What Makes a Good VPN Comparison Site
If you type “VPN comparison” or “best VPN services” in the Google search field, you will get hundreds of thousands, even millions, of results.
You could just click on the few first ones, but can they be trusted? There are a few things you should pay attention to.
Regularly Updated Information
The VPN market is extremely dynamic – information from 2015 is hopelessly outdated by now. Therefore, the most reputable comparison sites update
their reviews at least once a year to reflect the latest features, server locations and general performance. If a site has no dates on its articles,
try searching for the relevant article on Google – it sometimes shows the publishing date next to the link.
Clear Reasoning Behind the Ratings
If someone’s job is reviewing VPN services, they’d better know what makes some providers more secure than others, or why one VPN may work better
for a specific purpose than another. They should also be able to explain it in a clear, concise way without relying on the specialist jargon too
much. Look for well-written articles with specific points: no rambling, no factual mistakes, no generic reviews that seem to be describing pretty
much any service on the market.
Well Defined Methodology
Another important factor is how exactly VPN comparison tests are conducted. One thing is to compare different services on paper (that is, check
their pricing, ToS, privacy policies, features etc.). It is easy and anyone with a bit of free time can do that. However, running actual tests and
checking how a service works in real-life scenarios is another thing entirely.
To get objective results, the tests have to be conducted in exactly the same conditions and environment. That not only includes testing different
services by using VPN servers located in the same city, using the same VPN protocol, encryption or device, but also the same time of the day, ISP
and so on.
Transparency
Although the vast majority of review sites accept payments from sponsors, the sites that care about their reputation strive to maintain objectivity,
sometimes even relying on independent reviewers. Pay attention to the Disclaimer section of the site – if it doesn’t mention compensation from VPN
developers, its owners are either really passionate about privacy or simply dishonest. The About section is also telling: major sites are less
evasive about their owners and employees, adding to their credibility.
Top VPN Comparison Sites
PCMag
The behemoth of tech reviews and best picks for anything from antivirus software to drones, visited by roughly 40 million readers a month. Like all
other categories, its VPN section is nicely structured and features a convenient comparison table for a quick look at all key parameters.
TechAdvisor
Another all-rounder with millions of followers, TechAdvisor is more focused on the UK market but popular in other countries too. The VPN comparison
section is well researched, regularly updated and easy to follow.
vpnMentor
A site specializing on VPN service comparison and heavily focused on reviews by actual users. It’s a good place to start if you want to get a
balance between real use cases and professional reviews written by acclaimed tech experts. Also, if you have anything to share about NordVPN or
another service, this site will make your opinion count.
VPN Special
A relatively new yet quickly growing comparison site with a great layout. While other small sites often get cluttered with banners, badges, pop-up
windows and whatnot, VPN Special is easy on the eye and well organized.
That One Privacy Site
Remember when we said that some comparison sites are all about real passion for privacy? That’s the one. What That One Privacy Guy lacks in
manpower and funds, he makes up for in effort, going so far as to create a massive searchable VPN comparison spreadsheet, which covers everything
from supported platforms to available obfuscation tools.
BestVPN
Besides regularly refreshed VPN reviews and a host of top 5 VPN lists for any possible occasion, BestVPN posts various articles on cybersecurity and
digital rights daily, making it one of the go-to sites for anyone interested in Internet privacy.
Best Online Reviews
Yet another relatively new site focused on comparing VPN services – but with video reviews. These are nice if you want a quick digest of all the
key features of each service presented visually.
NordVPN allows connecting to 3344 servers in 60 countries and secures your internet traffic with strong encryption protocols. We never log on where you go on the internet, so all your browsing activities remain private and protected from any snoopers and hackers.
In addition to this, we have a full list of advanced privacy solutions, including Double Data Encryption, DNS Leak Resolver and Onion Over VPN. Our Automatic Kill Switch is like a cherry on top – it ensures that your data stays secure even if the VPN connection suddenly drops out.
We are extremely excited to share great news with our users: NordVPN has implemented a new advanced VPN solution for Windows, so that users in China and other heavily restricted locations can experience the Internet with no blocking, censorship and cyber threats.
China is an extremely tough market for a VPN service to enter and we were working very hard to make it happen. In China, the Internet is controlled domestically. Strong technological and legal barriers, the so-called the Great Firewall, regulates the inbound and outbound Internet traffic between China and the rest of the world. As a result, users are not able to access many websites, social networks, also selected keywords are filtered from search engines.
