Month: July 2019

Britain’s Thin Privacy Law

 

If you were to think of countries with poor privacy laws, who would come to mind?

China probably, maybe North Korea and Iran.

Add the UK to that list. Privacy International a group based in the UK ranked 49 countries based upon their approach to privacy. The ranking included statutory protection, privacy enforcement, data sharing, surveillance, government access to data and communication interception as part of the 14 criteria.

The UK ranked fifth from the bottom.

The main law which gives the UK intelligence and law enforcement agencies access to your personal communication is the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, nicknamed the “Snooper’s Charter”

The Act essentially gave government agencies wide-reaching powers for surveillance. Including mass communication access and bulk interception and collection of data and communications. On top of this, all communication service providers are now legally required to retain “internet connection records”. These records include websites you visited for an entire year. Government agencies can access this data without a warrant.

In short, the UK government can pretty much do whatever it likes with your data. They can snoop on anyone and on the thinnest of premises that you are engaged or connected in someone to somebody engaged in illegal or terrorist activities. Though the law was changed in 2018 to the Data Retention and Acquisition Regulations, to only encompass serious crime which was liable to a year or more in prison.

These changes were only made as a result of the Court of Justice for the European Union ruling the previous law a breach of human rights. With the UK set to leave the EU, chances are we would expect to see more draconian laws in place under the guise of “public security”

 

Why Use a VPN In The UK?

There is no right to privacy written into the English constitution. The UK became famous for coining the phrase “Big Brother” as London has more CCTV cameras per square foot than any other city in the world. Only recently overtaken by Beijing. Estimates show that the UK has 1 camera per 12-14 people. On top of this, you have a government that essentially has given carte blanche to agencies to snoop on any data it feels fit.

If you want to maintain your privacy use a VPN. With your broadband provider now compelled to keep records of the websites, you have visited for 1 year. There has never been a better time to keep your data secure.

VPN’s work by encrypting your connection between the VPN client on your mobile phone or PC and your browser. This both changes your IP and keeps your data safe. Meaning that no ISP or government agency can snoop on you.

It’s worth noting that we don’t recommend VPN’s based in the UK. HideMyAss is probably the most well-known VPN still based in the UK and twice has been compelled to produce logs it kept helping the Police in a criminal trial. As part of the 5 eyes, community the UK shares intelligence with the US and other countries.

UK Data Retention Laws are very strict and subject to investigatory powers. These laws mean any companies operating in the UK must keep significant logs and submit these to the Police upon request. In many cases, the Police do not even require a warrant.

Also, the UK Porn Ban looming, where anyone accessing an adult content website will be compelled to prove their age through the means of ID.

Secure your privacy and data today, by choosing from one of our Top 5 VPN providers.

 

Content In the UK

In spite of their lack of privacy, Britain makes some of the best television content in the World. The BBC is a particularly interesting case. Since taxpayers fund the BBC, it is supposed to be limited for the enjoyment of those who pay. This has created a strong use case for those trying to access high-quality British content from BBC iPlayer to use a VPN. 

ITV Hub and Sky Go are other popular services that a VPN service can allow access to if you are an ex-pat or travelling outside the UK. Tapping into the wealth of TV options can also give access to great sporting events. All the VPN services that we recommend are capable of streaming from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Sky Go.

 

YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITY IS BEING WATCHED

ReviewVPN cannot attest to the legality, security and privacy of the applications discussed on this site. It is highly recommended that you use a VPN service while streaming or using Kodi.

Currently, your IP 216.73.216.208 is visible to everyone and your Browser is being tracked by Advertisers & ISP Provider.

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Here are the main reasons why you must use a VPN:

• Your activities are hidden from your ISP, the government, and from the apps you are using.
• You can access additional movies and TV streams.
• ISP attempts to throttle are thrwarted thus reducing buffering issues.
• Geographically restricted content like Netflix and Hulu can be unblocked.

A VPN works be replacing your ISP-assigned IP address and creating an encrypted tunnel. We recommend the no log service offered by IPVanish. It works well on a Firestick and offers the fastest possible speeds.

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Top 5 UK VPN Providers

Surfshark

Surfshark is relatively new to the VPN industry but is fast becoming an up and rising star with one of the fastest-growing user bases. Due to cheap prices and great additional features.

Surfshark impressed us with its wide range of features. Clean Web acts as an advanced adblocker, letting you block ads, cookies and scripts. You also get a Whitelister to allow certain programs to bypass your VPN, like tunneling.

There is a massive range of security protocols. Camouflage Mode helps to hide traffic from your ISP by scrambling your metadata. Avoid censorship in China using No Borders Mode. You also have a Multi-Hop function that can rout your traffic through 2 neighboring country VPN servers.

All this along with a solid zero logs policy. Though yet untested as well as an independent third-party audit for their policies and a code review of their security protocols from a German security company.

They also offer some of the lowest prices in the industry with a 2-year plan coming in at $1.99 per month. You can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Though we did notice that Surf shark is still having some teething trouble with its mobile application. We are sure they will work out the kinks and this is just a reflection of a quick rollout and growth which can be fixed with adequate updates and patches.

 

 

 

How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick

If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.

Follow our screenshots below to install the SurfShark VPN app on your Fire TV stick.

1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.

 

2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.

 

3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.

 

4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.

 

5. Press the Download (You own it) button.

 

6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.

 

7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.

 

8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.

 

9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.

 

10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.

Learn more about Surfshark and Grab the Best Surfshark Deal Now!

 

Install Surfshark on Firestick

Best Surfshark Deal

 

 

For more VPN discounts, go to ReviewVPN Deals and purchase the best VPN for you.

Click here to get the lowest price on Surfshark through our exclusive limited-time offer.

 

NordVPN

NordVPN offers the largest number of servers of any VPN provider. They have 5,500+ servers in 60+ countries you are never far from a fast connection.

Their size and popularity mean they also offer a wealth of functions that some other providers don’t. Cybersec filters malicious websites effectively block as and tracking cookies that all websites use to track you and deliver targeted adverts. The software is effective and useful. Browsing the internet ad-free makes you realize just how much extra screen space is taken up to suck your attention.

NordVPN also adds additional security features. You can access Tor over Onion, which lets you access The Onion Router, a series of distributed public nodes globally. This makes your traffic untraceable but slow. DoubleVPN advertised by other providers as Multi-Hop allows your connection to be routed through 2 different VPN servers. You can also access especially obfuscated servers that mask your traffic as normal HTTPS traffic. Really useful for high censorship countries like China, Turkey, and Iran.

On top of this, they offer military-grade encryption and a wide range of security protocols. P2P servers that are proven to work with Kodi and GeoIP-locked media providers like US Netflix.

Packages start from as little as $2.10 per month and give you access to 6 simultaneous devices.

 

 

IPVanish

Most Brits aren’t used to great customer service. We bear it begrudgingly as the price of using many British companies. Prepare for a breath of fresh air with IPVanish. This US VPN heavyweight has built a spectacular reputation as always being there to help.

They go above and beyond all our other providers in providing help and advice to new VPN users, which makes them a perfect VPN to use if you are not technology savvy. An extensive support center, ticket system, 24/7 online service agents, and even a toll-free US number to speak to an actual person.

Like ExpressVPN they are also a completely self-owned network. Meaning from software to DNS server, IPVanish keeps everything in-house, which makes for increased privacy, security, and uptime.

