What Features are a Must-Have for a VPN?

Are you looking for a VPN to protect your online privacy or for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services but not sure which provider to choose? Well, you cannot be blamed for that.

Choosing the right VPN service can be quite challenging nowadays because there are hundreds of VPN providers available out there. Every other VPN provider claims to be the best in the industry but to really know which one’s the best, you will have to take a look at the features they are offering. 

When choosing a VPN, there are certain must-have features that you should look for. These features will help you in making a good decision. Following are some must-have features in a VPN: 

Strong Encryption

The main thing to look for in any VPN is the encryption that it offers. Numerous VPN providers claim to be the best and the most secure, but they offer weak encryption, making them unreliable. 

The best VPN providers offer military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, which is the most secure encryption protocol. It cannot be hacked and if done properly, it protects you well enough from hackers and malware. 

Compatibility / Apps for Major OS and Platforms

Every user has their own preference of device on which they want to use a VPN. You would obviously want a VPN that can work on your phone as well as on your laptop or PC. Therefore, when you are choosing a VPN provider, do check the device compatibility it offers. 

Only the best VPN providers have apps for different operating systems like Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, FireStick, etc. If you choose a VPN that has apps for various devices, it will allow you to protect all of your devices and enjoy digital freedom. 

Dedicated IP

A dedicated IP is a unique address assigned to you that stays the same every time you connect to the internet. Since you are the only one using that IP address, you get to enjoy improved site speed and better security because there is no load on that IP address.

Having a dedicated IP VPN helps you in enjoying the true benefits of a VPN but it is at times costly and you may have to pay extra for it. 

No-log Policy

A no-logs policy means that your activity will be totally private and you’ll stay completely anonymous. A reliable VPN provider makes sure that their users will not be tracked and none of their information will be collected, sold, rented, or traded to any third-party sources. 

The information that this no-logs policy refrains from being collected such as users’ browsing history, downloads, the apps they use, etc. Therefore, it is always important to choose a VPN that has a strict no-logs policy. This way you can ensure that the VPN you have opted for is trustable enough in terms of privacy. 

Secure VPN Protocols

When you are looking for a VPN that can protect your online privacy and safeguard you from hackers and malware, then you should always look for the provider with the most secure VPN protocols. 

Some of the best VPN providers offer the following VPN protocols: 

• WireGuard
• IKEv2/IPSec
• SSTP
• OpenVPN

If the VPN you are thinking to opt for has the following protocols integrated, then you have made the right choice. 

IP and DNS Leak Protection

If a VPN leaks DNS and IP addresses, then it is not reliable at all, because it is making you vulnerable. When a VPN leaks DNS, it gives an opportunity to hackers to attack you. Therefore, always choose a VPN that offers IP and DNS leak protection. 

One thing that you should know is that only premium VPNs offer DNS and IP leak protection. If you are thinking about choosing a free VPN provider, then please don’t. A free VPN provider may claim to offer DNS leak protection but in reality, it does not have such protocols that can protect your data. 

Also, Read: What are the Best Certifications for Cyber Security Freshers?

Kill Switch Feature

Having a kill switch feature in a VPN is like having insurance. A Kill switch disconnects your internet in case your connection to the VPN server breaks down. This way your connection does not go unsecured and you do not become vulnerable at all.

A kill switch is a must to have feature in a VPN. All of the best VPN providers have the kill switch feature. 

Simultaneous Connectivity

Having a VPN that allows simultaneous connectivity is the best thing. It allows you to share your account with your friends and family, without having them pay anything extra. Also, you can stay protected yourself and you can make sure that your loved ones are protected as well.

Many VPN providers usually offer 5 simultaneous connections, whereas there are a few VPN providers that offer unlimited multi-logins. This allows users to share their accounts with a maximum number of people. 

24/7 Chat Support

There will be times when you might face issues while using a VPN or when you’re trying to install it over a device. In such cases, you will be needing support from the provider. That is why you should always choose a VPN that offers 24/7 chat support. 

Almost every VPN offers support services but many of them have a ticket based on an email-based support protocol. These methods of customer support aren’t really helpful because they fail to help you in real-time. 

Having chat support, however, is the best thing because you get an instant response and help with your issue. Every top-of-the-line VPN provider offers chat support for its customers. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, by now you would have had a good idea of the features that you should be looking for in a VPN and why they are important. Every VPN provider claims to offer top-notch service but when you look at their features, you get to know the reality. Only the best VPN providers will offer all of the features that we have discussed in this guide. 

Another tip at this point is that you should never opt for a free VPN. The security features and encryption of a free VPN are pretty weak and they cannot protect your online privacy at all. Rather, they gather your data and sell it to advertisers, meaning that they cannot be trusted. 

So, be smart, stay safe, and use a premium VPN!