Windows 10 is a considerable advancement on its predecessor, but with it comes a flurry of privacy glitches–some new and some derived. Integrated advertisement, Cortana, and information synchronization with Microsoft servers are all invented to help personalize user’s experience, but Windows couldn’t maintain a fine line between personalization and user privacy. This gem from Microsoft’s privacy policy moderately much sums it up:
“We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.”
Most of these telemetry and tracker services can be turned off, but they can also be turned back on without your consent during an update. Some can’t be turned off at all.
So, how can you preserve your online privacy and while using Windows 10? Read on to know the answer to this question.
Simply put, get the best VPN for Windows. A VPN encrypts and anonymizes all your internet activities. It also secures you on open public wi-fi networks and even lets you access geo-locked sites and services like Netflix. You may also check, How to Get American Netflix from Anywhere in the World?
Also, see, Is WiFi Your Cybersecurity’s Achilles Heel?
We have listed down our top 5 best VPN for Windows 10 users with an emphasis on the following criteria:
- App quality
- Supports OpenVPN protocol
- DNS leak protection
- Speed and performance
Now let’s dig deep into each criterion and to make you understand how important it is to consider all these factors before deciding on the best VPN for Windows.
App Quality
App quality is pretty self-explanatory. The setup and use of the native Windows client should be smooth and intuitive.
Supports OpenVPN protocol
The OpenVPN protocol is open-source and audited. It’s comparatively fast and generally regarded as the most secure and reliable protocol available. It doesn’t come built into Windows 10 like SSTP, L2TP, and PPTP, so these VPN service providers must provide the user with an app that makes configure OpenVPN easy.
DNS Leak Protection
DNS leaks are a common Windows 10 vulnerability; so VPNs that can overcome this are a necessity. A DNS leak invalidates a user’s anonymity by transmitting a web page request to their ISP instead of to a private DNS server through the VPN service. This enables your ISP and perhaps Windows to trace your web browsing.
Because Microsoft is the US-based in and is recognized to have complied with the NSA’s mass surveillance program, we favor VPN providers based outside the US to evade any further conflicts of interest. Also, check out, IP Leaks VS DNS Leaks
Why is VPN Necessary For Windows?
Globally, governments are enacting the law that makes them snoop on internet users. ISPs implement data retention on account of governments, and in the US they can even market web browsing histories to third parties. Also, many coalitions between countries – known as five eyes, nine eyes, and fourteen eyes – let countries keep an eye on each other to work around local restrictions.
By employing a VPN on the windows devices, your internet data is kept safe and private. There are two methods in which a VPN keeps you protected. First, all of the internet data traffic coming and going from your PC is encrypted. This stops anybody from tracking what you do on the web. Whether it is a hacker, your own ISP, the state, or your boss, you’re free from those inquisitive eyes.
Secondly, a VPN enables you to hide your IP (location). This not only helps you torrent securely but when you connect to a VPN server in the various country you can use foreign (geo-restricted) site services and online video content that would ordinarily be blocked. VPN technology also enables people to avoid restricted or banned content in their home country.
Benefits of the Best VPN for Windows
A VPN for windows can be beneficial in many ways, some of the core benefits are discussed below.
Increased Security
When you are using a VPN service for Windows to connect to the internet; your data is highly secure, and all the information you send and receive is encrypted using most secure encryption protocol by the best VPN for windows, which means all the data and your online activities is invisible from the evil eyes of hackers, spammers, and other cyber attackers. Do check out, Most Secure VPN Services
Remote Access
The VPN service for Windows can be the most significant asset for your company as it allows you access to the information remotely from anywhere, either from home or any other place, it enhances the productivity of the company.
Secure File Sharing
Either for business or your personal use, a VPN for Windows can be the best choice as it provides you the opportunity to connect to your peers and colleagues sitting far away and you can share large files for a longer time.
Low Cost
Once you buy the best VPN for windows, network setup and maintenance is not that much expensive and low cost. Also read, 5 Best Cheap VPN Services
Anonymity While Browsing
The Best VPNs for Windows provides you complete anonymity on the internet by hiding your original IP address so that no one on the internet can see your online details. Further, you can read, 5 Best Anonymous VPN Services
Access to Geo-blocked & Censored Content
Not only security but a Windows VPN also allows you to access the exclusive and valuable content from all around the world by bypassing the geo-blocked websites. Also see, How to Unblock Websites in UAE?