IPVanish is consistently ranked as one of the fastest VPN providers, with a depth of 2,000 servers in 70+ locations. These speeds are consistent across the network even in Latin America and Asia where many providers fall. You also get access to 40,000+ IP addresses, using IP sharing. Where multiple users are registered using the same IP, making it next to impossible for anyone users’ traffic to be tracked.

They have a solid zero logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, and industry-standard security protocols. With prices starting as low as $6.49 per month you can also connect unlimited devices simultaneously at the same time.

 

 

 

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has built a solid reputation for privacy, stability, and integrity. Their zero logs were publicly tested in an international criminal case that involved the assassination of an ambassador. The authorities seized their servers and returned them none the wiser. ExpressVPN won the trust of millions of its users because it had shown it truly keeps no records of what its users do online.

With 3,700+ servers in 90+ countries, ExpressVPN is one of the few companies that owns its own DNS servers. That means third-party involvement is kept to a minimum. All your data is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption. The same is used by the US military. Unbreakable even using a supercomputer.

Prices start from $6.67 per month, with some highlighting how this is far higher than other providers like NordVPN. But you get what you pay for. A stable and blazing-fast internet connection.

Using a VPN will slow your broadband speed initially sometimes by up to 30%, but with ExpressVPN you barely notice the difference. They are well known for maintaining high-speed servers and connections across the globe. Meaning you can enjoy unlimited bandwidth and high speeds wherever you are.

They embrace torrenting and have specially configured servers for P2P. You can even speed-test all your local servers in their application to find the fastest. Also, ExpressVPN will easily bypass any geographic restrictions allowing you to access porn in the UK, Netflix in the US, or any application you can think of on Kodi.

 

 

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is probably the most public VPN company you are likely to come across. With a clear history and photos of all their 70+ strong managing and engineering team, it gives you a rare insight into the world of a top VPN provider.

With over 30 million users CyberGhost offers some of the biggest servers in the industry. 3,700+ servers across 60+ countries with 1,000 of those configured for high-speed P2P connections.

Their application is a dream to use and is customized for those relatively new to VPN services. You get the option to choose servers based on simple icons like Netflix, Torrent or browse. This makes sure you get connected to a server that is either faster or more secure. On annual packages, you can also access CyberGhost No Spy Servers.

They also use similar IP sharing protocols as Surfshark, Multiple users share the same IP using IP Pooling. With fast servers and variety, you’ll have no trouble using Kodi, watching BBC iPlayer or checking out the latest shows on US Netflix.

You also get software that allows you to block ads, malicious websites, and cookies. One side note is that there have been some questions around CyberGhost’s logging policy, and there are other providers out there who will log less.

Prices start as low as $2.10 per month for multi-year plans, allowing you to connect to 7 devices simultaneously and an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee.

 

 

 

Final Words

We hope this article give you the best VPN for UK. Thank you for reading!

What VPN Protocol Should I Use

 

As you become more familiar with your VPN you are ready to learn about VPN protocols. These security protocols are how your VPN tunnels from the application to the DNS server and back.

These are the rules that negotiation your VPN connection.

When evaluating a VPN protocol, you must consider several considerations.

Most important are speed and encryption.

Followed by stability, compatibility (do many VPN providers offer it), and how it handles streaming and torrenting.

In this article, we look at the 5 most common VPN protocols, as well as 4 lesser-known newer protocols that are making waves.

 

OpenVPN – Industry Standard, Best All Round

OpenVPN is the de-facto protocol for the industry. Almost all VPN providers will use it as your automatic settings on your security panel.

OpenVPN is the connection of choice for multiple reasons. Firstly, it is open source and has strong support from the online community, meaning bugs and fixes are quick and crowdsourced. Secondly, their traffic is very similar to HTTPS/SSL and is hard to discern. Though in countries with network monitors like China, they have managed to do this, which is why we see some lesser-used protocols being rolled out for countries that have a higher bar for censorship.

Lastly, OpenVPN can run on any port and uses TCP and UDP protocols. The only two protocols that work on top of the IP (Internet Protocol)

 

TCP – Best for Stability

The Transmission Control Protocol is the most commonly used on the internet. In basic terms, it needs a connection and tends to be slower but more secure and stable as there is a need for authentication on either end. TCP is preferred because data packets are sent in order and checked for errors. Also, the server that receives the packets will confirm it has received them

Use Open VPN TCP if you want the most stable connection.

 

UDP – Best for Speed

The User Datagram Protocol, on the other hand, does not need a connection but sacrifices error checking for speed.

Unlike TCP, UDP simply sends packets without error checking or waiting to hear a response.

That’s why OpenVPN UDP is sometimes preferred for live streaming and gaming because it can increase the speed of transmission, though at reduced stability.

Use OpenVPN UDP for gaming and live to stream.

 

PPTP – Best for Speed, Worst for Security

The Point to Point Tunnelling Protocol dates to Windows 95 and is the oldest VPN protocol still being used. Sent using TCP.

PPTP is still around because it is simple, easy to use and the fastest VPN protocol around.

You will get the best speeds out of your VPN using PPTP, just only use with a trusted site, because the authentication protocols have been repeatedly cracked by security experts.

PPTP is still around because you get the best speeds for gaming and streaming on Netflix or Kodi. 

 

 

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L2TP/IPsec – Good Speed/ Average Security

These long abbreviations can be confusing but usually indicate the protocol being used and after the slash is the encryption used to secure that protocol.

The Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol dates to 2000 and is one of the older protocols still in use. Currently, it uses Version 3 which was released in 2005. It was hailed as an evolution of the PPTP protocol with enhanced security.

The transmission is sent over UDP which tends to make it fast, but with less stability. Also, as an older protocol, it is likely to be blocked by most firewalls.

The IP Security suite of protocols secures communication across an IP network, including encryption, decryption, authentication, and confidentiality. IPSec has known vulnerabilities to a man in the middle. Often the IPSec protocol will have been modified to remove these vulnerabilities.

 

IKEv2/IPsec – Good Speed/ Modern Technology

The Internet Key Exchange version 2 is the successor to the older IKEv1 which is no longer in use. Mainly due to the increase of use of VPN’s on mobile phones. Using UDP.

IKEv2 made several improvements, by offering support for remote access, using encryption keys on both sides, consuming less bandwidth as well as detecting if a VPN tunnel is “alive.” Meaning the protocol will then automatically re-establish a dropped connection.

The newer versions also made it more resistant to DDOS attacks, by verifying a request that comes from a genuine request before processing it. DDOS attacks use botnets to floor requests for a website and overload its servers. IKEv2 prevents this by screening the request before handling it.

Importantly IKEv2 supports the latest encryption including 256-bit AES encryption. The industry-standard encryption is considered unbreakable and used by governments around the world.

Generally used with IPSec built-in. Another reason it’s popular is that speeds are comparable to PPTP and Soft Ether.

 

SSTP – Safe But Potentially Compromised

The Secure Socket Tunnelling Protocol is one of the more up-to-date protocols. Introduced by Microsoft with Window’s Vista and seen as a safer option to PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. Through TCP.

SSTP like PPTP has its own inbuilt encryption method. However, it does so by using an SSL/TLS Channel. This is much more secure because all data and traffic pass through the tunnel, where data packets are checked for integrity, secure keys are negotiated, and encryption and decryption occur.

Another reason why some people like SSTP that it uses TCP port 443 the same as HTTPS traffic, which can make it very useful for disguising VPN traffic as normal network traffic.

