With literally hundreds of VPN providers out there, you have probably heard the term “kill switch”, but didn’t really know what it means or does. Before you think of it as an assassin that takes out its targets with a flick of a switch, read on. Despite its fearsome name, a VPN kill switch is a lifesaver feature, and from now on we guarantee you’ll be looking for it in every VPN provider you use. In short, it keeps your anonymity and privacy intact by stopping all internet usage if you’re suddenly disconnected and your VPN protection fails.
Thanks to high community demand, nowadays many VPN providers offer this so-called kill switch feature – and for very good reasons. Let’s say that you turned on your VPN to do something tricky, such as torrenting or simply browsing the web over a potentially dodgy public Wi-Fi network, when suddenly your VPN fails. In normal cases a VPN failure equals hitting an iceberg with the Titanic, but thanks to the kill switch you and your internet data and traffic are safe. In other words, the kill switch shuts down any questionable traffic until you can put on your VPN invisibility cloak again. Furthermore, if you have this feature and the option to connect automatically as soon as you start your system, you never end up being exposed again.
And before you think that being “nude” in front of everybody for a couple of seconds is not a big deal, we have some bad news: without a VPN, you are constantly monitored by your ISP, legal authorities and even governments. Doing questionable things without proper protection can, indeed, have severe consequences.
Also, because now many VPNs have a features that make them connect automatically, as soon as you start your system, with this little trick you never end up forgetting to turn on the VPN to keep safe your most private desires.
The majority of VPNs offering kill switch have this feature turned on by default which, if not needed, can surely be turned off any time in the solutions’ respective clients and settings. However, keep in mind that turning your kill switch off may result in getting suddenly exposed, regardless of how careful you are, so using VPNs without kill switch is absolutely not recommended. Another good reason to use kill switch is that, like many software, VPNs are far from perfect, which manifests in the form of sudden connection drops. When this occurs, the kill switch automatically detects the problem and kicks in immediately. Furthermore, if the VPN is used on a router and it suddenly fails, the kill switch can not only hide the internet traffic and history of your computer, but those of any other device connected to the same network as well.
IPVanish made a strong entrance as a VPN service provider in 2012, long before VPNs became so common, and it’s been further improving its service ever since. Fundamentally, this solution specializes in providing customers with secure and encrypted internet connections across all devices.
Offering customers an impressive 2,200 servers worldwide to choose from, IPVanish is both comprehensive and reliable. It’s also one of the few VPN providers that manage a big portion of its infrastructure in-house, owning 80% of its servers and only using self-developed software for its service. This reduces the company’s reliance on third parties, making it an even more trustworthy option.
As one of the strongest VPNs on the market, IPVanish also boasts a vast range of features that not only provide faster speeds but also permit a custom encryption level and all other elements of a VPN connection. With prices starting as low as $2.99 per month, users certainly get a lot for their money.
PureVPN has more than 6,000 servers worldwide with reliable, secire, and uninterrupted connections, compatibility with over 50 devices, and excellent customer service.
Prices start as low as $2.11 per month for the VPN, and those willing to pay a little more can get their hands on a password manager, file encryption, and personal privacy manager – all under the same subscription. Plus, with a 7-day free trial, 31-day money-back guarantee, add-ons, and discounts of up to 83%, it would be a mistake not to consider PureVPN as a viable option.
Part of the London Trust Media group, Private Internet Access (PIA) has long been a benchmark VPN solution. The service has undergone diverse changes to keep up with competitors since its launch in 2010, ensuring its high quality hasn’t changed.
The Private Internet Access VPN allows users to browse the internet anonymously using several encryption and privacy tools to guarantee total security on unlimited devices. Suitable for users of any ability, PIA offers an abundance of servers in over 90 countries and even reserves special servers for streaming. Plus, the service’s platform has a unique and simplified design, making its extensive customization as easy as pie.
The VPN service rewards committed clients who opt for longer plans while also letting newcomers get a risk-free taster of the product with its 7-day free trial (on the mobile app) and 30-day money-back guarantee.
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