It is our belief that everyone should run a VPN on his/her computer, smartphone, tablet and all other devices. However, it is important to understand that not all VPNs are made equal, with the best services packing more features than some others.
But, you may be thinking, I don’t need all the possible features — and you’re right. You do, however, need what we would deem essential or key features that make for a great VPN service. Here are those must-have features:
1. No-log policy
What you want from a VPN provider is a strong commitment that it won’t collect too much (if any) data on your web whereabouts. Since a VPN sits between you and the internet, it is able to learn a ton about you, your habits, favorite websites and web services, and so on. And why in the world would you give that privilege to anyone? Rather, you should get a VPN with a proven privacy track-record, one which won’t collect — let alone sell — your data.
Some VPNs may collect some information, and in some cases that could be acceptable. As long as they do it in a way that keeps your identity under the radar, we’re good with that. Such unidentifiable information is typically collected in order to keep track of the network performance and to, consequently, improve the service for all users.
2. Kill Switch
As its name says, the kill switch is there to “kill” your internet access should the VPN connection drops for any reason. Or to put it in other words, a kill switch prevents the user from unknowingly being connected to the network unprotected. This, in turn, will keep your IP address hidden from prying eyes even if your VPN service stops working.
It is important to emphasize that even the best of the best VPNs have this feature, knowing that something could always go wrong. So they’ve integrated kill switch across their apps, giving users an additional layer of security. And we like them for that.
3. Leak Protection
Related to the previous point, top VPNs include DNS and IP leak protection that will keep your real IP address hidden at multiple potential breakpoints. Combined with the kill switch and zero-logs policy, leak protection makes sure your identity stays under the radar under diverse circumstances. It is another must-have feature you should require from a VPN provider.
4. Strong Encryption
Zero logs policy, kill switch and leak protection won’t get you anywhere if your data is freely “flowing around the Interwebs.” What you want is strong encryption… And by strong, we mean the top-level encryption – the AES-256-GCM. This is the same encryption government agencies, even the infamous NSA, use to protect their communication. Also, the same encryption standard is utilized by major corporations, which too need to keep parts of the business under the radar (think: R&D departments).
So if this encryption is good for them, it could also “work” for you. And since it’s offered by many top VPN providers, why not get it. It’s not like you’ll have to pay more to use it — AES-256-GCM comes included as part of the deal.
5. Camouflage Mode
Camouflage mode is known by different names depending on the VPN service provider. However it is called, the feature allows you to remain incognito from even your own networks and ISPs. In other words, users of VPNs with camouflage mode have no reason to be concerned about ever being tracked or exposed. Also, the same feature lets you bypass government censors in high-censorship countries — so yes, you should demand it from a VPN provider. And again, it comes included with the best VPNs. Check them out and get it from there.