In many ways, it is comparable to OpenVPN but less widely used and understood. Though a lot of people tend to avoid it because it is owned by Microsoft rather than being Open Source like Open VPN.

This suspicion relates to Microsoft being part of the PRISM surveillance program which is run by the NSA. Many large technology companies belong to PRISM, allowing the NSA to check any data associated with its users. Some feel that the protocol has been compromised and has a back door to allow the NSA to snoop data used on this protocol.

 

Less Common Protocols

In the wonderful world of Open Source software, there are plenty of other VPN protocols that have been developed mainly due to coders learning about all the pre-requisites from OpenVPN and then coding a protocol that is adapted to their needs.

This is mainly due to two concerns.

Firstly, speed. OpenVPN is highly stable but not as fast as some feel it could be. In part, this is due to its large codebase and sometimes overly complex cryptography which makes OpenVPN highly secure but bulky.

Secondly, China. Since the early 2000’s China Golden Shield Project enacted a nationwide firewall which has actively pushed back against the use of VPN’s to access outside content in China.

OpenVPN has compromised long ago because Chinese network sensors have been calibrated to detect OpenVPN encrypted traffic from their data packets metadata. So, in response to this, a new breed of security protocols have come about, as VPN’s and freedom of speed activists tussle with the Chinese censorship machine.

 

Soft Ether – Faster Open Source Alternative to OpenVPN

Soft Ether standing for Software Ethernet is free open source software that operates faster than OpenVPN. They are also modified for Deep Packet Inspections used by firewalls to detect disallowed encrypted traffic.

Using SSL Tunnelling on HTTPS to appear just like regular secured traffic. As well as supporting 256-bit AES encryption.

Soft Ether is relatively new, made by a Japanese student in 2013 compared to OpenVPN which dates to 2002 and is still gaining traction. It also supports more protocols including the popular Microsoft SSTP mentioned above.

The big selling point is that Soft Ether allows for throughput speeds up to 9 times faster than OpenVPN. OpenVPN reaches 100-200MBps while Soft Ether can reach 90MBps. Of course, depending on your internet provider. 

So good for those with high-speed internet who want to get the most out of their bandwidth. We reserve judgment on its ability to penetrate secure firewalls, as Soft Ether is not the protocol of choice for China-centric VPN’s.

 

Wire Guard – Lightweight CodeBase and Fast But Still Experimental

The wire guard is the new kid on the block. Many people are excited at the results seen with Wire guard but it’s still early days. One thing people like about it is the relatively small code base giving less surface area to attack. Less code means fewer vulnerabilities and glitches (if the code that’s written does the job!)

Wire guard has a minuscule 4,000 lines compared to OpenVPN/OpenSSL’s 600,000 lines!

It also has a major fan in Linus Torvalds, as in the man who wrote most of the Linux code based single handily.

Wire guard has a host of exciting improvements, including better speed and performance, more agile, compatible with more security protocols than OpenVPN, better battery life and roaming support for devices, faster connection speeds, and is more reliability.

So why isn’t everyone using it?

Well, in short, there are still some kinks. The code is not yet audited and the handful of companies that have used stress that is in a testing phase. But probably the biggest problem it faces is that using a Wire guard means assigning a single IP to each device. Essentially creating a log. For zero logs providers like ExpressVPN, this has meant they have applauded the direction but still not agreed to test its implementation.

But, one to watch.

 

Open Web – TCP Based Browsing Specialist

Our final two protocols come courtesy of one of the pioneers of the industry. Astrill VPN. For years Astrill has been heavily China-centric and developed two inhouse VPN protocols specifically designed to overcome network censors and The Golder Shield Project.

Open Web has not predominantly been replaced by Stealth but works well for quick browsing. A TCP-based proprietary protocol Open Web allows lightweight switching between servers without waiting for your VPN to reconnect.

This also means there is less chance of your browser is detected. Developed to look like HTTP/HTTPS traffic, this makes it hard to detect by DPI.

Also, it’s fast. The connection is a stateless protocol, so it means handshakes are much quicker. Some slower protocols can take a few seconds to connect but Open Web is almost instant.

Great for high censorship countries like China.

 

StealthVPN – Firewall Specialist

Stealth VPN is Astrill’s latest protocol which has since been used by several other providers (whether this is modified by each company is unclear)

Based on OpenVPN it also provides an additional layer of obfuscation which makes your traffic appear to be nothing more than HTTPS, allowing it to pass DPI and any firewall.

Stealth’s success has led to it being used by several high-profile VPN companies because it has been successful in circumventing Chinese censorship.

The VPN protocol is extremely reliable working with 256-bit AES encryption, as well as allowing for port forwarding and site filtering.

What makes it like OpenVPN is that it works both on TCP and UDP protocols, allowing you to choose any port for your connection. So, you can simulate traffic by saying routing through port 443 and making it look like HTTPS traffic.

 

Which Protocol Should I Choose?

We know that we have got technical in this article. Because we love all things VPN. Ultimately a lot of this is just for casual interest. If you really love cryptography and networking then what’s makes most of these protocols great is all of them have great support, an open-source code base, and an active community.

But ultimately, we suggest you keep it simple.

In China use a protocol that obfuscates traffic and simulates HTTPS, this could be using Stealth VPN or simply an obfuscated server used by NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

For normal browsing use Open VPN TCP for a stable and highly secure connection.

Finally, if you plan on streaming or gaming on a reputable site like Netflix or using Kodi then use PPTP to squeeze the most speed out of your connection at the cost of security, but never use PPTP with any provider you are unsure of.

Does Tor Work Well With a VPN?

TOR (The Onion Router) first became popular following the Silk Road Scandal. Thought to be the first-ever darknet black market. You could buy virtually anything on Silk Road, mainly drugs, but basically if you could think of it, you could buy it on the Silk Road.

Started in 2011, it was shut down by a sustained investigation of various US Federal Agencies in 2014. Its founder Ross William Ulbricht received life in jail without parole and Bitcoins worth billions of dollars were seized.

Since then Tor has often been misunderstood, as a place for cyber criminals and the dark underbelly of the internet, when in fact it offers a highly secure method of connection to the internet and browsing online that was in fact originally invented by the US government.

 

What is Tor?

Tor is a free and open-source software that allows people to browse the internet and communicate anonymously. When you connect via Tor, you become part of a global network of volunteers who allow their computers to be used as nodes. The Tor bounces all outgoing and receiving traffic through three random nodes to hide your identity, location, and actions online.

Tor is known as “The Onion” due to the layers of encryption used on your data. Each relay node decrypts a layer of encryption to give enough information to relay the data to the next node. Only at the final exit node is the original transmission decrypted.

Tor is primarily for browsing traffic only, they will actively block any torrents or high consumption of bandwidth by any one user. Plus, Tor is slow. With so much encryption and decryption, it can sometimes feel like dial up, but that is a fair price to pay to those who are particularly security conscious.

 

Why Use Tor With a VPN?

Tor by itself has several security concerns. Firstly, Tor was invented as still funded by the US Federal government and is known to be a hotspot of observation by the NSA. Secondly, your exit node could be anywhere. Where your data exits and enters could be insecure and have a virus or tracker inserted into the data stream.

Tor is recognized as still being quite safe but using it with a VPN gives you an added layer of security that makes it impossible for anybody to track you.

