WiFi hotspots are highly sought after in many commercial districts, by consumers and employees alike. But, depending on who is providing the connection, your access to certain content may be limited, and your security is seriously compromised. A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, protects you while on a public WiFi hotspot. This is because the VPN service encrypts your data and hides your location.
Best VPN For public WiFi, get Express VPN today!
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Why is My Wifi Access Vunerable?
You may be sitting in a coffee shop, browsing Reddit, and decide you want to check out a video you’ve seen posted. Surprise!
The content is blocked, and you’re scratching your head wondering what is so controversial about kitten videos on YouTube.
Regardless of the innocence of the content, the administrators of WiFi hotspots have the right to restrict the type of content streamed over their connections.
The results can be frustrating, and at times, downright mystifying.
With the use of a reliable VPN service, users can circumvent these content blocks while also encrypting their data, ensuring their identity and information is protected.
What is the Threat?
With a WiFi hotspot, many users can log on to one open network. To the tech-savvy criminal, this can be a buffet of personal information that is difficult to resist.
While you’re innocently checking the balance in your bank account, a user ten feet away from you could actually be swiping your password.
Cyber-theft happens on many levels. Anything that is shared at a Wifi hotspot is fair game, including:
- personal photos and documents
- various account login information
- contact information
- financial information, such as account numbers, Paypal logins, etc.
However, with the use of a VPN, you can disappear off a hacker’s radar completely, and access whatever you want, whenever you need to, without the fear of your connection being compromised.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it is essentially a network that users can hop on, and have your connection encrypted.
Think of it like a secret tunnel inside a WiFi network, where you are free to go to any page and stream whatever you want like netflix, and nobody can see what you’re doing or access your data.
Not only is it incredibly helpful with getting around annoying content blocks, but these services also encrypt all your data, so your information is protected.
This is a big plus when dealing with open WiFi hotspots, which are so often a target of hackers trying to steal information.
Top 3 VPNs for Public WiFi
There are numerous options available now for these services, and it may be hard to choose one. Here I give a rundown on some of the top rated VPNs on the net.
#1 Choice: ExpressVPN– 9.5/10 -Best VPN for Public WiFi
By far, the company that stands out the most when considering your choices for VPN service providers is Express VPN.
With an excellent reputation for reliability, speed, and customer service, as well as a comprehensive network of servers, you really can’t go wrong with this company.
Express VPN offers exemplary customer service:
- 24/7 tech support, with an average turn-around time for e-mails of less than 30 minutes
- 30 day money back guarantee
- A referral program; refer a friend who signs up, and you both get 30 days – totally free
In addition to all these benefits, the speed of Express VPN means your surfing and streaming is smooth and fast.
Their encryption quality of 256-bit gives you peace of mind that your information is secure, even in public places like restaurants and libraries, where WiFi hotspots can be a magnet for cyber-crime.
In addition, this service is compatible with all of your WiFi-enabled devices.
As if that wasn’t enough, Express VPN offers service in 97 cities in 78 countries, so coverage is widespread and readily available, even if you travel abroad.
With perks like this, Express VPN is a tough one to beat. Read our full express vpn review here.
For the best VPN to use with WiFi, get Express VPN today.
#2: IPVANISH – 7/10 – CAPABLE, BUT NOT AS SUPERB AS EXPRESS VPN
If you can’t seem to connect to an Express VPN server, I would try IPVanish next.
While their service isn’t quite as well rounded as Express VPN’s, their connection is just about as fast, so streaming, downloading, and surfing should be just as smooth.
Plus, with unlimited bandwidth, you never have to worry about hitting a monthly cap.
However, IPVanish’s software has pretty limited compatibility.
While you can use it on most devices, including ones that run Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux systems, it’s not compatible with iOS.
If you need a VPN to protect your iPad or iPhone’s connection, keep shopping, or use Express VPN.
While IPVanish’s support is 24/7, they don’t have any live ways of getting in touch with them, like live chat or phone support.
If you need assistance, you’ll likely be waiting at least a few hours to hear back on an e-mail support ticket. Also to keep in mind – their money back guarantee is only one week long.
IPVanish has a fast, reliable connection that’s secure enough to protect your data on public Wi-Fi networks.
However, their limited software compatibility and customer support options may not make them the VPN for some customers.
IPVanish can be found at this website.
#3: HideMyAss – 5/10 – ONLY IF TOP TWO CHOICES AREN’T AVAILABLE
Even though their software is compatible with all major operating systems, I still advise only using HideMyAss if you absolutely can’t get Express VPN.
This VPN may look like a good one at first glance, but there are some major hang ups with their service that have many customers cashing in on their 30-day money back guarantee.
For starters, their connection is horribly slow, no matter which server you choose, making them a poor choice for devices that otherwise would run smooth and efficiently.
If you plan to stream, download, Tweet, anything, HideMyAss is just going to bog down your device and irritate you. Stick with Express VPN for fast streaming and downloading.
Their connection is also incredibly unreliable, raising some security concerns. If and when the server suddenly just drops your connection, your data is left wide open and exposed.
Despite their large network of servers, this seems to happen quite often with HideMyAss.
With equally slow support, HideMyAss is just generally not worth the trouble, and usually not capable of keeping your connection secure anyway.
For security that works on any device, just use Express VPN.
HideMyAss is here.
Conclusion: Best VPN for Public WiFi
Since most of us use an open WiFi network when the opportunity presents itself, it’s best to do so with the reassurance that your sensitive information is secure, and only being viewed by you.
With the great service of Express VPN, everything you communicate through that hotspot will be completely encrypted and secure.
You will be able to browse at-will whatever you like, regardless of administrator restrictions. You’ll be in your secret Internet tunnel, impervious to annoying content blocks and safe from hackers.
For the best protection and fast connection on public WiFi, get Express VPN today.
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