Most VPNs advertise with promises of maximum security, impenetrable encryption, and online privacy. However, you’d be surprised that some may risk your safety and privacy to make more profit. Certain free VPNs can even infect you with malware; others track your online activity to sell it to the

Mac users face the same risks online, and the same annoying content geoblocks, as users of any other device. But for a long time, there were few options to protect your Mac and unlock restricted sites and services. As is often the case with new software, the first VPN clients offered for casual

Despite Tor's anonymization capabilities, it still leaves room for certain privacy issues. For instance, your ISP can see you're using Tor, which can attract unwanted attention. Onion over VPN is a method that combines the privacy benefits of The Onion Router (Tor) and the security offered by

OpenVPN is widely regarded as the most secure VPN protocol, and for that reason, most premium VPNs use OpenVPN by default. However, while native apps from providers will securely connect you to their server networks via OpenVPN automatically, there are reasons why you might want to set up your

Though premium VPNs work reliably, it's still common to run into connection issues. Your VPN not connecting can be a result of several hitches. For example, the app itself might be faulty, your internet connection is slow, or the device settings are corrupted. Many of these problems aren’t

VPNs are legal in most cases, but it’s not always that straightforward. There are some legal grey zones to consider, plus location and use case can make all the difference in the legality of VPN use. Given the implications of breaking the law, it’s important to understand when and where VPNs become

Leaving your browsing or search history unprotected exposes you to several risks. Third parties such as internet service providers (ISPs), hackers, or network administrators can monitor your online activities. You can be easily targeted with advertising, surveillance, or identity theft. A VPN

Most free VPNs make online gaming nearly impossible. They often have high ping rates that cause lag, strict data caps that cut your gaming sessions short, and weak security that leaves you vulnerable to DDoS attacks. Some even collect your data or install malware on your device. My team and I

Using a VPN in China requires careful consideration of both safety and performance. Most free VPNs struggle to work in China, and many are actually dangerous — collecting your data, installing malware, or failing to protect your privacy when you need it most. With the country’s strict internet

From speaking with users and analyzing community feedback, I realize that finding a reliable VPN that still works in Russia is more complicated than ever. The government has tightened restrictions, blocking major VPN domains and improving its detection methods. Additionally, international

VPNs are the most convenient tool for securing your online streaming activities. However, finding one that can keep your data safe without causing buffering during your home movie marathons is challenging. With this in mind, my team and I tested 50+ VPNs. I found the best ones for high-quality

With the cost of everything going up exponentially, the last thing I want is to spend money on a VPN that's slow, unreliable, or unsafe. This is why I thoroughly test a VPN before committing to a subscription. But finding a genuinely useful VPN trial can be frustrating — most either limit essential

Internet speeds are precious, and nothing kills your connection quite like a slow VPN. While all VPNs impact speeds due to encryption and routing, many turn simple tasks like streaming, video calling, and torrenting into a frustrating waiting game. The difference between a quality VPN and a poor

TikTok's sophisticated detection system spots most VPN connections, which can block access entirely or hurt visibility for content creators. Millions of users and businesses are already cut off in countries where TikTok is banned, and many more in the US could face the same if a nationwide ban

You can get into plenty of trouble if you’re caught using the dark web on a restrictive network, and many firewalls simply block the Tor browser to prevent access. Plus, your internet service provider (ISP) can detect the use of Tor, and some of the volunteer-run nodes on the Tor network can see

Some VPN extensions for Chrome lack important security features, while others aren’t ideal for smooth streaming due to bandwidth restrictions and slow speeds. Some even expose you to adware and malware, so a wrong choice can do more harm than good. I tested dozens of VPN extensions to find the

Port forwarding is essential for hosting game servers, improving P2P speeds, and accessing remote devices. However, most VPNs block it outright due to security risks. Even when VPNs do support port forwarding, they often implement it in a way that’s either unsafe, difficult to configure, or both.

Most VPNs push long-term deals by luring you with big discounts, but sometimes you need a VPN for a short time, like a brief trip abroad, where you have to rely on public WiFi. I've used one for only one month because it performed exceptionally well for fast, secure torrenting, but was mediocre in

Many free VPNs either block torrenting, leak your data, or significantly slow your connection. Some even log your activity, show intrusive ads, or lack basic security features like encryption or a kill switch. So, my team and I tested 40+ free torrenting VPNs to find the safest ones that allow

Since SOCKS5 proxies lack encryption, it’s best to get a VPN that includes the protocol as a feature instead. That way, you can use SOCKS5 when you need it and a secure VPN the rest of the time. That said, it's hard to find a VPN that’s safe to use and also offers SOCKS5. My team and I tested

Every second counts in live betting, and a good VPN could be the difference between catching the right odds and missing out. I’ve had moments where a split-second delay meant the line shifted right before I could lock in my bet. My team and I tested 48 VPNs to find the best ones that reliably