Articles by Luke Edwards

One of the most popular ways to use the best VPNs, aside from ensuring your privacy and security, is to unblock region restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix. NordVPN strikes the balance between these top features making it a powerful option when it comes to unblocking Netflix.

While streaming on Netflix can be a wonderful experience, with that clever buffering that has 4K and HDR quality video up and running with immersive Dolby Atmos sound near right away, it’s not always so easy. Netflix, like many other streaming services, does restrict access to content based on your location.

Why does Netflix block you? This is based on licenses bought for a particular show or movie to be shown in that region or country. Since pricing varies by place, Netflix is still limited by frankly dated region-based licensing deals. But there is a way around this by using a VPN.

Using a Netflix VPN allows you to appear to be somewhere you’re not, thanks to bouncing your signal through a secur…

If you’ve already installed one of the best VPNs, or are thinking of getting one – good for you, digital life just got more secure. But with all the intelligent ducking and diving your connection will be doing to keep you anonymous and secure, you may notice that your Android device is chewing through more battery. So, naturally, the question as to whether you should leave your Android VPN connected all the time is going to come up.

Battery life versus digital life security. Is it that simple? Not really. There are lots of uses for a VPN and there are also lots of different VPNs and phones. A combination of these three factors will help you decide how to use your VPN on your Android device.

What is your Android VPN for?

This question is a good place to start. If your VPN is on your device just so you can get around geo-restrictions to stream video content, for example, then you only need to use it then. You can easily fire up your VPN, set a location, and watch your favorite sho…

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great way to keep your online identity anonymous and your data secure. This is especially important when using your smartphone where so much of your personal information is stored.

One way that your information or identity can be accessed is via an insecure open Wi-Fi connection. Since a phone is something you always have on you as you move about, it’s a device that will likely connect to a lot of open Wi-Fi networks. From hotel and airport Wi-Fi to coffee shop and bar connections – they’re all a potential portal into the darker depths of the internet.

On a lighter note, a VPN can help you gain access to geo-restricted content like U.S. Hulu or Netflix content while abroad.

So why is a VPN important and how can it help on your phone? Let’s take a look at the advantages.

A VPN keeps your phone hidden

When you connect to a new Wi-Fi network you’re given an IP address that identifies you. From this, information about you can be attained, like…

A free VPN, or virtual private network, is a wonderful thing — as many things that are free tend to be. But, as is also often the case, you get what you pay for and a paid VPN is often better. That said, it all depends on what you need. So which is the best VPN for you, free or paid?

The price difference between these two options is clearly big, going from totally free to the average monthly price of a VPN which is about $10. But subscribe for longer and you save money that way.

The downside of going for a free option — and one of the main differences between the two — is the amount of data you can use. A free service will have a limit on your data usage in most cases, be it daily or monthly. Once you’ve gone over that data limit you will no longer be able to use the VPN. There is one unlimited service, but there are other limits, more on that below.

So a free VPN is a great option for those that want it for limited use — perhaps to check a map or certain website while abroa…

Since you’re here, chances are you’ve come across the term VPN, or Virtual Private Network, but hearing about it — because you want to watch BBC iPlayer on U.S. soil, or Netflix when traveling abroad — probably isn’t enough. If you want to know everything about why a VPN is also great for anonymity, security, and your personal online safety, you’re in the right place.

What is a VPN and why do I need one?

A VPN is a clever way of obscuring your online identity. Usually, when you go online you get connected to a server and given a unique IP address. This identifies where you are logging on from and can store data about you. Since these servers are relatively open, there are inherent risks to privacy and there could even be bad actors watching, and potentially, threats that can access your data. This IP address can give away your real world identity, allowing potentially negative entities to track you down. This is especially important when travelling and using open Wi-Fi at airport…

StrongVPN

Why choose StrongVPN

A simple VPN with lots of extras including Netflix unblocking and lots of simultaneous connections at once

Works with

Mac

Windows

Android

iPhone & iPad

Routers

Best VPN for

Netflix, Hulu, and streaming

Gaming

Torrenting and downloading

Security and privacy

See at StrongVPN

Pros

Unblocks Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video
12 simultaneous connections at once
High speeds

Cons

Does’t unblock BBC iPlayer
Features are minimal

StrongVPN is, as the name suggests, a powerful VPN – although it’s not one of the most premium options out there. But if you want a VPN to unblock streaming services and need lots of device connections at once, this could be one of the best VPN services for you.

There’s a simplicity about StrongVPN which is refreshing. For some that minimalism will be ap…

IPVanish

Why choose IPVanish VPN

A deeply customizable VPN that’s great for streaming, torrenting and use on lots of devices at once.

Works with

Mac

Windows

Android

iPhone & iPad

Linux

Routers

Best VPN for

Netflix, Hulu, and streaming

Gaming

Torrenting and downloading

Security and privacy

See at IPVanish

Pros

Netflix unblocking
Fast live chat support
Unlimited connections
Owned servers

Cons

Short trial
Odd issue with usability
No Bitcoin support

IPVanish is a VPN that’s U.S. based. For some that might be a red flag for security but in this case the provider owns and runs its own servers, meaning it can offer privacy and anonymity. It also means, if you’re U.S. based, you can get some great speeds on closer servers with over 1,700 dotted about more than 75 locations worldwide.

It’s not only the local server…

ExpressVPN

Why choose ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN space right now. The company offers wide coverage, amazing customer support, fast speeds, and much more. Simply put: ExpressVPN is the VPN provider to beat right now.

Works with

Mac

Windows

Android

iPhone & iPad

Linux

Routers

Best VPN for

Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and streaming

Gaming

Torrenting and downloading

Security and privacy

See at ExpressVPN

Pros

Superb 24/7 live chat customer service
Fast connections
Lots of international locations
Netflix unblocking

Cons

Not as cheap as some others
Limited to five connections simultaneously

ExpressVPN is one of the longest standing virtual private network services out there and is widely regarded as one of the best VPN services. Based in the British Virgin Islands, the company started …

If you’ve been working from home during the current global pandemic, then chances are you’ve been subjected to the awful realities of daytime television. From cheesy game shows to ancient reruns, lunch break viewing can fast become a rather painful experience. This is where the best YouTube VPN comes into play. It can help save the day and unblock YouTube for you quickly and easily.

Thankfully, we’ve got the likes of YouTube to keep us company, with its infinite supply of videos ranging across any topic imaginable. From cat videos to in-depth scientific discussions surrounding the mysteries of the universe, there’s something for everyone.

Unfortunately, YouTube’s content isn’t always accessible to everyone. Quite often, certain content may be blocked in different regions. If you’re trying to catch up on some classic dry wit from a UK panel show in the US, for example, then you might find your path blocked by an annoying error message. This is where using one of the best VPN services …

A virtual private network, or VPN, keeps your online activity secure from snooping by masking your identity and location. It does this by creating an encrypted “tunnel” to the server run by your VPN of choice, redirecting your internet connection there and spitting it out the other side with a different IP address than your own.

You’ll usually have to pay for the privilege via a monthly or annual subscription fee, with the latter the best option if you’re after a deal and can pay upfront. If you’ve never used one before, it might seem like a bit of an unnecessary expense but there are lots of situations where a VPN might come in handy. First and foremost, the extra security offered by a VPN is great for peace of mind – especially when you’re browsing the internet on a public Wi-Fi network.

These networks are often unsecured, which means they’re open to abuse from those in the know. Some are even set up by nefarious types for that very reason, and might look legit, but aren’t. When …