Using a VPN in China is necessary in order to access the blocked content and protect Internet traffic from snoopers and government surveillance. When connected to a VPN server in a desired country, the IP address is replaced and domestic content restrictions no longer apply. What is more, user private data is encrypted with the most advanced security protocols. And we are more than happy that from this day on, NordVPN can help to reclaim the Internet freedom for users in China!
What sites are blocked in China
It’s not only selected websites that are blocked or censored. Entire online services, without which users all around the globe can’t imagine their lives, are blocked in China. For example, Google products, such as Google Search, Google Mail, Google Docs and Google Maps, are out of reach for Internet users in China. Moreover, popular social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, counting billions of users, cannot be accessed from China. Adding the global news sources – such as The New York Times and Bloomberg – to the list makes the situation even worse.
How to use VPN in China
If you’re not familiar with NordVPN yet, no worries – our VPN service is extremely easy to start using. In order to browse the Internet securely in China, follow these steps:
Choose NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs best and create your account.
Download and install NordVPN app for Windows.
Now there are two ways to use NordVPN for Windows in China. In most cases, you should be able to run the app and connect to a server in the regular way. However, China’s Internet restrictions vary per different cities and provinces, so sometimes an additional method has to be used. If you are unable to connect in the usual way, here’s what you will need to do:
Go to the Settings menu.
Select Advanced Settings.
Enable Obfuscated servers.
This will unlock an alternative server list created specifically for using VPN under heavy restrictions. A tutorial can also be found in our Help Center. In case you’re having issues when trying to connect to a VPN server in China, don’t hesitate to contact our support team.
Online Security Made Simple
At NordVPN, we believe that advanced online security solutions should be accessible to every internet user. So we have designed our application around you: making it smarter, faster, more intuitive and easier to navigate.
Protect Your Online Privacy on the Go
Based on minimalism and intuitive functionality, our apps are tailored to provide fast and secure VPN experience, particularly for mobile users. Simply download, set it up, and you are ready to go.
Change Your IP With One Click
If you don’t have specific server requirements and just want to hide from snoopers and hackers, the Android app can automatically connect you to the best server available at the moment. To do this, simply tap the Quick Connect button on the home screen or while browsing a country list.
Quickly Switch Between Servers
Open the map to pick the desired destination or choose it from the updated server list. What’s really cool is that from now on you can sort the servers by loads, distance, and our recommendations. And if you’ve found the server you like, simply add it to your favorites and connect to it faster next time.
Shield Yourself From Ads and Malware
With our new security feature, called CyberSec, you will see fewer ads and will be prevented from entering malware-hosting sites. If you are trying to access a website that is known for phishing or malware, CyberSec blocks the dangerous site. Just don’t forget to enable the feature in your settings.
Take a quick look at the NordVPN Android app features:
Connect up to 6 devices under one account
Choose from 3344 servers in 60 countries
Turn on CyberSec to block ads and malware-hosting sites
Quickly access servers optimized for your needs: Double VPN, Onion over VPN, P2P, anti-DDoS
See your session info (new IP address, VPN connection status and duration)
Filter servers by loads and distance or quickly connect to a recommended server
Small businesses have been popping up all over the world at a tremendous pace. In any area of today’s world, numerous small businesses are trying to make a name for themselves and compete with the big guns. They usually need to work harder and make their small investments count, as one wrong move can make all the difference between building an excellent reputation and going out of business.
Ensuring the data security of a small business is essential, as losing valuable information about your business or compromising the data of your customers may have dire consequences. Securing small business online data is key in today’s competitive environment. Here’s how to do it with a small investment.
Scenarios where small business data may be breached
Using an ad-hoc office. Many entrepreneurs and small businesses work from a coffee shop using free Wi-Fi. Open Wi-Fi networks hold a number of threats to data security.
Hiring remote workers. Having employees in different parts of the country, or even the world, is one important factor that can put small businesses at risk in terms of cyber security. Transmitting data online without proper precautions may lead to cyber attacks and data breaches.
Providing a free Wi-Fi hotspot. Customers often choose to visit a small business because of their access to free internet. If someone infects, sniffs or steals your customer data while using the unsecured Wi-Fi at your establishment, the reputation of your business will suffer.
A VPN service can be a solution in all of these scenarios.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, is an online security service that helps one surf the Internet securely and privately. VPNs connect a user to their desired website through an encrypted virtual tunnel. The connection is made via a remote VPN server; the user’s IP address is replaced with the IP address of the server, ensuring a private browsing experience.
