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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Think you have nothing to hide? A VPN might still be useful
Here at Tom's Guide, we're big fans of quality VPNs. Whether its for streaming, avoiding censorship, or just peace of mind, there are plenty of reasons to use them. However, the fact of the matter is that not everyone needs, or uses, one of the best VPNs. We wanted to find out how many of our readers use VPNs, and for those that don't, why not? We put out a survey, and found that just over 45% of you don't use VPNs. A number of reasons were cited for this, including price, a lack of knowledge, tracking concerns, and having nothing to hide. Here, we'll break down some of these concerns and explain whether or not a VPN is right for you. NordVPN: the best VPN overallNordVPN is our #1 VPN. It's lightning fast, with over 7,000 servers worldwide. It can protect up to 10 devices and has a wide range of apps. It boasts class-leading privacy and security, utilises post-quantum encryption. Thanks to its unblocking capabilities, it's perfect for streaming. The 2-year plan starts at $3.39 per month ($81.36 up front pre-tax). This plan comes with a 1 GB Saily eSIM, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. 38% of readers said they don't really know what a VPN is, and 24% said they don't know the benefits. VPNs can be confusing – especially if you don't write about them everyday like we do – but they're simpler than you might think. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that protects your online privacy. Whenever you access the internet without one, your internet service provider (ISP) can see your internet activity and match it to your location and IP address. ISPs are well-known for storing and selling their users' data, and also often block certain websites they don't want people visiting – for whatever reason. Your information is also potentially vulnerable to being intercepted by hackers and tracked by third-parties. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel. You connect to a VPN server before the internet. This masks your location and IP address, meaning your ISP doesn't know what websites you're visiting. This means your ISP can't choose which sites to block, because it can't see them in the first place. If hackers intercept your data, it's protected by at least one layer of encryption and your data is safe. The most secure VPNs are beginning to adopt post-quantum encryption – the highest standard of encryption out there. However, while VPNs protect your online privacy, they don't make you anonymous. This is a common VPN myth and it's important to know the difference between anonymity and privacy. Beyond protecting your data, VPNs can help you watch your favorite shows if they're not available in your country. The best streaming VPNs can access all major streaming services, giving you access to a host of international streaming libraries. This is great if you're a Netflix subscriber. Different countries get different shows and movies, so using a VPN to change your location gets you access to tons more content. VPNs are a vital tool for combating censorship and bypassing internet restrictions. The best travel VPNs are the perfect vacation companions and you can even try one of the best gaming VPNs. 26% of respondents said they don't know how to use a VPN, but it's often as simple as downloading an app and clicking a button. If you're a VPN beginner, ExpressVPN is a great option. It's easy to use, quick, and packed full of features. There's an on/off button front and center, and it recently had a mobile app redesign making it even easier to use. You can read more in our ExpressVPN review. ExpressVPN: the best for beginnersIf you're a VPN beginner, you may be more comfortable with ExpressVPN. It features a simple on/off button for easy connection and has over 3,000 servers worldwide. It's quick, can protect up to 8 devices on one plan, and has implemented post-quantum encryption across the board. The 2-year plan comes to $4.99 per month ($139.72 up front) and includes 4 extra months of protection for free. There's also a 5 GB eSIM and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It's not illegal to use a VPN, but they shouldn't be used for criminal activity. Neither Tom's Guide nor VPN providers condone the illegal use of VPNs. Nearly 21% of you said you had nothing to hide. This may be the case, but it doesn't mean you don't need a VPN. Privacy apathy is a growing concern, but regardless of whether you have something to hide, there's no harm in protecting your data. Just because you don't have anything to hide, it doesn't mean your data is safe. Without a VPN, a majority of your internet activity is tracked and third-parties profit off selling your data. Recent cyber attacks on retailers in the UK have shown that your data can't always be trusted in the hands of businesses. VPNs themselves can't directly protect you from a cyber attack, but many providers include threat protection in their plans. Threat Protection Pro from NordVPN has been voted as the best VPN malware protection and it's very effective at detecting and warning you about malware and malicious links and sites, plus it blocks ads and trackers. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have identity protection features as well. NordProtect and Identity Defender both offer up to $1 million in cyber insurance should you fall victim to a hack or scam. There's also credit and ID monitoring, and cyber extortion protection. NordVPN Prime: total cybersecurity protectionNordVPN Prime is the most complete package NordVPN has to offer. It includes the VPN, Threat Protection Pro, a password manager, cloud storage, and NordProtect. You'll have up to $1 million in cyber insurance, as well as credit monitoring and a dedicated case manager. The plan is only available in the U.S. and is $7.39 per month ($177.36 up front pre-tax). As with all NordVPN plans, it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. For a limited time, it also comes with a free 10 GB Saily eSIM. Like just over 12% of readers, concerns around VPNs tracking you might be why you don't subscribe to one. Don't worry, reputable VPN providers will not track you. None of your usage data is logged, stored, or shared, and, as mentioned, some providers even include ad and tracker blocking features. A no-logs policy is a provider's commitment and promise to you that it doesn't record what you're doing when connected to a VPN. These are free to read on VPN provider's websites and are often independently audited by security companies. No-logs policies can even be proven in court. A recent case involving Windscribe was thrown out after the provider showed it was physically impossible to hand over usage data to authorities. The case showed just how important verifiable no-logs policies are. The most private VPNs collect as little data as possible, but some information must be stored. Most, but not all, VPNs require an email address to create an account and credit card information to pay for your chosen plan. A VPN can see where you connect to its servers from, known as your connecting IP address. But this shouldn't be logged and any further data is hidden, encrypted, and never stored. Providers such as Mullvad and Obscura VPN, don't require email or credit card information, with the latter describing itself as private "by design." Proton VPN is another privacy-focused VPN and has a host of anti-censorship features designed to protect the most vulnerable VPN users. You can even subscribe to Proton VPN Free without creating an account. Proton VPN: the most private VPNProton VPN is a provider which is dedicated to protecting your privacy. Up to 10 devices can benefit from rock-solid encryption and there's over 12,000 servers to choose from. It's fast, unblocks all major streaming sites, and has dedicated anti-censorship features, as well as one of the best free VPNs. The 2-year deal equates to $3.59 per month ($86.16 up front) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Not wanting, or being unable, to pay for a VPN is understandable and something 36% of readers cited as a reason for not having one. We don't want there to be any obstacles to VPN protection, but they often require an up-front payment which isn't possible for everyone. If price is your biggest barrier to VPN protection, then one of the best free VPNs could be for you. Not every free VPN is trustworthy but those we recommend will protect your data with the same levels of privacy and security as their paid counterparts. Free VPNs don't have loads of features, tend to only protect one device, and can have monthly data limits. But they do the basics well and are a great first step into VPNs. Surfshark: the best cheap VPNSurfshark is our favorite cheap VPN. With speeds exceeding 950 Mbps in our testing, it's the fastest VPN we've tested and sits at #2 in our best VPN list. It's great for streaming, has some of the best privacy and security around, and can protect an unlimited number of devices. The 2-year deal works out at $2.19 per month ($59.13 up front before tax) for 27 months of protection. Surfshark has just launched its 7-day free trial and has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try before you buy. If you can afford to pay for a VPN but don't want to spend a fortune, then it's worth checking out one of the best cheap VPNs. Coming in at just over $2 per month, we rate Surfshark as the best cheap VPN overall – it's also the fastest VPN we've tested and number two in our overall VPN rankings. Private Internet Access (PIA) is another great option for around the $2 per month mark. PrivadoVPN is an even cheaper option, coming in at just over $1 per month. So ,no matter your budget, there's a VPN for you. It's never been more important to take control of your data and online privacy, and a VPN is the perfect tool to help you in that quest. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Grab yourself some great VPN deals this Memorial Day