 

Advantage of Using Tor with a VPN

There are several advantages to using Tor with a VPN:

• Securing Entry and Exit Nodes: Tor is a hotbed for hackers and government agencies. Many computers set up to receive traffic will be malicious or at best observants. Using a VPN encrypts your traffic to and from Tor nodes, maintaining your anonymity and the integrity of your data
• Makes your VPN more secure: Lots of providers state that does not log your activity, but there are enough examples from HideMyAss to EarthVPN to show that this can sometimes be a lie. Encrypting your traffic through Tor always hides your data from your VPN provider, which may log your data as it passes through their DNS Server. Plus, many VPN providers use third-party DNS or virtual servers. These organizations are under no obligation not to monitor your traffic
• Access the Dark Web: Tor gives you access to .onion websites, these sites are constantly changing and can provide fascinating and interesting reading. Of course, there is a lot of illegal material but also many sites that prefer to remain hidden. One of the gems of Tor is being able to access the hidden wiki.
• Evade Surveillance: Using Tor by itself could make you a target for government agencies to monitor you more closely. By accessing it through a VPN you give them nothing to hold onto, as your IP will only lead back to your VPN’s DNS Server
• Expand Your Mind: Let’s not avoid the elephant in the room. There have been multiple mirror sites set up like Silk Road since it was shut down. The Dark Web is a constant game of cat and mouse between illegal sites, government agencies, and buyers. Plus, it makes for entertaining watching, as the best cybersecurity specialist come together with hackers to play the ultimate game of hiding and seek

 

The disadvantage of Using Tor With a VPN

It’s dog slow. Some providers have a built-in function for Tor over VPN which allows you to go a little faster, but adding an additional layer of connection, encryption and decryption means you will see a slowdown in a service that is already slow.

Remember that the more secure an online transmission is, the slower it is, as your computer application and the receiving server encrypt and decrypt your data packets.

 

 

Install Surfshark on Firestick

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The Best VPNs for Those Who Value Their Privacy

 

Is Surfshark VPN the Best VPN?

When we talk about being the best, there are a lot of factors to consider. So when we start reviewing Surfshark, it seems to be a very impressive VPN. With a low price and top-notch security features, Surfshark VPN is really remarkable.

We tested out Surfshark based on speed, security, accessibility, and other features. We also check the price, network, device compatibility, and more. All we can say is that this is something that we would recommend.

Surfshark is becoming a very popular VPN today in spite of being new in the industry. It has received a lot of great reviews from its users and was able to establish a good brand for itself.

Learn all of SurfShark’s word-class features as we continue to discuss them in this article.

 

 

Grab your subscription now!

 

 

How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick

If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.

Follow our screenshots below to install the SurfShark VPN app on your Fire TV stick.

1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.

 

2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.

 

3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.

 

4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.

 

5. Press the Download (You own it) button.

 

6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.

 

7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.

 

8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.

 

9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.

 

10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.

Learn more about Surfshark and Grab the Best Surfshark Deal Now!

 

Install Surfshark on Firestick

Best Surfshark Deal

 

 

For more VPN discounts, go to ReviewVPN Deals and purchase the best VPN for you.

Click here to get the lowest price on Surfshark through our exclusive limited-time offer.

 

 

NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most established and biggest companies in the VPN space. They offer the most servers of any provider. 5,500+ across 60+ countries. More servers mean more speed and choice. They have a zero logs policy that has been tested by law enforcement agencies and found to be solid.

They have a heap of features including Onion over VPN, which connects your VPN then lets you browse using Tor. An alternative that may be faster is the Double VPN service which allows you to route traffic through 2 different neighboring countries or VPN servers.

They also have their own proprietary ad-blocker software Cybersec. In countries with network monitors, you can also use their obfuscated servers, which make traffic appear to be HTTPS in origin and therefore undetectable in places like China.

Because of the broad range of servers, the speeds are impressive, and they are consistent throughout the network. You will have no problem using Netflix, Kodi or any other media device with NordVPN, safe in the knowledge that if one server goes down or an IP is blocked, there are plenty more. You can also pay for an additional proxy or a VPN router.

NordVPN is one of the cheapest on the market with their 3-year plan starting as low as $2 per month and allowing you to connect to 6 simultaneous devices.

 

 

ExpressVPN

3,700+ servers across 90+ countries, top-notch encryption and security protocols alongside blazing fast speeds and a wholly-owned network make ExpressVPN the top choice for the privacy-conscious.

They have a zero logs policy which has been tested by law enforcement agencies and not been found wanting, as well as being based in the British Virgin Islands. A country with no data retention laws or ties to the intelligence agency.

They also offer a dedicated VPN router app for unlimited connections, HTTPS anywhere, their own in-house DNS servers, and a split tunnel feature to rout non-essential traffic through your ISP.

ExpressVPN is not the cheapest provider. Their prices start at $8.32 per month, but they rank Number 1 amongst many reviewers for privacy concerns and protection of their user’s data.

 

 

IPVanish

If you want to choose customer service and speed, then go for IPVanish. They are one of the few providers to have a dedicated toll-free number as well as the industry standard 24/7 customer support. We often recommend IPVanish to those who are less tech-savvy and may need help while using a VPN.

You can enjoy some of the fastest speeds of any VPN provider with 40,000+ shared IPs, across 2,000+ servers and 75+ locations. IPVanish is one of only a few providers that owns all their own architecture including their servers. Many VPN companies rent servers from third parties and therefore leave your data at risk. IPVanish also allows you to share IPs with multiple users, which means traffic is indistinguishable from hundreds of other users from the same IP.

IPVanish has a solid zero logs policy and works effectively with any geographically fixed IP content. So, watch Netflix in any country, use Kodi or check out Hulu without restriction. You can even use it to change your country of origin for a VOIP call and save some money.

Their mobile application is easy to use and secures everything on your phone including your email, social media, and messaging applications. As well as securing any public Wi-Fi you connect to.

Prices start from $6.49 per month with a 7-day money-back guarantee and you can connect 10 simultaneous devices at the same time.

 

 

Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA is a proud member and financial supporter of many privacy watch and internet rights groups like the EFF so you can be certain they take privacy damn seriously.

They offer 3,300+ servers across 32 countries with a dedicated DNS service. They support P2P servers, give you a handy inbuilt ad blocker, allow for multiple VPN gateways and you get a SOCKS5 proxy included to secure online communication. As well as this they have a solid zero logs policy which has been tested.

Based in the US they have gone some way in dispelling the myth that US-based VPN companies cannot be trusted to protect their users, having rebuffed multiple requests for information. The information which PIA has simply stated they do not and will not log.

They are also one of the few VPN providers that allow configuring every element of your encryption. From the encryption type to data authentication and the handshake. The ability to adjust your encryption means you can lower security and increase speed.

Prices start from as low as $3.11 per month for yearly plans and you can connect a massive 10 devices simultaneously.

 

 

 

Cyberghost

The Ghosties from Romania number 30 million-plus and counting. One of the most popular VPN networks around. They are also one of the more public VPN companies. Giving you the chance to see the 70+ management and engineering team under the hood. Nice for those who want to see who they are giving their money to.

There are a few things that stand out with Cyberghost. Their mobile application is awesome. You can choose what type of server to find based on whether you are torrenting, streaming, or just browsing.  See how far away their servers are from you, load, ping speed, and general connectivity speed. You can also favorite servers. This is more functionality we have seen than anybody else. Some have complained that automatic server connection is frustrating for more advanced users.

They also offer some of the fastest speeds in the industry, with 3,700+ servers in 60+ countries. As well as 1,000 of those servers modified for P2P use, making them super-fast. You’ll have no problem accessing GeoIP restricted content like Netflix or using Kodi.

