In the digital age, particularly in the post-pandemic world, the Internet is a core part of almost every aspect of our lives. From shopping and banking to entertainment and socializing, almost every facet of our lives is connected to the digital world in some way and for the most part, this is beneficial.

At the same time, however, this interconnectivity increases the potential negative effects of a cybersecurity breach. In addition, the advent of AI and big data has meant that third parties have more incentive than ever to seek out our personal data. As such, internet users around the world have begun to take their privacy and security more seriously than ever before, opting to use virtual private networks to protect themselves online.

In recent times, the global VPN industry has achieved massive growth and as a result, new VPN options are continually emerging. While this is no bad thing, it can make choosing the best option difficult for those who are less experienced with VPNs. So, here are the four essential criteria to consider if you intend to buy VPN.

Encryption

In the main, privacy and security and the primary reasons that we choose to use virtual private networks. When using a VPN, we want to know that our traffic is not being monitored and, crucially, that our cybersecurity is not at risk from those who may seek to intercept our data and use it for nefarious purposes.

However, research suggests that many users not are getting the kind of protection they feel they need from their VPN services. Not all VPNs are made equal, so it’s crucial that you consider the kind of encryption on offer before you make your decision.

AES (Advanced Encryption System) is one to look out for, as it will provide you with military-grade encryption to better protect your traffic. However, there are other options, such as RSA, Triple DES, and Blowfish, to name just a few.

Speed

At the same time, having the strongest encryption available is a scant consolation if your connection is poor as to be unusable. That’s why connection speeds should be one of your primary considerations when deciding on which VPN service to use.

When weighing up VPN options, it’s important to note that almost all VPNs will slow your normal internet connection. This is due to the fact that traffic is being directed through a server in a remote location. That said, however, different VPNs can have drastically different connection speeds.

High-quality VPN services will offer substantial bandwidth that offsets potential speed drops, ensuring that you don’t have to compromise on performance in the pursuit of privacy.

Servers

By the same token, servers are an important consideration when comparing VPNs. VPNs work by routing traffic to servers in different geographical locations, and the specific locations on offer can play a major role in overall performance. Ideally, it’s best to have access to server locations in nearby geographical locations, as this helps keep latency to a minimum.

Typically, high-quality VPN services will offer a large number of servers in a wide variety of different locations around the world. Generally speaking, VPN services with many servers have more bandwidth available to customers, meaning better connections and improved download speeds. Moreover, a more comprehensive range of server locations gives you to option to easily bypass geo-restrictions in different places, something which is extremely useful when traveling.

Price

Naturally, value is something that one must take into account when trying to decide on a VPN service to use. Depending on what your specific needs are, different options may suit you. For instance, if you want a VPN to protect the cybersecurity of your company, then you will likely feel comfortable investing in a premium paid VPN service. In this instance, the right price point for you is likely to be commensurate with the scale of your business and the stakes involved should you experience a breach.

If you’re considering a VPN purely for personal use, however, there are many more options on the market. Many VPN providers offer simple subscription rates which are highly affordable, while others offer mid-range options with added features. If the idea of paying a subscription for a VPN doesn’t appeal to you, then you can opt to find the best VPN for Chrome, Firefox, or another popular browser. Many of these options come with extensive server selections.

Summing Up

In recent years, VPNs have become the go-to cybersecurity and privacy solution for both personal and commercial use. As a result of the proliferation of VPN tech, there is now a multitude of options available at every price point, and each has its pros and cons. At first, it may be confusing to try and parse the different options, but by using these simple criteria, you can find the right VPN solution for you.