What Is a VPN, and Why You Need One

What Is a VPN, and Why You Need One

All VPN companies say they don’t log whatever you’re doing online, but inevitably they collect a little data. Some services record the day your account logged on, the amount of data you used, and delete anything else when the session closes. Others add items like your incoming IP address and the server you used, and keep the data for months, even years. If you’re concerned, check the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to find out more.

Avast Password Manager comes in addition to Avast Free Antivirus (in Windows version) and presents the feature of storing and securing passwords from online services as well as other personalized data. This Password Manager uses specific multi-factor authentication both 2FA (2-factor authentication), MFA (multi-factor authentication), and fingerprint sign-in function so that all data can be secured. Manager can run along with other Avast products correctly, but most importantly, it synchronizes your devices.

Does Avast SecureLine VPN Have a Free Version?

We’ve used VPNs to read the New York morning paper in Beijing, and watch U.S. And for good reason – it offers fast, reliable connections to servers across the globe (although, to be honest, fewer than a few of the VPN services above offer) that never disconnected during our testing.

Avast SecureLine VPN Background

If you’re using an operating system that is used by millions of users worldwide, you’re fine. However, If you’re using a less popular OS, outdated OS, or incompatible hardware, there may not be many ways to use or configure VPN on your device. Most VPNs are available for four most popular operating systems, likewise Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. If you’re using anything else, the chances are that; you may face difficulties configuring the service and even get the support from the company.

Is Avast SecureLine VPN Compatible with My Device?

Several VPN providers offer ways to configure your router to protect your entire internet network as well, which could work as a solution to this issue. Using a VPN can make it look like you’re someplace else. It’s a well-worn practice to evade online censorship, as is done in some countries, or to tap into U.S. streaming services while in Europe or Asia.

Streaming – Does Avast SecureLine VPN Work with Netflix?

Is Avast SecureLine VPN safe?

With its fast speeds and ability to access popular streaming platforms, Avast SecureLine VPN is a good choice for streaming. The VPN also covers the basics when it comes to security. However, the price is a little high for a VPN that doesn’t include many advanced features.

Moreover, many free VPN services enforce speed limits or have servers that become too crowded at times, so using a free VPN could definitely slow down your internet connection significantly. This usually means there is something that you aren’t supposed to have access to, but you do with a VPN. For instance, some governments block certain content for their citizens because they think it’s unfit or it threatens their values. Or sometimes certain content providers lock out users from out countries because they simply have not paid part of the license-fee, for example.

  • Unfortunately, though, many free VPN providers were not designed to provide the average user with more privacy and anonymity on the internet, but solely to make money.
  • These kinds of VPNs are not in the business of selling a VPN service but selling your personal data to third parties.
avast secureline vpn review

However, there have been cases where VPN companies are monitoring the data from their users for their own benefits. Yes, they might help bypass your internet restrictions and hide your IP address, but the private network companies might actually do the tracking instead. Since a VPN redirects your internet traffic via an exteral server, using a VPN could slow down your connection. However, there are many good premium VPNs out there that offer stable and fast connections, anyway. Most free VPNs aren’t capable of offering such services.

These kinds of VPNs are not in the business of selling a VPN service but selling your personal data to third parties. When you use a VPN service you route your traffic through their servers. You pay them a subscription fee, they encrypt your data and they promise not to log or store all your data. However, many free VPN services earn their money by selling your data to, for example, advertisers. In this case, you are better off not having any VPN service at all and instead installing an Adblocker or some other security features.

These services are also limited to Windows, Mac, iOS and Android and don’t work without client software. But they offer few features, have a couple of dozen servers at most and don’t let you pay anonymously. However, the companies are known quantities, and the services are handy for occasional travelers. Some private network services will allow you to use their private servers in exchange for your data. Of course, they might not state their intention in the first place.

You can use a VPN to bypass these restrictions and access the content anyway. For this reason, VPNs aren’t very popular with these governments.

Unfortunately, though, many free VPN providers were not designed to provide the average user with more privacy and anonymity on the internet, but solely to make money. A prime example is Hola VPN, a VPN service you should steer clear from.

Does Avast SecureLine VPN Keep Logs?

VPNs also only do so much to anonymize your online activities. If you really want to browse the web anonymously, and access the Dark Web to boot, you’ll want to use Tor.

We also like that PIA’s ‘Detect Best Server’ function takes the guesswork out of things for you, by suggesting which of its 60+ locations you should adopt at any given time. Similar to VPNs, there are a number of proxy services that will hide your IP address and encrypt your online activity.

Unlike a VPN, Tor bounces your traffic through several server nodes, making it much harder to trace. It’s also managed by a non-profit organization and distributed for free. Some VPN services will even connect to Tor via VPN, for additional security.

For instance, when you access them through a shared IP address at the same time as other users. This can be very annoying if you just want to watch a movie. Luckily, there are some VPN providers that make sure there is always a server you can use to watch Netflix. If you want a premium VPN that allows you to use Netflix, take a look at ExpressVPN. Avast SecureLine and Avira Phantom VPN are run by antivirus companies as complements to their primary businesses.

VPNs are also blocked by streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Because these companies have contracts with movie distributors that only allows them to show content in specific countries, they have started going after VPNs. With a VPN, people access the content of another country on these streaming services. Since Netflix might not have the rights to show that content in your country, they are fighting the use of a VPN. They do so by blocking IP addresses that access their service with large amounts of people at the same time.