VPN

Protect your privacy and unlock the Internet with a VPN.

What’s a VPN?

A VPN (short for virtual private network) is a service you subscribe to which routes your Internet connection (both to and from your computers, tablets, smartphones & any Internet-connected devices) through other servers on the Internet.

A VPN will hide your IP address & encrypt your Internet connection, helping prevent the detecting, monitoring or tracking of your online activities.

However, the quality of VPN providers vary and there are other tips & pointers you need to be aware of. For more VPN FAQs, keep scrolling down.


Quick Answer: Top 3 VPN Providers

RANK

VPN SERVICE

FEATURES

BEST PRICE

MORE INFO

1

NordVPN best secure VPN service

• best VPN overall
• no-logs & P2P allowed
• 59 countries & 5,500 servers

$3.99/mo
$11.95/mo

save 62%

Try risk-free for 30 days

2

ExpressVPN best overall vpn service

• fastest VPN
• no-logs & allows torrenting  
• 94 countries & 3,000 servers

$6.67/mo
$12.95/mo

save 49%

Try risk-free for 30 days

3

Private Internet Access VPN best value VPN service

• cheap VPN
• zero-logs & torrent-friendly
• 84 countries & 17,000 servers

$2.19/mo
$9.99/mo

save 82%

Try risk-free for 30 days

Featured VPN Posts

Best VPN Guide 2023 (Updated Monthly)
No hype, no BS, no pressure. Just facts that let you figure out the best VPN to use for your[...]
VPN Comparison | Compare 150+ VPN Providers
No hype, no BS, no pressure.  Just facts that let you figure out which VPN to use. The detailed VPN comparison[...]

Why Should I Use a VPN?

Using a VPN disguises your online presence (public IP address) and geographical location because your connection will seem to originate from the VPN server you are connected to, rather than your actual location and Internet connection (your ISP account).

This simple trick can be effective for dozens of uses & benefits.


Is a VPN Legal?

Although this may sound dodgy, it is perfectly legal and safe to use a VPN in most places, with the exception of a handful of countries that restrict freedom of speech and freedom of media.


What is Geo-Spoofing?

Using a VPN to make it seem like you are based in another location is called geo-spoofing.

Geo-spoofing can be used to access content that is banned or restricted in your actual location or even to score better deals online, as many online retailers charge different prices depending on where people live.


How Does a VPN Protect Privacy?

Because a VPN masks your real IP address, this also makes a VPN an ideal privacy tool as activities that can be tracked and profiled by IP address - from obtrusive online ads to your web browsing habits to your torrent downloads.


How is a VPN Different from a Proxy?

A VPN is often confused with a proxy which can also be used to spoof a different IP address. But, in contrast to a proxy, a VPN also uses encryption.

When a VPN encrypts your connection, this protects your Internet traffic from being monitored.

Plenty of parties are trying to monitor your connection, to try and steal your personal information over open WiFi, the VOIP calls you make, the files you download, the websites you visit, the movies you stream, the adult content you watch, the stocks you follow or the questions you type into search engines.


What Are the Disadvantages of Using a VPN?

Using a VPN does have a handful of disadvantages, but compared to the benefits they bring, we firmly believe everyone should be using a VPN.

The only trouble: there are hundreds of VPNs on the market today so it is easy for consumers to get confused.


Aren’t All VPNs the Same?

Choosing the wrong VPN can be a disaster because a VPN that doesn’t have your back will keep logs of your activities, perhaps sell your information and even disclose who you really are to authorities or anyone who complains about what you do online.


Are Free VPNs Safe?

Free VPNs and the ones with backers in China are prime examples of VPNs to avoid.


What Should I Look For in a VPN?

Compare all VPN providers and we're confident you will reach the same conclusion as us: only use a no-log VPN (one that keeps no records of its customers activities) and whose no-logging claims are proven.

Over and above this, you can further whittle down your short list to VPN services with good speed test results and that do not leak your real IP address. 

Depending on your specific needs, the icing on the cake of your VPN decision can be about extra features such as VPNs with a kill switch or split tunneling, or that support anonymous payments (such as Bitcoin or gift cards) and/or have other goodies.

There may also be certain advantages for choosing a VPN service based in a specific country as some jurisdictions have stronger privacy laws than others.

Of course, price (after applying any VPN deals & discount coupons) and the number of devices you can connect at the same time, will also be factors in your decision.


Unlock 100% of the Internet with a VPN

Once you have made up your mind about which VPN to use, you can do all of the following with full confidence:

  • use public WiFi safely
  • stream content unrestricted
  • watch online TV shows and movies while abroad
  • download torrents anonymously
  • prevent online tracking & profiling
  • make anonymous purchases
  • be overall safer and more private online

Once you start to use your selected VPN regularly, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Below, our VPN-related posts are organized into convenient post grids for you. 

If you have something specific in mind, you can also use the search bar at the top of sidebar or, especially on mobile, simply type what you’re looking for along with the word COGIPAS in your browser bar. 🙂


Choosing a VPN by Country, Use or Device

The best VPN for you can depend on what you want to use it for, what device(s) you will use it on and the country in which you intend to use it. 

Best VPN for Certain Countries

Best VPN to Use in China (Updated Monthly)
Finding the Best VPN for China is not always easy – here’s what you need to know to find a[...]
Best VPN by Country
Wondering “what’s the best VPN for my country?” We got you covered with our list of best VPN services for[...]

Best VPN for Certain Uses

Best VPN for Torrenting
How to pick the best VPN for torrenting from the dozens of VPN services available. Choose wisely!Torrenting? You better use[...]
Best Kodi VPN (Updated)
Don’t fall victim to the Kodi crackdown - be safe and use this Kodi VPN.   What's the best VPN[...]
Is Popcorn Time Safe?
How to use Popcorn Time safely (with a VPN), what it is and some PT alternatives too. Hey! Looking to make[...]
Best Netflix VPN: Which VPN Still Works with Netflix?
As of , we are happy to report that PureVPN still works with Netflix.  Yep, PureVPN still works with Netflix USA.The[...]
Best VPN For Porn & Erotica (and Why You Should Use One)
Using a VPN for porn & erotica ensures your habits are not being tracked and profiled in ways that may[...]

Best VPN for Certain Devices

Best VPN for Android
The Best VPN for Android hides your IP address, encrypts your connection and can be used to protect all of[...]
Best iPhone VPN
iPhones are generally safer than other smartphones, but they're not invincible. Use one of the best iPhone VPN services to[...]

VPN Brands 

Read up-to-date and in-depth reviews of the leading VPN services or compare them against each other. 

There are hundreds of VPN services on the market today. If you want to research them yourself, we have the data on all of them. But that would take you weeks, if not months to do, so check our recommended best VPN services.

VPN Brand Reviews

VPN Comparisons & Tests


Learn Even More about VPNs

Newest VPN Posts

Advanced VPN Guides

May 22, 2022