Plus, their zero logs policy is solid, they offer top-notch security and configurability. Prices start from $2.10 per month, allowing you to connect 7 simultaneous devices with an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee.

 

 

Best Ways to Use a VPN With Tor to Access the Darknet

When using a VPN with Tor, you should always connect your VPN first. If possible, set your VPN to connect automatically on start-up. Additionally, enable the kill switch to cut your internet connection if your VPN stops working.

Using a VPN first means that any data you send across Tor’s public nodes is secure and your IP is masked.

Also using a VPN first means your ISP won’t be able to detect that you are using Tor.

 

What are the Best Ways to Access the Deep Web?

Google only displays a fraction of what is available on the internet. Some estimate that 500 times more exists than what is displayed by major search engines.

The Deep Web shouldn’t be confused with the Darknet or Dark Web. It is simply all those sites that Google doesn’t bother to show. 

A good place to start is the WWW Virtual Library. Where you can search the original index for the internet. Just bear in mind you may need to do some research to be super specific about what you are looking for. We are talking literally billions of results for some terms.

 

Darknet vs Deep Web

The Darknet is simply a part of the Deep Web. Meaning that it is obscured from public view. Think of it as a parallel network to the internet. Operating mainly on the Tor, it requires you to know precise URL’s which are generally alphanumerically generated. 

You don’t just stumble on a site. The most famous Darknet site is the Hidden Wiki which is constantly changing due to being hacked.

The Darknet tends to hold more nefarious elements of society engaged in a wide range of criminality. As well as people who simply want to remain anonymous and share files undetected like journalists and whistleblower.

Best VPN for Linux Overview

In this article, we will show you the list of the best VPN for Linux

Linux is a must-have for a few, and an enigma for most. The world of computers is run on Windows. It has become the DeFacto Operating System for many because it’s easy to use. This is mainly down to their GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Linux is an open-source distribution coded almost single-handedly by Linus Torvalds who released it in 1991. The OS has since gone on to be supported by an enormous community of programmers who upkeep the source code and are constantly releasing new versions.

People love Linux because there is only one Windows you can use. But there are hundreds of Linux OS.

Want something like Windows? pick Linux Mint.

Want a secure and anonymous OS? Pick Linux Tails.

The list goes on. Also, it tends to be very quick to load and has unlimited configurability in terms of choosing what you do and don’t want to run in the background.

So if you are one of those people who use Linux, it is better to still stay protested while streaming. A Virtual Private Network or VPN is such a great tool to secure your online identity while giving you the freedom to access geo-restricted content and features. 

As you continue to read this article, you will see the best VPN for Linux

 

 

Best VPN for Linux

SurfShark

SurfShark is indeed the best VPN for Linux. It has all of the features and security protocols that you need that are applicable to Linux devices.

SurfShark has thousands of available servers from numerous countries worldwide that you can connect to. It will serve as a great tunnel that makes you look like you are connected to a particular country rather than your own. This will grant you access to unblock geo-restricted platforms, features, and content.

You will be amazed by all of the best VPN protocols of SurfShark, making it really great for the title of the best VPN for Linux.

SurfShark follows the No-Log policy which is important because this software won’t record any activity and data of the user.

What’s also amazing is that it is very affordable and has a 30-day “risk-free” money-back guarantee.

Other amazing and advanced features of SurfShark include: Cloud Storage, P2P friendly, SOCKS5 Proxy, best for Torrenting, Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, DNS Leak Protection, and prevents Firestick Buffering and Kodi Buffering

If you want to learn more, read this Surfshark VPN review.

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NordVPN

NordVPN is the biggest VPN on our list. This is why it is a good candidate for being the best VPN for Linux. With millions of users and one of the biggest collections of servers of any provider. 5,500+ servers in 60+ countries. NordVPN has built a solid reputation for speed and security.

They probably offer some of the largest arrays of features of any VPN provider. CyberSec allows you to block malicious websites, scripts, and ads. DoubleVPN encrypts your data twice. Your data pops out of VPN server 1 and goes through VPN Server 2. Meaning that if anyone does manage to backtrace your IP, they will just get thrown to another VPN server.

Their No Logs policy has stood up against a criminal investigation and held. Just like ExpressVPN, they don’t log in, and this has been shown to be true. If you record nothing, then you have nothing to show when asked.

You won’t be found wanting access to popular media streaming sites, as Netflix gives you click icons to 400+ popular sites. As well as enjoying an ever-growing server list to watch the latest show on Netflix.

NordVPN is also cheap. With a 3-year plan starting from as little as $2.99 per month, you certainly won’t be left out of pocket with one of the most popular VPN providers around.

Learn more by reading our NordVPN Review.

How to Install NordVPN on Firestick

 

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IPVanish

IPVanish is another best VPN for Linux. With 40,000+ IPs across 2,000+ servers and 70+ countries, IPVanish offers great speed and functionality. Wherever you are in the world you’ll be sure to connect to a service that is close to you, fast, and anonymous.

They have a solid zero logs policy. This means that your data is not logged, and your anonymity online will be maintained. Their plans start from as little as $6.49 per month with a 7-day money-back guarantee. You can torrent your heart out and can connect to a massive unlimited simultaneous device. This is a big bonus for all your hardcore technology users who need to have a lot of devices going at the same time. Most VPN providers will only give you 5 connections maximum at any one time.

IPVanish works a treat for any geographically restricted content like BBC iPlayer’s, Netflix, and Hulu, as well as allowing P2P traffic. Their speeds are excellent, so you want to have to wait to buffer your favorite show.

In terms of security, IPVanish offers 256-bit AES encryption, making your connection secure and unbreakable. You can also choose from a wide range of security protocols including OpenVPN and L2TP/IPsec.

IPVanish is also one of the few providers we know that offer fantastic customer support. Lodge a ticket, speak to a customer service representative 24/7 online, or even call their offices directly. Having the chance to speak to someone on the phone in the VPN industry is rare and refreshing, particularly if you are a newcomer to VPNs.

Read our IPVanish review to know more.

How to Install IPVanish on Firestick

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Atlas VPN

It was just recently when Atlas VPN became available for Linux. Even being new in the industry, it surpasses others and became a great candidate for the best VPN for Linux.

Like other great VPNs, Atas VPN has 256-bit AES encryption, but with a limited number of VPN protocols. 

It also follows the no-log policy and secures the user’s online identity with a total of 750+ servers worldwide.

What’s amazing is that you can use your Atlas VPN account with an unlimited number of connected devices simultaneously.

To learn more, read our Atlas VPN review.

 

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Best VPN for Linux Conclusion

The best VPN for Linux we suggest is SurfShark. It has the latest VPN protocols for securing your device. You can avoid ISP throttling and cyber threats while using Linux to browse the internet.

You can also consider NordVPN, IPVanish, and the newly added VPN to the list, Atlas VPN.

 

Final Words

We hope this article shares with you the best VPN for Linux. Thank you for reading!

Best VPNs for Android

In this article, we will show you the best VPNs for Android.

Most users prefer Android devices. Through these smartphones, there is no problem surfing the internet anymore. But we need to be careful while streaming on different sites, and apps using our Android devices. Most websites and apps track our online activities, making our information open to a lot of domains, etc.

By using a Virtual Private Network or VPN, we can protect ourselves from hackers, and trackers. It will also give us access to a lot of features and content that are geo-restricted in our location.

As you continue to read this article, you will learn all the best VPNs you can use on your Android device.

 

 

What Makes a Good Android VPN?

