they offer 24/7 support and have a variety of contact methods.
Pricing: Be cautious of free VPN Proxies as they might monetize through ads or selling data. Compare pricing plans and ensure they align with the features offered.
choosing the right VPN Proxy involves careful consideration of your specific needs and a thorough evaluation of the provider's features, privacy policies, and reputation. By doing your due diligence, you can find a VPN Proxy that not only meets your requirements but also provides a secure and reliable online experience.
FAQs/Additional Resources
Here are some frequently asked questions about VPN Proxies, along with concise answers. Additionally, I'll provide suggestions for further reading and resources for those interested in delving deeper into the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions about VPN Proxy
What is the difference between a VPN and a VPN Proxy?
A VPN provides full encryption of all internet traffic from your device, while a VPN Proxy is a blend of VPN and proxy technologies, offering features of both but may not encrypt all traffic like a standard VPN.
Can a VPN Proxy keep me completely anonymous online?
While a VPN Proxy greatly enhances privacy by masking your IP address and encrypting data, complete anonymity is challenging to achieve due to other potential tracking methods like cookies and browser fingerprinting.
Is it legal to use a VPN Proxy?
In most countries, using a VPN Proxy is legal as long as it's for legitimate purposes. However, some countries have restrictions or specific laws regarding VPN use, so it's important to check the local laws in your area.
Can I use a VPN Proxy to access streaming services?
Yes, many VPN Proxies can bypass geo-restrictions of streaming services. However, effectiveness varies, and some streaming platforms have measures to block VPNs and proxies.
Are free VPN Proxies safe to use?
Caution is advised with free VPN Proxies. Some may have weaker security, log user data, or have limited features compared to paid services.
Additional Resources for Further Reading
VPN Basics:
Understanding Proxy Servers:
Comparing VPNs and Proxies:
Privacy and Security Considerations:
Reviews and Recommendations:
These resources provide a more in-depth understanding of VPN Proxies, their uses, and how to select the right one for your needs. Remember, staying informed and cautious is key to safely navigating the digital world.
List Of VPN Proxy
NordVPN is an ideal VPN for anyone wanting privacy online. It is very easy to use so even if you have no VPN experience, you can get the hang of it quickly. NordVPN gives you access to over 5000 servers in various locations around the world, thus providing anonymity as you browse the web. This server access makes it possible to access content available only in specific locations which are quite common with streaming services. NordVPN also offers a service called Threat Protection which keeps your device safe while you browse at fast speeds. This service safeguards you from cyber attacks without any connection to a VPN server.
Major Features
Secure and private IP address
Provides a mesh net for easier connections
Provides Threat Protection for enhanced online security
Provides over 5600 servers across 59 countries
Pricing
NordVPN has a 3-tier plan structure: The Standard, Plus, and Complete plans. These can be billed every month, one year, and two years in advance. The Standard plan starts from $11.99 every month. However, you get 3 months free if you purchase the 1 or 2 years plan.
ExpressVPN is the top VPN proxy for you if you travel a lot and want to hide your location from the websites you visit. It is one of the fastest VPNs available and is very easy to use. ExpressVPN provides access to servers located in 94 countries across the world. ExpressVPN also offers a service called Network Lock which stops all online activity automatically once it detects that your connection has dropped. This is done to prevent your information from being stolen despite a bad network connection.
Major Features
Secure IP address which allows anonymous browsing
Servers located in 94 countries
Network Lock to protect user data
Provides a special Lightway VPN protocol to make browsing as secure as possible
Pricing
ExpressVPN offers a monthly, six-months, and one-year plan to users. The plans start from $12.95 every month.
Surfshark allows you to connect as many devices as possible using just one subscription. This is unlike other VPN providers who limit the number of devices per subscription. It offers all the normal basic features of other VPNs including hiding IP addresses and access to servers in multiple locations so you can browse anonymously. One unique feature that Surfshark has is the ability to hide the fact that you are using a VPN service from your internet service provider. This service is called camouflage mode.
Major Features
Secures user's IP address
Provides camouflage mode to hide VPN traffic
Provides a kill switch to secure data
Allows an unlimited number of devices
Pricing
Surfshark pricing plans start from $12.95 every month
Private Internet Access VPN is another good option for a VPN proxy. It is headquartered in the US, which is unlike other VPN providers. Despite this, Private Internet Access VPN provides great functionality and secure browsing for its users. You can connect up to 10 different devices at the same time and fast speeds. Private Internet Access also provides live 24-hour customer support to help you out with any issues should they come up. They also provide a service called MACE that blocks all ads and anyone trying to track your internet activity on your PC or phone.
Major Features
Secure hidden IP address
Provides an advanced level of split tunneling
Fast servers in 84 countries across the world
Provides a kill switch to secure data
Allows up to 10 devices
Pricing
Private Internet Access VPN provides a monthly, one-year, and three-year plan. The payment plans start at $11.95 every month.
ProtonVPN is the perfect VPN for you if you want more privacy than what you can already get with other VPNs. They pride themselves on privacy and take steps to ensure that all your data remains private. ProtonVPN is known for how transparent they are. Their policies are open and they release regular reports so anyone can see how they handle user data and how they keep it safe. ProtonVPN also provides a free service whereas with slower speed and some extra features missing. However, it still comes with all the security and privacy that they offer. ProtonVPN has a technology called VPN Accelerator which allows a VPN speed boost of over 400%. This is a system that works to improve device efficiency and thereby increases performance and speed. ProtonVPN has its headquarters in Switzerland.
Major Features
More than 1800 servers in 64 countries around the world
Does not store any online activity and information
Offers speeds up to 10 Gbps
Provides VPN Accelerator that can boost speed by more than 400%
Provides Stealth protocol to disguise VPN traffic and hide browsing information
Pricing
ProtonVPN has a free limited version available. They also offer premium plans monthly, for one year and two years respectively. The premium plans start from €9.99 every month.
Conclusion
A VPN will act as an intermediary between your device and the internet. It encrypts your data and ensures that your browsing remains secure. This enables you to access content that is not available in your present location and keeps you safe from hackers.
There are so many VPN services online both free and paid. It is advisable to go for the paid ones because they are usually more secure and more private. The paid VPN proxy will also offer more advanced features and functionality than the free ones. This is why the list above of the top VPN proxy in 2023 features only paid VPN providers except for ProtonVPN which offers a limited free version in addition to their paid plans.