VPNs, or virtual private networks, have seemingly gone from being an interesting piece of technology that caught people’s attention to now being something that many use on a regular basis. And, because more of us than ever before use our smartphones for all things internet, using a VPN on mobile is the go-to, but how do you do it?
Before anyone gets started, there are a couple of things to note. You’ll need to know why you think a VPN is right for you and the purpose of having one, such as being able to access the best casino sites online from a territory where internet security isn’t great or looking to login to a streaming platform. And, from that, your usage is going to be key. How often will you be using a VPN, and for how long?
The above is important because there are free versions of VPNs out there, and there are paid services too. If you’re going to use a VPN occasionally, there is no point in paying for a service. However, if you plan to use on regularly, for long periods, and for activities such as gaming or watching videos, going down the paid route is going to be the right choice. Nobody wants to or should have to pay for something they’re not getting value from, after all.
When you know if you’re going to be using a free or paid version of a VPN, it’s time to find the one that is right for you. The free versions are easier to work with in the sense that there are loads of them around, especially on the app stores of iOS and Android-based handsets. You can see the reviews there, so it’s just a matter of downloading and installing.
For paid VPNs, the market leaders are ExpressVPN, NordVPN and SurfShark. What you will need to do when going down the paid route is sort a subscription online, and then download the relevant app, install it, and log in using your credentials. You can’t go wrong with either of the trio mentioned in terms of speed, security, reliability and features. But there are others on the market, so shop around, and read reviews from real people.
When the VPN is installed and you’re logged in, it’s time to make use of it. Of course, to actually use a VPN, you will need to activate it and then go to a browser such as Google Chrome, and from here, you should be able to access any websites you like based on the location set in the VPN. The paid services are great here as there are more servers in more locations.
And, when a VPN is running, you can also make doubly sure everything is as it should be by using Google and one of the many websites that will detail what your IP address is and from what country it’s located. If, for example, you set your IP to Spain, this should show when checking, giving you the peace of mind that your VPN on mobile is up to scratch.