
5 VPN services to choose from in 2025
1. ExpressVPN
One of the most trusted names in the business, ExpressVPN stays ahead on speed, ease of use, and reliability. Its apps work across everything from phones and laptops to smart TVs and routers. You get a clean UI, solid connection speeds, and a strict no-logs policy. It's pricey, yes, but you're paying for a hassle-free experience that works every time you hit 'connect.'
2. NordVPN
NordVPN combines strong security features with a growing network of over 6,000 servers. The standout? Its Threat Protection blocks malware and trackers even when the VPN is off. With reliable performance for streaming and torrenting, and features like Meshnet (for private device-to-device connections), Nord hits the sweet spot between price and performance.
3. Proton VPN
For those who want transparency and serious privacy, Proton VPN is built by the same folks behind ProtonMail. Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy, it's open-source and regularly audited. The free plan is actually usable, which is a rare in the VPN world, and its paid tiers unlock Secure Core servers and streaming-optimized performance.
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is the budget all-rounder. You get unlimited device connections, clean apps, and plenty of customization for under ₹200/month (with long-term plans). Despite the low price, it doesn't skimp on features. CleanWeb blocks ads and malware, and the NoBorders mode helps bypass network restrictions in high-censorship countries.
5. Mullvad
Mullvad doesn't want your email, name, or anything that could identify you. It generates a random account number, takes anonymous payments (even cash), and keeps zero user logs. It's not flashy, and streaming support can be hit or miss, but for hardcore privacy users, it's the cleanest VPN setup you'll find.

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Time of India
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- Time of India
VPN signups increase in the UK? What's behind the 1,400% surge?
As the UK begins enforcing strict new age verification requirements for websites hosting adult content, users are now flocking to virtual private networks (VPNs) in record numbers. Proton VPN, one of the most widely used privacy services, reported a 1,400% spike in signups on Friday, July 25, the very day the new regulations under the Online Safety Act came into force. The surge reflects growing concern among UK internet users about the privacy implications of mandatory age checks, which may include facial recognition or sharing financial information. These rules apply not only to adult content websites but also to dating platforms such as Tinder and Hinge, with the UK's communications regulator Ofcom officially starting enforcement at midnight BST on Friday. Age checks spark widespread VPN adoption Proton VPN's live Observatory page showed the surge began as soon as the law took effect and climbed again around 9 a.m. BST. A company spokesperson told Mashable they expect additional spikes throughout the weekend, adding: 'This clearly shows that adults are concerned about the impact universal age verification laws will have on their privacy.' The company noted on social media that this increase in sign-ups was not only 'sustained' but 'significantly higher than when France lost access to adult content.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo When France implemented a similar law in June, it prompted a 1,000% jump in Proton VPN subscriptions after major websites pulled out of the country in protest. Google Trends data supports this surge: search interest in 'Proton VPN' rose sharply in the UK around 2 a.m. BST Friday. VPNs challenge enforcement and raise questions VPNs function by encrypting a user's internet traffic and rerouting it through servers in other locations, masking their identity and location. This makes it possible for users to bypass regional restrictions, including age verification requirements. While not designed solely for this purpose, VPNs can make enforcement of such laws difficult, as initial research suggests. According to Mashable , this complicates legal frameworks in both the UK and abroad, raising concerns not just about regulation, but also free speech and digital privacy. Ofcom told the BBC that while using a VPN is not illegal, encouraging its use to bypass age verification is. The regulator also warned that children using VPNs will not benefit from the safety protections these laws are intended to provide.


Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Indian Express
From ProtonVPN to Windscribe, here are best 5 paid and free VPNs in India
In today's digital age, where advertisers and online platforms are trying to monetise on your browsing and spending habits, protecting your online privacy is more important than ever. Whether you are browsing the web, accessing the internet from a public network or trying to watch geo-restricted content, say from Netflix US, Virtual Private Networks, popularly known as VPNs, can help shield you from hackers and trackers. Free VPN services are often slower and sometimes less secure than their paid counterparts. Some of these paid solutions also offer a free trial or set a free monthly limit, which can be useful if you want to check out if a particular VPN works out for you. If you are looking for a free or paid VPN solution, here are the 10 best options available in India. ProtonVPN is one of the few services that offers unlimited data and router support for free users. Apart from not logging your browsing habits and blocking trackers from sending information to advertisers, ProtonVPN also lets you bypass government censorship and other content restrictions. ProtonVPN's free tier may suffice for the majority of users, but if you are looking for a service that offers high speed and lets you choose from over 13,000 servers located in 120-plus countries, ProtonVPN is a great option. The monthly plan starts €9.99, but if you want to try out other Proton services like mail, calendar and drive, check out the Proton Unlimited plan that costs €12.99 per month. Based out of Canada, Windscribe is one of the most popular free VPNs in the world. Available on a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Amazon Fire TV and Android, to name a few, the free version of Windscribe servers located in 10 countries and comes with a data cap of just 15GB for a whole month. If you purchase the premium plan, which gives you unlimited data and device connections, it will cost you $9 per month or $5.75 per month if you purchase the annual subscription. Windscribe's premium plan unlocks all locations, which means you can connect to any server that is located in any of the 69 countries where the VPN operates. ExpressVPN is another VPN solution you might want to check out. With servers in more than 105 countries, this VPN lets you play games, watch geo-restricted content from OTT platforms and most importantly, has a no log policy, which means the websites and services you access won't be recorded. Compared to other VPNs, ExpressVPN is on the costlier side with plans starting from $12.95 per month. However, you can save a lot of money with the annual plan, which costs $99.95 and gives you three months of complimentary access right now. In case you don't like Express VPN, the company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Opera, the popular internet browser, also comes with a free built-in VPN that you can use to browse the web. The service has no data limits, and since the browser is available on various platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and others, you will be able to use it on different devices like desktops, laptops, mobiles and even smart TVs. Like some paid VPNs, OperaVPN also seems to have a no-log policy, but there are some privacy concerns regarding the service since it is now owned by a Chinese company. Still, this is a good option if all you want to do is browse the web or watch content not available in your region. Another great free VPN that is available on a wide range of platforms is This VPN service has no limits on connection speed (with the Premium plan) and has 91 servers in different locations spread across six continents. monthly plan will cost you $9.95, while the 12-month and 27-month plans can be purchased for $54,95 and $69.95, respectively. Like most paid VPNs, also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Note: Using VPNs in India is legal for personal privacy, but engaging in illegal activities is a punishable offence. Also, most premium VPNs no longer maintain physical Indian services to avoid complying with India's data retention rules and instead use virtual Indian servers hosted outside the country.


Time of India
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- Time of India
Chat facility in gaming apps now communication tool for terror groups: officials
Online war games akin to PUBG requiring chats with partners anonymous or otherwise have emerged as a key communication channel for terror groups and Pakistan's ISI to convey messages to their recruits in Jammu and Kashmir, officials here said. As terror groups operating across the border seek to bypass social media and conventional channels of communication and escape scrutiny by security agencies, it is a virtual battleground and in some cases a real one too. Four cases have been been identified, the officials said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree Artificial Intelligence others Operations Management Management Data Science CXO PGDM Project Management Leadership Public Policy healthcare Data Analytics Digital Marketing MBA Cybersecurity MCA Finance Others Design Thinking Technology Data Science Product Management Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details In one case, an underage boy was being radicalised by his gaming partner sitting across the border. The boy was handed over to parents after proper counselling of the entire family. The gaming chat applications allow players to communicate with each other in real time in the guise of playing online games, the officials explained without going into details of which game and how. These applications, which facilitate voice, video, and text-based communication to enhance teamwork, strategy discussions and social interaction among players, are being used for different purposes, they said. Live Events The prospective recruits are identified during playing. The gaming applications have been increasingly incorporating encryption to protect user communications but the level of security varies widely. So, some games use basic encryption for in-game voice chat and others offer more robust end-to-end encryption for text and voice. There are also applications that allow for self-destructing messages. Though several of these gaming applications are banned in India, they are downloaded using Virtual Private Network (VPN) illegally. A VPN creates a secure and encrypted connection over the internet by masking Internet Protocol addresses and encrypts online traffic, making it more difficult to track online activity and access data. In the past, messaging platforms like WhatsApp were delinked by terror groups and their handlers from Pakistan and they switched to other applications to communicate with each other. The included one developed by a Turkish company that is being used by terror group handlers and their prospective recruits in the Valley, the officials said. The new applications have the ability to work with the slowest internet connections where Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE), used in the late 2000s, or 2G is in operation. The Central government had suspended internet across Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019. All encryption and decryption happen directly on the devices, therefore reducing third party intervention at any point. These new apps use encryption algorithm RSA-2048 which was adopted as the most secure encrypted platform, officials said. RSA is an American Network Security and Authentication company founded in 1982 by US-born Ron Rivest and Leonard Adleman and Israeli-born Adi Shamir. The acronym RSA is used worldwide as the foundation key in the cryptosystem. One new messaging app used by terrorists to radicalise youth in the Valley does not even ask for phone numbers or emails, therefore enabling complete user anonymity, the officials said. The latest challenge in tracking terror activity comes just as security agencies in the Valley are fighting the menace of virtual SIM cards. Terror groups have been increasingly using these to connect with their handlers in Pakistan. Virtual SIM cards are generated by a service provider based in a foreign country. In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user needs to download an application from the service provider on his or her smartphone to use it. The penetration of this technology came to light in 2019 when a request was sent to the United States to seek details from a service provider of virtual SIMs used by a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber in the attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that left 40 personnel dead. A detailed probe by the National Investigation Agency and other security agencies indicated that over 40 virtual SIM cards were used in the Pulwama attack alone. There are probably many more floating in the Valley's cyberspace, the officials said. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )