What is a VPN?
A VPN (virtual private network) connection redirects your internet traffic through a secure tunnel, masking your IP and encrypting your data. It provides you with online privacy and protects you from potential attacks.
Advantages and disadvantages of a VPN
Once we know what a VPN is, we can move on to see what its main advantages and disadvantages are.
Advantages:
Provides greater data confidentiality
– Es una de las principales ventajas de usar una VPN, debido a la situación actual de pandemia, permite que muchos usuarios puedan trabajar sin estar físicamente en la empresa, por lo que favorece el teletrabajo de forma segura.
Greater security on public Wi-Fi connections
– Permite la conexión a redes públicas inalámbricas de manera segura y encriptada, por lo que nos protege de posibles ataques de otros usuarios conectados en la misma red.
Avoid blockages/censorship of our country
– Podemos aprovechar la geolocalización del servidor para eliminar las barreras de censura de otros países. Por lo que podremos tener acceso a programas específicos de ciertos países.
Have dedicated servers
– La mayoría de VPN ofrecen paquetes con servicios extra por un módico precio, como pueden ser servicios en la nube de datos privados, bloqueadores de anuncios o incluso, filtros para detectar vulnerabilidades en nuestro correo electrónico.
Increase security with P2P downloads
– Cuando realizamos descargas P2P las compañías pueden limitar nuestra conexión, en cambio, con una VPN no pueden limitarla aunque cabe destacar que aun así la velocidad de descarga no será la que tengamos contratada pero será notablemente mejor que si la hacemos sin VPN.
Disadvantages:
Speed and latency
➢ The upload and download speed is reduced when using a VPN, this occurs since the packets also have to reach the VPN server, this added to the encapsulation layer that it includes and the security of the tunnel makes routing More expensive.
Security is better, but not impenetrable
– Dependiendo de la VPN que utilicemos la seguridad será mayor o menor, en ambos casos no nos libra al 100% de ser posibles víctimas de un ataque.
If we want to be completely anonymous we must use Tor
– The VPN gives us a certain confidentiality from our provider but there is always information about the origin of the package that the VPN does not mask. This is only possible using Tor, so if we want to be completely anonymous we must use both simultaneously, both Tor and the VPN.
Limitations in certain countries
– Existen algunos países que limitan el uso de las VPN y, por otro lado, hay algunos otros que prohíben el uso de las mismas.
The vast majority of services are paid
– En caso de no poder montar nosotros mismos nuestra propia VPN no nos queda más remedio que contratar una VPN como servicio de pago, siempre que queramos una red estable, segura y rápida.
OWN VPN VS VPN AS A SERVICE
Own VPN:
Pros:
● Security to connect from public networks
● Access to the network as if we were local
● Greater security (no need to open ports on the router)
● Free
Cons:
● The speed depends on the upload speed of our network
● Less speed, higher ping
● We need hardware for the VPN server
● We browse with the Public IP of the VPN server
VPN as a service:
Pros:
● Freedom to choose the exit node
● We avoid geographical restrictions
● We avoid P2P penalties or penalties from other servers
● Browsing and privacy from ISPs (Internet Service Provider)
● Connection security through encryption
● Ease of use and configuration
Cons:
● Monthly/annual economic cost, the longer the stay, the cheaper it will be.
CURRENTLY BEST VPNs
Now that we are clearer about the concept of VPN, as well as the difference between its types, we can move on to see which are the best options currently on the market.
NordVPN
The download/upload speed is maintained compared to the contracted speed, simple, fluid and easy-to-use interface, it works constantly well and also has a very low ping (fast connection in a stable manner). Price: €9.56/month Other notable features:
◆ Strong encryption
◆ Updated tunnel protocols
◆ NO-LOGS Policy (The 0-logs policy is one in which the VPN provider does not collect any information about the user)
◆ Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
◆ Kill switch (The VPN disconnects from the internet when your VPN disconnects without express action on your part, or when the anonymity and security of the connection are compromised)
surfshark
The reduction in download/upload speed is minimal (it has worse ping than ExpressVPN), it has the option to select the fastest server automatically. Price: €10.87/month
Other notable features:
◆ Strong encryption
◆ Stealth protocols
◆ NO-LOGS Policy (The 0-logs policy is one in which the VPN provider does not collect any information about the user)
◆ Leak protection
◆ RAM only servers (No data is stored if the server is turned off)
◆ Additional browser extensions
◆ Kill switch (The VPN disconnects from the internet when your VPN disconnects without express action on your part, or when the anonymity and security of the connection are compromised)
ExpressVPN
The reduction in download/upload speed is minimal, easy to use, correct functionality. Disadvantage: Price: €11.18/month
Other notable features:
◆ Advanced data encryption
◆ IP and DNS protection
◆ NO-LOGS Policy (The 0-logs policy is one in which the VPN provider does not collect any information about the user)
◆ RAM only servers (No data is stored if the server is turned off)
◆ Kill switch (The VPN disconnects from the internet when your VPN disconnects without express action on your part, or when the anonymity and security of the connection are compromised)
Looking at and comparing its features, this would be our top 3 best VPN today, with NordVPN being the most complete and economical.
