Do you use a VPN?
The answer should be yes. End of story.
Buy one now. This is an easy win for you.
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are a way for you to hide your residential (naked) IP address, so websites, internet service providers (ISPs) and apps can't track you as well. A bad actor can do a lot if they know your IP address.
Are there free VPNs? Yes! But be skeptical. Tor Browser is likely the best free VPN option without a VPN company also harvesting your information. The Tor Project, which maintains the Tor Browser (and VPN for your phone), is a non-profit focused on international privacy concerns, but the browser itself tends to run slowly. You should purchase a VPN if your ultimate goal is to protect your privacy in your day to day use.
My Top 2 for 2020:
ProtonVPN
ExpressVPN
But don't take my word for it…
That One Privacy Site: This site is dedicated to objectively reviewing VPN services.
That One Privacy Site’s incredibly detailed, which is helpful for resesarch, but might appear overwhelming for a beginner. Use this as a verification for a VPN you’re already researching.
PCMag: Best VPNs for 2020
PCMag has additional details behind how a VPN works, and general stats resulting form polls from their audiences.
Updates from 2018:
Private Internet Access (PIA) - No longer recommended!
Unfortunately, Private Internet Access (PIA)’s recent acquisition by Kape lead privacy experts concerned about its future legitimacy. Kape’s previous software known as Crossrider was previously considered malware by anti-virus companies. Kape - also formerly known as Crossrider - also recently purchased two other VPNs - CyberGhost and Zenmate - keep in mind all three VPNs as you conduct your research!
The jury is still out on Kape’s intent for purchasing multiple VPNs, so I would tread carefully with PIA if you are just getting started with using a VPN.
Always Keep in Mind:
Many VPNs provide a free 30-day option. If you’re not satisfied, check out another VPN before purchasing.
Read a VPN’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service (really!) before you purchase. You might be surprised - positively or negatively - by what you read before you purchase. If you’re trying to secure your internet searching, this should grow into a habit for you.
Always check news updates regarding your VPN. VPNs can be acquired and no longer help you remain safe in the way you’d prefer. Privacy policies can change, as can policies around streaming sites and what VPNs they’ll allow their site to interact with.