VPN Deals Heat Up as Online Privacy Concerns Rise
With online privacy becoming an ever-increasing concern, and recent legislation like the Online Safety Act prompting many in the UK to explore Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), the competition among VPN providers is fierce. Several top providers are currently offering substantial discounts and incentives to attract new customers. Let’s take a look at some of the deals available.
Surfshark: Budget-Friendly Privacy with Extra Perks
Surfshark is making a splash with its deeply discounted subscription. New users can currently snag three months of complimentary access, coupled with an impressive 86% reduction on the remaining subscription fees. This deal significantly lowers the monthly cost, making Surfshark one of the most affordable options available.
Surfshark has earned accolades from various tech publications, and their current offer requires signing up for a two-year plan. However, the company provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and round-the-clock customer support, mitigating any risk for first-time subscribers.
Beyond the standard VPN features, Surfshark subscriptions include the “Alternative ID” system. This generates a separate set of credentials for online account registration, allowing you to avoid using your actual name, email, or address.
Surfshark offers different subscription tiers:
- Surfshark Starter: This is the most basic plan, ideal for those who primarily want a VPN to encrypt their online activity and change their IP address.
- Surfshark One: This plan includes the VPN, along with real-time alerts for credit card and ID breaches on the Dark Web, 24/7 antivirus protection, and webcam protection.
- Surfshark One+: This top-tier plan includes everything in Surfshark One, plus a subscription to Incogni.
Incogni: Taking Control of Your Data
Incogni is a service that contacts data brokers on your behalf to request the removal of your personal information from their databases. Data brokers collect and sell information such as your ethnicity, religion, marital status, hobbies, online purchases, address, phone number, search history, and political affiliation. While privacy laws mandate that data brokers must remove your information upon request, the process of contacting each broker individually can be time-consuming. Incogni automates this process, sending the necessary paperwork to hundreds of data brokers worldwide to ensure your data is wiped from their records.
ExpressVPN: Speed and Reliability at a Discount
ExpressVPN, a well-established name in the VPN industry, is offering a promotion of its own. New subscribers can receive four months of free access with a two-year plan. The remaining months of the subscription are discounted by 61%.
While not the cheapest option, ExpressVPN is known for its fast connection speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN boasts a network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries. They also have a dedicated team focused on ensuring their servers are not blocked by popular streaming services like Netflix.
ExpressVPN offers premium features such as a kill switch, split tunnelling, and its proprietary Lightway protocol. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is a VPN and Why Might You Need One?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your online activity, shielding your browsing history and personal information from third parties. All data transmitted through this tunnel is encrypted, preventing your internet service provider, advertisers, and hackers from tracking your online behaviour.
Here are some of the benefits of using a VPN:
- Enhanced Privacy: A VPN prevents your internet service provider and advertisers from tracking your online activity.
- Improved Security: VPNs encrypt your data, protecting it from hackers and cybercriminals.
- Circumventing Restrictions: VPNs allow you to bypass geographical restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your region.
- Preventing Throttling: By encrypting your traffic, a VPN can prevent your internet service provider from throttling your bandwidth based on the type of content you are accessing.
When you connect to the internet, your device is assigned an IP address, which reveals your location and internet service provider. Websites can use this information to tailor content or block access based on your location. VPNs allow you to change your IP address by routing your traffic through servers in different locations, effectively masking your true location.
This can be useful for:
- Accessing Streaming Content: Many streaming services offer different content libraries depending on your location. A VPN can allow you to access content that is not available in your country.
- Bypassing Censorship: In countries with strict internet censorship, a VPN can allow you to access blocked websites and social media platforms.
How VPNs Work: A Simple Explanation
Without a VPN, your online activity is like sending a postcard – easily visible to anyone who intercepts it. A VPN acts like an envelope, protecting your data from prying eyes. The best VPNs use advanced encryption to keep your data safe.
VPN protocols dictate how data is transmitted between your device and the VPN server. ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway protocol, while Surfshark uses WireGuard.
With concerns surrounding online safety and data privacy continuing to grow, VPNs offer a valuable tool for individuals seeking to protect their information and control their online experience. The deals currently available from Surfshark and ExpressVPN provide an excellent opportunity to explore the benefits of VPN technology at a reduced cost.