U.S. Memorial Day 2025 is nearly upon us. Travel might be high on your agenda this holiday period, but have you considered the risks that come with it? Whether you're travelling abroad, meeting friends and family, or just staying local, cybersecurity threats are never far away and the best VPNs are here to help. AAA predicts over 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the weekend and a VPN is the perfect travel companion. You might find yourself posting on social media, browsing the web away from home, or trying to find time to catch up on your favorite streaming shows. A VPN can help with all of this and there are some great deals and discounts to be found this Memorial Day. Not every provider has a Memorial Day or holiday deal – ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are noticeable absentees. But there are a few deals around, and we've collated some of the best. Plus, some providers are throwing in a free eSIM with certain plans, ideal for if you want to secure your data when travelling abroad. Here's everything you need to know about Memorial Day's best VPN deals. Surfshark: the best 'cheap' dealSurfshark sits at #2 on our best VPN list and is a brilliant cheap VPN. With speeds exceeding 950 Mbps in our testing, it's the fastest VPN out there and is perfect for streaming. Surfshark's apps are simple to use and you can protect as many devices as you like on one plan. The 2-year deal starts at $1.99 per month ($53.73 up front). There's 4 extra months of protection thrown in for free and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark's spring sale sees it drop to the cheapest price it's been for a while, with the two-year plan working out at just $1.99 per month ($53.73 up front). Surfshark is a fantastic VPN and sits at number two on our best VPN list. We rate it as the best cheap VPN and it's the fastest VPN we've tested – hitting speeds of over 950 Mbps. This makes it one of the best streaming VPNs, and in our testing it unblocked all the major streaming sites with ease. So wherever you are this Memorial Day weekend, you should have no trouble accessing your favorite shows. Surfshark's unlimited connections policy means you can protect as many devices as you like on one plan – everyone you see this weekend can benefit from VPN protection. Surfshark has rock-solid privacy and security credentials and easy to use apps. You can even create a fake online alias thanks to its Alternative ID feature. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee and an extra four months of protection included for free. NordVPN: the best VPN NordVPN is our #1 rated VPN provider. It's fast, great for streaming, and boasts class-leading privacy. There's over 7,000 servers worldwide and protection for up to 10 devices. The 2-year plan works out at $3.39 per month ($81.36 up front). It includes a free 1 GB Saily eSIM and a 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is the best VPN out there right now. It combines speed, features, privacy, and security, making it a superb all rounder. Plans start at $3.39 per month ($81.36 up front), with a 1 GB eSIM thrown in for free. 5 and 10 GB eSIMs are included with more expensive plans. This deal isn't the cheapest we've seen Nord, but it's still a lower price than some of its competitors. What's great about this deal is the inclusion of a Saily eSIM. Saily brings cybersecurity protection to the world of eSIMs. You can purchase mobile data for over 200 countries, enabling you to avoid nasty roaming charges or dodgy free public Wi-Fi. There's an ad and tracker blocker, plus Virtual Location allows you to hide your true location. Like Surfshark, NordVPN is super fast and can exceed 950 Mbps. You can protect up to 10 devices on one plan and there's apps for all major platforms. It has some of the best streaming unblocking capabilities and there's over 7,000 servers worldwide. More expensive plans included additional features such as Threat Protection Pro, the NordPass password manager, and NordProtect – an ID theft protection suite. Proton VPN: the best VPN for privacyProton VPN makes privacy its priority. It's a verified no-logging VPN and is very secure. Plus it boasts a host of anti-censorship features designed for those living with internet restrictions. It's very quick, has a load of features, and can protect up to 10 devices on one plan. $2.99 per month ($71.76 up front) for the 2-year plan is the cheapest we've seen it for a long time. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee and also one of the best free VPNs, Proton VPN Free. Proton VPN is celebrating its anniversary with this great deal. At $2.99 per month ($71.76 up front), this is as cheap as Proton VPN has ever been. There's no extra months or free eSIMs, but if privacy is your biggest concern, this deal isn't to be missed. Protecting your privacy is Proton VPN's primary goal. It's a verified no-logs VPN, with a huge 12,000-strong server fleet. It's just as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark and has excellent streaming credentials. Its apps aren't the simplest for beginners but the UI has recently had a shiny new update. Proton's real strength lies in its privacy. It offers a host of anti-censorship features specifically designed for those living under internet restrictions. You can route your VPN traffic through two servers rather than one with Secure Core, and even access Proton VPN Free – one of the best free VPNs – without creating an account. IPVanish: travel securely with a 3 GB eSIMIPVanish isn't a VPN big hitter but has a holiday deal worth considering. The 2-year Advanced plan includes a free 3 GB eSIM, and some great features, for $3.29 per month ($85.97 up front). There's protection for an unlimited number of devices, award winning threat protection, and speeds of over 700 Mbps. IPVanish won't set the world alight, but it's a very solid VPN. If you like the idea of a free eSIM, you might be interested in this deal from IPVanish. The 2-year "Advanced" plan is $3.29 per month ($78.96 up front) and comes with a free 3 GB eSIM. This is cheaper than NordVPN Basic and you get more data. IPVanish can't quite match the big hitters, but it still offers some very decent features. There's VIPRE, an award winning threat protection, a QR code and link checker, cloud backup, a secure browser, and unlimited device protection. As well as this, IPVanish boasts speeds of over 700 Mbps, a verified no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So it's one to consider this Memorial Day. PrivadoVPN: cheap and fastPrivadoVPN is incredible value. The 2-year plan comes in at just $1.11 per month ($30 up front), with 3 extra months for free. It's not packed full of features, but if your main priority is streaming then it's one to look at. It's great at unblocking and is very quick. Server size is limited, but there's protection for 10 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can't beat PrivadoVPN for price. The $1.11 per month ($30 up front) price tag has been here a while and it's incredible value. PrivadoVPN is very fast and could be for you if all you want to do is stream. There's P2P support and a 10 device connection limit. It's not packed with features and you may experience difficulty with some of its apps. However, its free VPN, PrivadoVPN Free, is the best out there. You're not going to get a lot of thrills with PrivadoVPN, but for the price it's hard to ignore. You might be wondering why you need a VPN this Memorial Day (and beyond). VPNs protect your privacy – not anonymity. They encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, keeping it hidden from third parties and hackers. VPNs keep your data safe when browsing the web and some premium plans come with added threat protection features. These tools often include ad and tracker blockers and warn you about potential malware, scams, or viruses. NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro was recently rated as the best VPN malware protection. Surfshark's antivirus and IPVanish's VIPRE are also both award winning. Travel is often a big part of Memorial Day weekend, and you may find yourself away from home. If you're tempted to connect to free, public Wi-Fi, maybe in a hotel or airport, then a VPN can help. Hackers can intercept these Wi-Fi networks and even set up their own fake hotspots, designed to steal your data when you connect to them. A VPN will hide your personal data, keeping it safe even if a hacker accesses it. You may decide to use mobile data rather than free Wi-Fi. eSIMs are the perfect way to avoid nasty roaming charges. NordVPN and IPVanish include a free eSIM in their deals, with locations available worldwide. Finally, a VPN is ideal for unblocking streaming sites. If you're away from home but can't miss your favorite show, connect to a server in your home country and stream away. The best streaming VPNs can unblock all major platforms, and as long as your internet is good, won't slow you down. VPNs aren't for everyone but they might be for you. Just remember, they can't save you money on your Memorial Day flights! We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Tom's Guide
20-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
NordVPN announces post-quantum encryption support for all applications
NordVPN has announced that post-quantum encryption (PQE) is now available on all its platforms. From our testing, we rate NordVPN as the best VPN available, and it has overseen a staggered approach to its PQE protection. Its implementation is made possible thanks to the NordLynx protocol. Widespread adoption of quantum computers isn't far off. They will soon be able to crack the current AES-256 encryption with ease – an event known as Q-Day – so adopting PQE is a must for VPN providers. There's a debate over whether rolling out PQE is necessary now or a premature move. But regardless of when, PQE is needed – and here's how NordVPN is handling it. NordVPN: the best VPN availableNordVPN is our #1 VPN. It's super fast, packed full of features, and great for streaming. You can protect up to 10 devices on one plan – with full support for post-quantum encryption. The 2-year plan starts at $3.39 per month ($81.36 up front plus tax). Plus, the plan comes with a free 1 GB Saily eSIM and a 30-day money-back guarantee. September 2024 saw NordVPN first launch PQE, rolling it out on its Linux VPN app. The VPN provider set a target of early 2025 for all other platforms to receive PQE. PQE is now available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, along with protection for tvOS and Android TV. There are some limitations to NordVPN's PQE support. It only