Though Android users are far away from those using Apple. Users who use the Apple Store spend 4 times as much as the Google Play Store. That’s because most Android users are in developing markets like India and China.

This has meant that a lot of emphases is placed on developing an iOS application, leaving the Android mobile application as an afterthought.

The code can be similar but it’s not the same. Some companies may simply try to copy the Apple product and end up with problems in terms of UI and US (User Interface and Experience)

This is changing, but there are a few things to look out for when choosing a good Android VPN and mobile application.

Resource Usage

A VPN connection will use RAM as well as see some reduction in baseline internet speed. This can be anywhere from 5-30%. This is often mitigated by anonymizing your IP and giving you the fastest possible speed if your ISP has a habit of throttling connections in your area.

Ultimately you want a VPN that is going to reduce speed as much as possible and use resources transmitting to the VPN’s server using the application.

Often the more functional and simpler the application the fewer resources it will use. Always choose style over substance if the app is easy to use.

 

Speed

Chances are if you are using an Android mobile application you are going to be connecting wirelessly, for browsing or streaming. More data-heavy usage is reserved for computers.

If you can ping test your starting speed connected to your internet without a VPN and then ping again when connected using your VPN. 

All the providers in our Top 5 list have shown they can maintain fast speeds consistently. 

Another factor to bear in mind is location. Servers for some providers in Asia and Latin America can be slower. So, make sure you test and check these first. All reputable VPNs will give you 7-60 days for a money-back guarantee, so check it all out in the first week before deciding.

 

Streaming and Torrenting

A torrent is a file you download to watch later, while a stream is real-time media. If you are traveling or going somewhere where the internet connection is spotty, you can download media files onto your phone to watch later.

Get a VPN that has high-speed servers, or even better P2P servers which are specifically configured for downloading and uploading.

 

Application Quality

Finding a quality Android application is not as easy as you would think. Often mobile applications will have reduced functionality compared to web applications because your usage is simplified.

But it should be easy to use, intuitive and snappy. Allowing you to connect quickly. Some applications will have an inbuilt kill switch that stops the internet if your VPN freezes, and you can even set others to start as soon as your phone is on.

Finally, you want an application that is easy to navigate and has all the functions you want. Again, a nice-looking app is great only if it does everything you want it to do.

 

Top 5 Best VPNs for Android

SurfShark

SurfShark ranks top 1 on our list of the best VPNs for Android. It works well with any device most especially with Android.

They have a rigorous zero logs policy, which has been tested, and are an outspoken voice for internet privacy and personal freedom. With over 3,200 servers in 65+ countries, you can also be sure that wherever you are in the world, you are never far from a super-fast connection.

SurfShark has also modified 1,000 of its servers specifically for P2P and super-fast streaming. 

The application is super easy to use. With the familiar one tap the on/Off function for your VPN. You also have an in-built kill switch and can tell the app to secure any Wi-Fi service before your phone connects. It also lets you have the option to favorite your chosen servers so you can quickly connect next time, as well as heaps of additional options to configure security and connection.

You can use SurfShark on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

For a more detailed review, read our SurfShark VPN review, and also learn How to Install SurfShark on Firestick.

 

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NordVPN

NordVPN is the most downloaded VPN for Android with over 10 million installations. It offers an impressive mobile experience. The company’s reputation puts it’s it at the top 5 of any list regarding VPN providers.

NordVPN is amazing with 5,000+ servers in 60+ countries. You can enjoy military-style encryption. It also offers a host of additional features like Cyber Sec that blocks malicious websites and malware. NordVPN also offers a Double VPN that gives you the option to route your connection through 2 VPN servers and make your IP untraceable.

You get a 7-day free trial with the Android App. It uses a similar style seen in a few big names. A simple on/Off button connects you to the server which is best for you. Depending on your criteria. You can pick the fastest or go and find another server manually.

You can also connect the application to Android TV, or access P2P-supported servers for fast torrents. What we really liked about NordVPN is they seem to be taking the time to reply to every comment posted on the Google Play Store and we saw evidence of them implementing fixes suggested by the community

You can connect 6 simultaneous devices.

Read our NordVPN review to know more about this VPN

How to Isntall NordVPN on Firestick

 

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IPVanish

IPVanish makes almost any list of the Top 5 for VPNs. With a great reputation for customer service, stability, and speed. They also differentiate themselves by owning all their infrastructure. From the VPN servers to the DNS and in-house technology team. Many VPN providers use third-party providers which can present a security risk. Third parties can be motivated to sell data to advertisers.

You can access 40,000+ IP addresses in 70+ countries. Unlike other providers, IPVanish uses IP Sharing, which means multiple users look like they are using the same IP. This helps to keep your browsing history safe, as even in the unlikely case that your IP is tracked, there is no possible way to distinguish your traffic from anybody else’s.

The mobile application offers a host of cool functions, including being able to monitor your connection speeds, advanced security features including the type of security protocol you want to use with your connection, and an easy one-click quick connect function. IPVanish will also automatically secure an unsecured Wi-Fi connection and encrypts everything you do online including your emails and messages sent through other applications.

Their security is the maximum level of encryption used by the US military, and they are one of the few providers who offer 24/7 assistance via online chat or a telephone number. 

Read our IPVanish review to know more.

How to Install IPVanish on Firestick

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Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is the only provider to make our list that has a free as well as a premium service. With the free service, you get a generous 10GB data allowance per month and access to 3 servers. Normally you would get 3-5 locations.

What we love about Atlas VPN is the tonnes of functionality that you get with their paid service.

You can access 750+ servers across different countries with paid plans and a solid zero-log policy to boot. The app also lets you see the usage and speed of all country’s servers, allowing you to connect to the fastest server or find one with the least used one in your region.

You can also access special servers which have been specially configured to just use with Netflix and get the best speeds. 

The application is fun, easy to use, and has easy on/off buttons for all those juicy extra features.

To learn more, read our Atlas VPN review.

 

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ExpressVPN

 

Not far behind NordVPN is ExpressVPN commonly thought of as the Number 1 VPN provider. Another provider has gone to great lengths to give a great mobile experience. One noticeable difference from NordVPN is you can not attach commonly used applications that connect to the internet to the connection screen and connect directly through their app. Make sure your connection is encrypted.

This is a great feature if say, you use WhatsApp which may connect unencrypted using your mobile data. Apart from that, the app is clean and easy to use with a similar on/Off button. But you can also speed test local servers prior to connecting which is very cool. Allowing you to check if the server you are automatically connected to is the fastest.

Take advantage of 3,700+ servers in 90+ countries to access some of the best speeds around. ExpressVPN is often touted as one of the fastest VPN providers. With constant speeds across the world.

Another cool feature is split tunneling, where you can choose what application uses a VPN service and what can be white-labeled where the connection is not secured. You also get an inbuilt kill switch.

ExpressVPN Review Article

How to Install Express VPN on Firestick

 

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Install SurfShark on Firestick with Screenshots

If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.

1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.

 

2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.

 

3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.

 

4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.

 

5. Press the Download (You own it) button.

 

6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.

 

7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.

 

8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.

 

9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.

 

10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.

Learn more about Surfshark and Grab the Best Surfshark Deal Now!

 

FAQs

Why should I use a VPN on Android?

Chances are you use public Wi-Fi all the time on your mobile. This stops you from eating into your data plan and allows you to stream to your heart’s content.

Problem is that hackers and malicious agents also monitor public Wi-Fi connections and can use snooping applications to try and phish for data, and passwords and intercept traffic.