The fact that all your online traffic is reliably encrypted means that no one can intercept your sensitive data while you are browsing the Internet. All you need to do is connect to one of available VPN servers, and you’re good to go. Good VPNs have many servers all over the world, making it easier for you to establish a connection at any given time.
How can a VPN help a small business?
The hallmarks of a VPN service are security and privacy. While privacy is not the absolute necessity for business owners, security definitely is. Entrepreneurs need to regularly communicate with their business partners or people working for them in far-off locations. The Internet is the preferred mode of communication, but we keep hearing about data breaches every other day.
Since a VPN provides a secure connection, it is an ideal tool for entrepreneurs looking to communicate remotely. The encrypted connection makes it safer for business owners to share sensitive data about their business over the Internet. It keeps the data confidential and safe from all prying eyes. A VPN also allows accessing all the usual online content while traveling, which makes it an even more valuable service.
Choosing a VPN that best fits your need is essential to how positive the VPN turns out for you. You should look for a VPN that:
makes it easy for you to connect with the people you want to communicate with;
is easy and straightforward to use and manage by both sides;
uses strong encryption protocols;
provides high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth;
allows connecting to several devices under one account.
Where did the Internet freedom in China go?
The Internet in China is the opposite of being open and free. Unfortunately, it happens to be under tight domestic control: a number of legal and technological barriers make up the Great Chinese Firewall, which regulates the inbound and outbound online traffic between China and the rest of the world. The result? Blocked websites and heavy censorship of ‘unfavorable’ content.
While opening the Gmail app on your phone to see what’s new in your inbox may be your morning routine, it is an impossible scenario for China’s residents. In fact, you even wouldn’t be able to google it why or let Google Maps guide you through busy streets of Beijing, because Google products widely-used worldwide are blocked in China.
The extensive list of websites blocked in China includes the most popular social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, video entertainment platforms, such as Netflix and Youtube, and global news sites, such as Bloomberg, The Financial Times, The Economist and The New York Times.
Not only does the Great Firewall block certain websites and filters keywords from search engines, but its’ sophisticated surveillance system also performs constant monitoring of what’s being said online. The authorities aim to neutralize public opinions by deleting undesirable content entries. Those Internet users who dare to express critique against the regime, communicate with activist groups abroad or share their thoughts about topics deemed sensitive online may face prosecutions and even imprisonment. This is a real blow against the freedom of speech.
Overcome the Internet censorship with VPN
NordVPN helps Internet users to get through the Great Firewall of China, access blocked websites and avoid surveillance. VPN reroutes the Internet traffic through a remote server, this way hiding the actual IP address. So, when you connect to a foreign VPN server, the domestic restrictions of China no longer apply to you.
China’s cyber environment is extremely complicated, and it requires high technological complexity and top-notch methods for a VPN app to work. The latest NordVPN app for Android has it all – the advanced solution is developed to overcome the Internet censorship and restrictions, giving the possibility for Internet users in China to reclaim the freedom of choice and speech.
NordVPN app for Android: what’s inside?
NordVPN not only removes website blocks in China but also secures your online activity. Military-grade encryption protects the Internet traffic from unwanted snoopers, so your sensitive data remains private.
If you have several Internet-enabled devices, you can secure up to six of them with a single NordVPN account simultaneously.
There are more than 1000 VPN servers in 60 countries to choose from, but you can simply leave it for the app to pick the best option automatically. In case you want something specific, each server comes with distance and load information for your convenience.
The latest update of the Android app comes with security updates and bug fixes for an even better mobile browsing experience.
How to get the update?
The latest version of the NordVPN app for Android is available on Google Play Store.
Since Google services are inaccessible from China, you can download the .apk file from our website.
How to use VPN in China
Now there are two ways to use NordVPN for Android in China. In most cases, you should be able to run the app and connect to a server in the regular way. However, China’s Internet restrictions vary per different cities and provinces, so sometimes an additional method has to be used. If you are unable to connect in the usual way, here’s what you will need to do:
Go to the Settings menu.
Select Advanced Settings.
Enable Obfuscated servers.
If you’re an expat, you probably know how difficult and exciting it was to make that move from your home country to your new country. The culture, the food, the people, the location—it’s all great, or at least interesting. But if you’re an expat abroad, you also know that you need a VPN.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and a remote server in a location of your choice. All connections, now encrypted, go through that server, so if you’re in Hanoi, and connecting to a server in the US, to the website you’re visiting, it will look like you’re connecting from the US.
Even better, even if someone is able to peek at your activity online, they wouldn’t see much except a lot of jumble, as your VPN service has encrypted your information.
