privateinternetaccess.com
VPNs are essential when browsing the internet, as they act as a shield between your data and the world. Without a VPN, your data is open and exposed to anyone who wants it, as well as your IP address, which can be used to track you no matter where you are on the internet. It's important to be aware of malicious actors lurking on the internet, and using a VPN is one way to protect yourself.
Your personal information--including your credit card number, social security number, home address, bank account information, and more--may be of use to a hacker. Your unprotected internet server may contain sensitive information such as your private emails. Everything you transmit on the internet can be viewed by someone.
It may be a rogue hacker, it may be your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or it may be your own government. It is well documented by now that a majority of ISPs openly and shamelessly collect their users' internet data and activity and then sell it off to third-party corporations. This is how companies target you in ads (well, one of the ways). ISPs also tend to be frequently in your business, especially when it comes to P2P file sharing and, in some cases, free streaming over their servers. Personally, I have received a number of cease and desist letters for this. It does not make me feel comfortable to know that my ISP is monitoring my every move on the internet.
The government, of course, is fully capable of spying on its citizens. The United States actually is particularly pernicious about this, as are countries like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.
An international coalition known as "The 14 Eyes" has agreed to spy on citizens' online activity and share the information among one another. So, not only is your data not safe from your own country, it is not safe from foreign governments either.
If you want to ensure complete internet privacy, then you should encrypt your data. If you have a strong enough encryption tool, no one can detect what you are doing online, where you are, or what your IP address is. Not the government, not your ISP, and not even the most skilled hacker. One way to do this is to connect to a VPN. But which one? There are many VPNs on the market nowadays, so it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you.
I review the best free movie streaming sites, free TV streaming apps, and premium streaming services to help you secure your streaming life. I've reviewed specific VPNs that are perfect for streaming and make sure that you can use the most popular services like Netflix.
That being said, a Virtual Private Network can be evaluated on various criteria, such as privacy, server numbers and locations, speed, performance, user-friendliness and price.
Internet Private Access is quickly becoming more popular, with many people considering it a must-have for online security. However, let's explore whether it can meet the high expectations of those who use it.
Design
Internet Private Access is a good VPN service with sleek software and app design. It is usually very simple, on the surface, offering quick access to privacy and security online.
Once you open the Private Internet Access main control center, you'll find a giant power button as well as a menu that lets you quickly and easily switch your server location. The interface is very straightforward--I trust that even my grandmother could use it with few (if any) issues.
Below the oversized power button on the front of your Private Access Router is a map of the world. The location of your server will be displayed on the map with a green dot. This is just a fun aesthetic twist, but it is one of the things that make Private Access routers unique.
Content and Features
Private Internet Access has a long list of features.
Secure VPN, top-encryption, and privacy - Your internet activity is encrypted with AES-256-bit encryption. - Your wireless connections are encrypted with WPA2-PSK and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security. - P2P support - You can torrent anonymously or share files securely with other users. - Use on ten devices simultaneously - You can use the app on up to ten devices at the same time. - Ad-blocker, tracker blocker, malware blocker - The app has an ad blocker and a tracker blocker to help keep you safe from unwanted ads and trackers. - Multiple gateways - The app has multiple gateways so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. - Unlimited bandwidth - The app has unlimited bandwidth so you can surf the web without worrying about data limits.
After going through this sprawling list of features, it becomes clear that Private Internet Access comes with just about everything a VPN needs - top-notch security, privacy, encryption, no traffic logs, etc. However, some people might take issue with the lack of servers and reach that Private Internet Access has, when compared to other VPNs.
That being said, Private Internet Access is a good choice for P2P and streaming. You can use Netflix in other countries, stream HD videos, and benefit from some of the fastest VPN speeds on the market. However, international connections were a little slower (but this is to be expected).
Mobile and Desktop Experience
Private Internet Access is available on just about every device. In addition to standalone software available on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, Private Internet Access also offers a browser extension, as well as an app for Android and iOS devices. Private Internet Access's sleek and easy-to-use apps offer users a convenient way to access the service from anywhere.
Private Internet Access allows up to 10 devices to be connected at one time, but it's a negative mark because some VPNs allow unlimited devices to be connected.
Pricing and Plans
Private Internet Access offers three payment plans which seem pretty fair to me. As is the case with just about every VPN in the market, Private Internet Access offers a monthly option, as well as a couple more long-term options (which end up being cheaper but require you to pay upfront). The payment plans are as follows:
1) Monthly ($7.95/month) - This is the cheapest plan and requires no upfront payment. However, you will need to pay each month in order to continue using the service.
2) Three-Month Plan ($14.99/month) - This plan requires you to pay up front for 3 months, but then it becomes much cheaper at $7.99/month afterwards.
3) Six-Month Plan ($24.99/month) - This plan requires you to pay up front for 6 months, but then it becomes much cheaper at $14.99/month afterwards.
-Annually: $119.00/year
-Periodically: A set amount per month, or annually, or periodically
-Billing cycle: every month
The plan will be charged to your account every month. The total cost of the plan is $35.95.
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The cost of the subscription increases by 2 months each year. The cost is $39.95/year.
Suggestions that I have for Private Internet Access
Moving Private Internet Access to a country that is not as hostile to privacy would greatly improve their security.
That being said, there are plenty of other VPNs out there that are located in more privacy-friendly locales, such as the Virgin Islands. Another note is that I would love to see Private Internet Access expand a bit more. There are VPNs on the market that have nearly double the number of servers as Private Internet Access.