works with the NordLynx protocol, so won't activate when you use Dedicated IP, OpenVPN, obfuscated servers, or NordWhisper. Enabling PQE will also turn off Meshnet because the features are not compatible. PQE is enabled via a toggle switch. Head to "Settings" and then "Connections" on your NordVPN app and turn PQE on. Once done, PQE will automatically be activated whenever you connect to a server via the NordLynx protocol. NordLynx is NordVPN's custom VPN protocol. It's based on WireGuard, and is known for its speed and security. NordVPN has implemented PQE in accordance with standards set by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST has spent years researching and testing PQE methods and finalized three standards in August 2024. "As quantum computing advances, the traditional encryption methods used by most VPN protocols today will eventually become vulnerable," said Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN. "By integrating PQE into our VPN infrastructure, we're taking a proactive step to ensure long-term confidentiality and resilience for our customers' data, both now and in a post-quantum future." ExpressVPN and Mullvad are the only other two mainstream providers to offer PQE protection across the board. ExpressVPN integrated PQE into its Lightway protocol in January 2025, while Mullvad launched its PQE strategy back in 2017. PureVPN and Windscribe also support PQE, but not for all applications. IPVanish is planning a 2025 release for PQE support and Surfshark said it is "actively implementing PQE now." Proton VPN is taking a slower approach and doesn't want to rush its implementation. Proton VPN General Manager, David Peterson, said the provider wanted to release PQE support "once across the whole Proton ecosystem" and described PQE technologies as "a marathon, not a sprint."
Tom's Guide
14-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Travel securely this Memorial Day with a free eSIM from NordVPN
Memorial Day is just around the corner in the U.S. and that can mean travel for many Americans. But travel can come with risks, so NordVPN is offering protection this Memorial Day with 76% off 2-year plans and a free Saily eSIM. The deal launches today (May 14), runs through Memorial Day, and finishes on July 2. NordVPN is currently 76% off, with the 2-year plan working out at $3.09 per month. But in addition to this, new subscribers will benefit from a free Saily eSIM with all two year deals. NordVPN Basic and Standard will come with a 1 GB eSIM, NordVPN Plus will come with a 5 GB eSIM, and all other two-year plans will come with a 10 GB eSIM. Sitting top of our best VPN list, NordVPN is a great all round VPN. It's ideal if you want to protect your data and online browsing this Memorial Day. NordVPN Basic: all round VPN protectionNordVPN is our #1 rated VPN. It's super fast, ideal for streaming, and offers class-leaing privacy and security. There's over 7,000 servers worldwide and you can protect up to 10 devices. The 2-year deal works out at $3.09 per month ($83.43 up front before tax). With this deal you benefit from an extra 3 months of protection and a 1 GB Saily eSIM – both for free. NordVPN Plus: the best VPN malware protectionNordVPN Plus is for those looking to go beyond just VPN protection. This plan includes everything NordVPN Basic offers but includes a host of extra cybersecurity features. You get the best VPN malware, phishing, ad blocker, and tracking protection in the form of Threat Protection Pro, as well as the NordPass password manager. The 2-year plan comes to $3.99 per month ($107.73 up front before tax). You also get 3 extra months of protection for free and 5 GB Saily eSIM. NordVPN Prime: total cybersecurity protectionIf you're looking for total cybersecurity protection, you might want to consider NordVPN Prime. You benefit from everything the previous NordVPN plans have to offer but also get access to 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and NordProtect. NordProtect provides you with up to $1 million in cyber insurance, as well as credit monitoring and identity theft protection. The 2-year plan equates to $6.99 per month ($188.73 up front before tax). 3 extra months of protection is also included, as well as a free 10 GB Saily eSIM. Created by the team behind NordVPN, Saily brings cybersecurity protection to the world of eSIMs. Saily includes an ad-blocker and web protection, allowing you to block malicious sites and limit online trackers. In late 2024, Saily introduced Virtual Location which means you can hide your true browsing location. There are over 115 virtual locations ready to connect to and your traffic will be routed through one of NordVPN's servers. As well as being included in NordVPN plans, Saily eSIM can be purchased separately. There are over 200 locations available, with plans starting at $1.99. eSIMs can help you avoid expensive roaming charges and keep you safe from potentially compromised free, public Wi-Fi. eSIMs are a great travel companion. But if you're planning a trip abroad and wondering whether using a VPN can save you money on flights, you might be a little underwhelmed. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