Using a VPN with an Android device keeps your connection secure and may also allow you to get the fastest speeds by anonymizing your requests. Public Wi-Fi actively throttles, to prevent tonnes of people from streaming and using all the bandwidth.

A VPN like SurfShark on Android will also secure everything that is connected or being sent over the internet like emails, instant messages, credit card details, and even passwords.

Using a VPN on Android keeps your data secure and your privacy intact, wherever you go and no matter how dodgy the public Wi-Fi is.

 

What are the Best Free VPNs for Android?

We’ve already highlighted probably the best freemium VPN out there is Atlas VPN. But we hasten to add that the best VPN providers are the ones you pay for. Even with Atlas VPN, you are going to get severely reduced functionality and only enough data for general day-to-day browsing.

 

What are the best VPNs for Android?

The best VPNs for Android are SurfShark, NordVPN, IPVanish, Atlas VPN, and Express VPN.

 

Conclusion

There are thousands of brands for VPNs out there. But only a few are really trust worthy and make it to our top 5 for Android.

We always recommend using SurfShark but you can also consider others like Nord, IPVanish, Atlas VPN and Express VPN.

Best VPNs for Australia

 

Since mandatory data retention was introduced in 2017. Privacy and data have been very much an issue in Australia. With the Liberal-National coalition fending off a defeat in the 2019 national elections, many privacy watch groups are concerned that the party will continue to ramp up government overwatch and access to the Australian public’s data. However, this article provides the best VPNs for Australia

Digital Right’s Watch assigned privacy scorecards to all the parties and the Liberal-National coalition scored bottom for digital rights.

The recent introduction of the Assistance and Access Act means Australian law enforcement agencies now can access encrypted communication of anyone that they suspect of criminal activities. No warrant or proof required. This has caused widespread outrage as well as the need for technology companies to build backdoors in their encryption protocols which can then be sniffed out by hackers.

With the rise of censorship and privacy intrusion by the Australian government, there has never been a better time to invest in a great VPN and protect your anonymity.

In this article, we pick out the best 5 VPN services for Australia and answer any questions you might have about using a VPN in Australia and how to overcome the growing privacy issues.

 

What Makes a Good Australian VPN?

There are thousands of VPN’s, free and paid. How can you choose which one is right for you?

• Zero Logs Policy: The best VPN provider will not log your data. With strict laws and the tendency for Australian law enforcement to search and ask questions later. The best providers will have no logs to show
• Pro-Netflix: Australia is often one of the last English-speaking countries to access the newest content. With a great VPN you don’t have to wait. Access all your favourite media sites with ease. Whether you are using Kodi or checking out US Netflix, HBO or Hulu. These sites block many VPN’s who don’t rotate servers and IP’s.
• Torrent Friendly: If you love uploading and downloading files, find a VPN provider that has speed and even special P2P servers which are modified for Torrenting.
• Secure: The best VPN’s in Australia should have secure 256-bit AES encryption. With an increasing number of Australian companies building back doors to allow government snooping.
• A Good Price: A good VPN shouldn’t cost you more than $9.99 per month, with some offering yearly subscriptions for $3-7 per month depending on the term of the contract. As well as a 7-45 day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like the service
• Gaming Speed: Gamers need speed. Pick a VPN that is going to give you local speeds of 60MBps+, as well as obscuring traffic to avoid ISP throttling (where an Internet Service Provider will slow down your internet speed) as well as lower latency. Remember it’s all about lowering the ping speed, with the best VPN servers delivering pings of 30ms or less
• Multi-Devices: A good VPN will allow you to connect to 5+ simultaneous devices. Meaning you can keep all your devices secure. It should also offer cross technology support.

 

 

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Best VPNs for Australia

Our pick of the Top 5 VPN providers in Australia, that meet all the criteria and more.

 

Surf Shark

Our new kid on the block. Surf shark is one of the fastest-growing VPN networks in the world. With their application downloaded 100,000 times compared to the 10M+ downloads of ExpressVPN, they are still some way off but gaining traction.

Their biggest selling point is their price, with a multi-year plan starting as low as $1.94 a month, and they offer a 30-day free trial, as well as 30-day money-back guarantee.

They have an as yet untested zero logs policy, which has been verified by a third-party German security company. Demonstrating that they keep no logs of their user’s activity online.

Where Surf shark excels is the sheer number of features on offer for the price. They offer a similar feature to NordVPN’s Double VPN service. You can multihop your data through 2 neighbouring countries VPN. Also, their Clean Web function acts as an inbuilt ad and content blocker. You can also choose servers based on your usage preference.

Surf shark has a beautiful application with a clean interface. Though there are still some bugs they are working out. This reviewer had used Surf Shark and raved about it but got frustrated with some glitches in the application upon connection and disconnection. But we are sure those are just teething problems that will or have already been fixed.

You’ll have no problem using Kodi and accessing Netflix, Hulu or HBO with Surf shark, and enjoy great speeds and unlimited data usage.

 

 

NordVPN

NordVPN along with ExpressVPN and Surfshark are some of the most established names in the VPN industry. They offer the largest number of servers of any VPN provider with 5,500+ servers across 62 locations their depth of server architecture is matchless.

NordVPN offers a whole host of additional features which makes them stand. You can enjoy inbuilt adblocker and malware software which makes browsing the internet a clean and ad-free experience. They also offer a double proxy service which allows your connection to be routed through 2 VPN servers making it almost untraceable.

Their zero logs policy has been true. NordVPN were not able to give logs, because they kept none. Meaning they are a provider who has proved they can be trusted. They also have a warrant canary on their site, which lets their users know if they have been served a subpoena for their servers or logs.

With over 5,000 servers you can be sure to find a fast server near to you with many of their servers modified to be P2P friendly and give you the maximum upload and download speeds.

You are also all set to use Kodi or stream US Netflix. NordVPN offers access to hundreds of media sites at the click of a button, allowing you to freely stream content from all around the world.

Due to their size, you can get a multi-year pass for as little as $2.29 per month and connect 6 devices simultaneously.

 

 

ExpressVPN

With access to 4 servers in Australia, plus 3,000+ other servers in 94+ countries. ExpressVPN is the most trusted VPN provider around.

With a zero logs policy that is watertight and has even been tested in an international criminal investigation, ExpressVPN has proven that they will not log anything you do through their VPN.

Prices start from as low as $6.67 per month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. They offer blazing fast speeds, one of the fastest in the industry with a very little downtick in your speed. This holds for most locations worldwide, as ExpressVPN have a deep and wide infrastructure.

Their security is military grade with 256-bit AES encryption. Configurability security means you can make your connection secure if you are a gamer and want to squeeze a bit more speed out of your connection. With IP masking you can obscure your data to your ISP and circumvent monitoring.

ExpressVPN will work like a dream for torrenting, US Netflix and Kodi and they are one of the best at circumventing censorship and geographic IP restrictions.

Their application is intuitive and easy to use and even has its own inbuilt speed test, so you can test local servers for the best speed before connecting. With each subscription, you can connect 5 simultaneous devices and it will work on Windows, Android, Linux or iOS.

 

 

IPVanish

IPVanish is well known in the industry for fantastic speeds and customer service. With 40,000+ IP’s available in 2,000+ servers and 75+ locations. IPVanish offers a unique IP sharing service. Several users can use the same IP pool, which means that it becomes impossible to track the actions of one user.

