- Mar 8, 2020
- 182
I like MalwareTips and I think it's time to give for this awesome community something back. This is my very first guide, so it won't be ideal.
I've been using VPN since 2014. It happened then I discovered that ISP can see what you are browsing and sell the data to 3rd parties. I started small and used some popular VPN providers, but the quality of service overall was quite bad.
Later I tried to deploy OpenVPN myself and used it for some time. It was an easy task to deploy it, but I didn't have enough time and skills to maintain, update, and secure it.
So, as time passed I started to come up with my strategy and how I use VPN. I've been using it successfully for several years and I think it's worth sharing.
Before I start I want to say that I am not affiliated with listed VPN providers in any way. I am not getting paid for this and this is my own experience with various VPN. This list is based on the requirements above and tested by me.
Mullvad, Sweden
Even though they are not lowkey provider and speed do vary a lot, it's worth mention, because they stand for privacy and have fair pricing.
Xeovo, Finland
Lowkey VPN provider with a strong privacy focus. Overall good speeds and flexible generators for WireGuard and OpenVPN. One of the early WireGuard supporters. Cheap.
BunkerVPN, Switzerland
Ethical VPN provider who seems to care about privacy and support strongly open source products. Good speeds, but lack of locations.
WireVPN, Estonia
This is more or less an honorable mention. This VPN provider does not operate anymore and had only WireGuard. Overall it was fast. Sad to see them fade away.
Cryptostorm, Iceland
I think this VPN provider is paranoid but does provide the same things as all previous ones. Speed varies a little bit more, but overall it's okay. The device limit hurts.
Finale:
There are more providers that I might add in the future because I am testing them right now. If community members are interested I can make a full in-depth review about listed providers and show all cons and pros.
Hopefully this was helpful.
This guide was made especially for MalwareTips, if you copy it, please share the link to the original. Stay safe!
I've been using VPN since 2014. It happened then I discovered that ISP can see what you are browsing and sell the data to 3rd parties. I started small and used some popular VPN providers, but the quality of service overall was quite bad.
Later I tried to deploy OpenVPN myself and used it for some time. It was an easy task to deploy it, but I didn't have enough time and skills to maintain, update, and secure it.
So, as time passed I started to come up with my strategy and how I use VPN. I've been using it successfully for several years and I think it's worth sharing.
- Avoid popular VPN providers. They do oversell their resources which end up with slow speed.
- Always rotate your VPN provider. This way you reduce risks, if one of VPN providers logs or will enable logging. You never know and it's better to be safe. You have to do this at least once in 6 months.
- Choose lowkey VPN providers with the next requirements. I will also add my personal recommendations with mini-reviews at the end of the post.
- Do not use their apps. Only opensource apps such as OpenVPN and WireGuard to establish a connection.
- No logs (even though it's impossible to check).
- Transparency reports.
- Zero trackings. No trackers/analytics on the website.
- Alteast native support for OpenVPN and WireGuard.
- Based in the EU or country with strong privacy laws.
- Avoid the USA, Russia, Asia, and offshore based VPN providers. People open companies in offshores to avoid taxes, they don't care about your privacy.
- This VPN provider has been on the market at least for +2 years.
- Accepts Bitcoin or Monero.
- No long terms and fair price (max 5-6 euros per month).
- Does not have affiliate marketing/unethical marketing (like TOP 10 BEST VPN PROVIDERS and other nonsenses)
Before I start I want to say that I am not affiliated with listed VPN providers in any way. I am not getting paid for this and this is my own experience with various VPN. This list is based on the requirements above and tested by me.
Mullvad, Sweden
Even though they are not lowkey provider and speed do vary a lot, it's worth mention, because they stand for privacy and have fair pricing.
Xeovo, Finland
Lowkey VPN provider with a strong privacy focus. Overall good speeds and flexible generators for WireGuard and OpenVPN. One of the early WireGuard supporters. Cheap.
BunkerVPN, Switzerland
Ethical VPN provider who seems to care about privacy and support strongly open source products. Good speeds, but lack of locations.
WireVPN, Estonia
This is more or less an honorable mention. This VPN provider does not operate anymore and had only WireGuard. Overall it was fast. Sad to see them fade away.
Cryptostorm, Iceland
I think this VPN provider is paranoid but does provide the same things as all previous ones. Speed varies a little bit more, but overall it's okay. The device limit hurts.
Finale:
There are more providers that I might add in the future because I am testing them right now. If community members are interested I can make a full in-depth review about listed providers and show all cons and pros.
Hopefully this was helpful.
This guide was made especially for MalwareTips, if you copy it, please share the link to the original. Stay safe!