Quality Performance
By using the best VPN for Windows the bandwidth is divided wisely by the VPN, and it enhances the performance quality of your system and connection as well by providing you an expedient connection speed, please note that a VPN cannot be used as speed enhancer in any case, however, a good and reliable VPN can maintain the existing connection speed. It is recommended to use a good internet connection for better performance when using a VPN as the poor connection can cause slower speed with VPN.
Many Stable IP Addresses
The best VPNs for Windows allows you to change your IP address of any country you are required to access any website, out top VPN services provide you the facility to change your IP address to as many countries like USA, UK, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Spain, Italy, Middle East, Hong Kong, etc.
Best VPN for Windows
1. NordVPN
- Double encryption for added security
- Automatic kill switch
- A variety of platform support
- Six simultaneous connections
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3-Day free trial
2. ExpressVPN
- Unlimited Bandwidth with Ultra Speed
- Provides all VPN protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP
- Dedicated VPN Apps for Android & iOS
- High-End Security with OpenVPN 256-bits
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3 simultaneous connections
3. Surfshark
- AES 256-Bit Network Encryption
- Chrome Extension Available
- Kill-Switch functionality
- A variety of platform support
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
4. CyberGhost
- Uses AES 256 Encryption
- Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP
- DNS & IP Leak Protection
- Uses 2048 Key & MD5 Authentication
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
5. Private Internet Access
- Offers all Protocols PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec including SOCKS5 Proxy
- IPv6 Leak Protection & DNS Leak Protection
- Kill-Switch functionality
- Encrypted Wi-Fi Protection
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 10 simultaneous connections
Setting up a VPN for Windows
All of our suggested VPN services have client apps for Windows. Hence, all you have to do is subscribe, download the VPN app, install it, and click on ‘connect.’
Still, if you haven’t updated to the latest version of Windows the best bet is to look on your VPN provider’s guides page for a detailed setup guide.
Different types of VPN protocols
When you subscribe to a Windows VPN, you may be offered with many VPN encryption protocol choices. Here is a review of all those protocols.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) – gives minimal security and privacy but is fast. Not recommended for privacy.
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)/Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) – L2TP/IPsec provides stronger security than PPTP, along with medium speeds.
Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) – this is the most widely used protocol for iOS VPN clients. It is secure but not as safe as OpenVPN and is more often employed on Mac.
OpenVPN – an open-source and extremely secure protocol. This protocol implements military-grade encryption when VPN providers implement it accurately. All of the VPN services for Windows in this guide have got OpenVPN (implemented securely).
We think the best all-around protocol is OpenVPN. All of our recommended VPNs support this protocol.
How to manually set up a VPN on Windows 10
With all of the above-mentioned VPN providers; you only have to download and install the VPN app to get started and running with a VPN on your Windows devices. Connecting is as easy as signing in, picking a location, and tapping the Connect button.
But if a VPN app doesn’t entertain you, Windows 10 has built-in VPN aid that can be manually set up. However, the OS isn’t compatible with OpenVPN, so we suggest picking from L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, or IKEv2. Avoid PPTP; even though it is speedier and is somewhat easier to set up, it has common security vulnerabilities.
To kick-off, you’ll have to get the following data from your VPN service provider according to your preferred protocol:
- Username
- Password
- VPN server address
- Pre-shared secret or certificate
- In the search bar, type “VPN” and click on the menu cog at the top of the search results.
- On the menu that shows up, click Add a VPN
- Under VPN service provider, choose Windows (built-in). Fill in all of the other information mentioned above accordingly.
- The VPN should now be listed in the VPN menu. Click it and then hit Connect.
- Wait for a while for the connection to be made, and that’s all! You are connected.
- After you configure your VPN for the first time, you can access it more promptly by clicking on the wifi icon present in your system tray. It should be listed near the top.
Conclusion
We hope you would like our comprehensive guide on the best VPN for Windows. With the help of this guide, you can take the pick the choice to protect your Windows devices from the online threats stress-free. Still, if you have any queries, you can write it in the comment section below. Also, we would appreciate your feedback in the comments.