They have a solid zero logs policy and their security is top-notch. Even opting to use the slightly faster and more secure IKEv2 protocol over OpenVPN, the most up-to-date security protocol. You will enjoy comparable encryption to the US government, meaning you don’t have to worry about your data transmission being broken or malicious agents or the Australian government taking advantage of an inbuilt back door.

With plans starting as low as $6.50 per month you can enjoy blazing-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth and data for streaming, torrenting, or just browsing. You can also use a SOCKS5 proxy for more advanced users who want to increase their security.

What sets IPVanish apart from its competitors is that it cares about its competitors. One of the few providers to give you a toll-free number so you can call and speak to an actual human being. Imagine that! You can also access a comprehensive support center, ticket system, and 24/7 customer service agents through online chat.

 

 

CyberGhost

Cyberghost boasts over 30 million users and a 70 strong engineering team. One of the more transparent VPN providers around, they are proud of showing off their in-house talent. With prices starting as low as $2.10 for multiyear passes they are also one of the cheapest providers around.

They have a clear zero logs policy and go beyond many other VPN providers by showing just how many requests they have received each year. Another provider who has been consistently tested to reveal information on their users and never been found wanting.

With 3,500+ servers in 55 countries, they also have one of the biggest server parks in the industry. You can enjoy blazing fast speeds, as well 1,000 + servers that have been specially tailored to torrenting.

They have a wealth of easy user guides, which was broad and offered step by step instructions to access up to date media content. The user interface for their application is also highly intuitive and tailored to help find the best servers for you whether you are browsing, streaming or torrenting.

Like NordVPN they also have an inbuilt adblocker and block malicious content. This is all done server-side which means they are better than extensions. Particularly if you are on a mobile plan with limited data.

Their great speeds mean that using Kodi or accessing the latest content on US Netflix with their intuitive interface that lets you connect to popular media sites directly within the application.

Like Surfshark, CyberGhost uses IP sharing, which means the same IP is shown to be used by multiple people making it impossible to discern who is doing what specifically using that IP.

 

 

Will a VPN Avoid Australia’s Data Retention Law?

Every company must abide by their countries data retention law. In Australia, this is stricter than most. Companies that are based in Australia are compelled by law to keep metadata of their users. Including connection times, data usage and IP’s used. 

Coupled with access to encrypted data, Australia has been plummeting down the data and privacy rights boards over the past few years.

Luckily a VPN company does not have to contend with these laws unless it is physically based in Australia. All our VPN providers like NordVPN are based in countries that have no data retention laws, or if they are based in the US. They simply circumvent these laws by keeping no logs of their user’s data.

Australia’s restricted data laws only apply to companies that are based there, which is why we wouldn’t recommend a company based there.

 

Can I Torrent Safely With the best VPNs in Australia

Torrenting can be easily detected by your ISP due to the huge influx of data that is tracked back to your IP. This can then be reported with authorities or you may be served a cease and desist notice.

But if you use a VPN provider then your ISP will never know you are torrenting. Because the connection between your computer and your VPN server is encrypted. These packets are indistinguishable from all the others using your cabled connection and your sending and receiving IP has changed.

Meaning that with a secure VPN provider you can torrent safely, anonymously and quickly. On top of this, the Australian government has made it a law, that internet service providers must block access to user’s accessing sites that are known to allow access to illegal material which is being shared without due process to copyright laws.

Using a VPN provider, you can access these sites using anonymous servers, or an IP address based outside of Australia.

 

What are Their Current Rules on Torrents / Filesharing?

Torrenting and filesharing are legal in most countries including Australia. What may not be legal is the content that is being shared. If the content is subject to copyright and has been shared without the consent of the provider, then this is illegal.

Australia passed a tough new anti-piracy law in 2018. The Copyright Amendment Bill closed loopholes to allow proxies and mirror sites to be used by popular piracy and torrenting sites.

It also compels Google and Bing to remove links from their search engine in Australia. Meaning it is becoming increasingly difficult for piracy sites to operate in Australia.

The climate of increased censorship of content has also caused concerns as there is no official guidance about a strict set of rules which decides what sites are offensive and what are not. Giving the state overarching powers to block content they deem unsuitable.

 

Should I use a VPN While Using Kodi?

Kodi is your all-in-one media solution. With access to tens of thousands of the latest tv shows, films and sporting events from all around the world.

Australian users can enjoy access to content as soon as it’s released using the hundreds of add-ons that Kodi supports. However, using Kodi without a VPN will mean 99% of these add owns will be blocked by your ISP.

In order to get the best out of Kodi, we recommend using a VPN to ensure that you get access to all the content and add-ons that Kodi supports.

 

VPNs to Avoid in Australia

The VPN’s we avoid falling into 2 broad categories. VPN’s that have been shown to not adhere to their zero logs policy including providers like HideMyAss, Earth VPN and PureVPN.

When asked to provide logs in ongoing criminal investigations these 3 companies provide logs that lead to successful arrests. We do not condone criminal activities. We merely want to point you towards the fact, that these were providers who had previously promised they keep no logs of their user’s activity.

This statement was found to be false, and we want to advise against users engaging with these providers if they want to guarantee their anonymity.

The second category is several freemium providers. Your user data will probably end up being sold by them.

A VPN’s primary role is to keep your privacy safe, your data secure and your identity anonymous.

2 of the worst examples of data breaches came from HolaVPN and Hot Spot Shield.

 

Hola VPN

HolaVPN have sites to revealing just how bad their VPN is. They use a mirror service – luminati.io. Through Hola, they offer a supposed free residential proxy service to allow you to access content with geographically restrictions. So, you use other users residential IP in the US to access Netflix USA.

Your data is vulnerable to a man in the middle attack on your traffic as it routs through an unknown proxy.

Secondly, your proxy and data will be sold by Hola VPN. This means you could be liable for whatever traffic is travelling through your IP. Also, you could have your bandwidth used up by another user who is streaming content, slowing down your connection.

On top of this HolaVPN will share your data with advertisers and sell it to the highest bidder. They represent the worst of the VPN industry, who offer a secure service and abuse your trust.

 

Hot Spot Shield

Hot Spot Shield also offer a freemium model. You can get meager data and use the service for free.

In return, they injected cookies into your data. Advertisers and companies were paying for targeted ad campaigns to appear in your browsing sessions without your consent.

Evidence submitted to the FTC (Fair Trade Commission) in the US showed extensive evidence that Hot Spot Shield was persistently injecting cookies and scripts into users’ data.

Avoid them at all costs.

 

Any Legislative Concerns / on the Horizon for File Sharers or Privacy Fans

With the election of the Liberal-National coalition, it is likely that there will be further restrictions and tighter regulations around censorship.

This coupled with invasive policies which allow government agencies to break users’ encryption makes an oppressive environment.

Technology companies like Atlassian have pointed out that Australia is seriously damaging its global competitiveness. Due to so much regulation and the need to publicly build back doors into their encryption.

Users face a dual threat of state agents and malicious third parties who are working to discover these back doors.

Use a secure VPN like Surfshark and secure your data today.

Note: For more information about Surfshark, please read our Surfshark Review.

 

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How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick

If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.

Follow our screenshots below to install the SurfShark VPN app on your Fire TV stick.

1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.

 

2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.

 

3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.

 

4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.

 

5. Press the Download (You own it) button.

 

6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.

 

7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.

 

8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.

 

9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.

 

10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.

Learn more about Surfshark and Grab the Best Surfshark Deal Now!

 

Install Surfshark on Firestick

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