A good way to shield your online activity is to use Safari’s built-in private browsing option, but have you ever thought you needed more advanced protection? If so, this is where VPN services come into play, regardless of your preferred browser. However, the majority of Mac users prefer Safari because it is more lightweight and, unlike Chrome, isn’t such a resource hog. VPN services act like a tunnel that creates a secure connection between your computer and the VPN server to hide your online activity from the prying eyes of your ISP or the government, as well as to gain access to platforms and services otherwise blocked in your country of residence. After connecting to the selected secure server, just launch Safari and start browsing the web privately.
You may wonder why you need to download a VPN client when the visual component of the connection is the web browser and is used for accessing content across the internet. And you are absolutely right, but unfortunately – or not – VPN service providers didn’t rush to develop VPN add-ons for Safari as they had for other popular browsers such as Firefox, Chrome and Opera. The good part in this equation is that by having VPN software up and running all your internet traffic coming in and out of your Mac is protected.
This means that it doesn’t matter whether you are using Safari, Chrome or any other browser, your traffic is encrypted and goes through a ‘tunnel’ that hackers can’t access. Setting up a high-quality VPN client is quick and easy, and you can enjoy a secure connection in just a few clicks. Or you can manually set up your VPN, perhaps by using an open source client, which requires more time but provides the same security and privacy features.
With the plethora of VPN services available, there are a number of options to suit your needs in terms of price, speed and server locations. Don’t jump on the first paid offer, since many VPN services offer you the chance of starting out with a free account, one of which is Windscribe. There are three particularly good VPN providers to choose from, and so we’ve detailed each of them so you can pick the right one.
Windscribe is a VPN service founded in Ontario, Canada, having launched its service in April of 2015. It provides you full access to those blocked websites you want to visit, but that you are unable to reach due to region blocks for your location. With Windscribe you can virtually travel with your anonymous IP from Hong Kong to the U.S. without leaving you house. All you need to do is download the app – whether you want it on your PC, Mac, smartphone or any other system (there is also a browser extension) – and then create an account. What makes Windscribe different is that there is no misleading information, making everything easy to use. Furthermore, it features an ad block and social network and website tracking preventions. With regards to the pricing, there is an option to create a free account, or you can go ahead and try a monthly or a yearly subscription of $7.50 per month at its lowest. You are eligible to request a refund up to 3 days after purchase, which makes it possible to try Windscribe Pro without any risk.
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.
There’s nothing more zen than the peace of mind that comes from safe and secure online activity, and that’s just what Berlin-based ZenMate aims to provide. But although its intention to befriend VPN beginners rather than experienced users may translate into fewer features, it also means that ZenMate is one of the most user-friendly VPN providers. It covers a vast range of platforms – including software for both computers and mobile devices – and boasts handy extensions for the most popular browsers, tailoring its feature set for each of them and further simplifying its use. However, if there’s one thing that should nudge you to consider ZenMate, it’s the special promotion Best Reviews readers can unlock to earn significant savings and help you reach that zen-like state.
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