5 Best VPNs for Security (Keep Sensitive Data Safe in 2024)

Best VPNs for Security (Keep Sensitive Data Safe in 2024)

Online security has always been an important topic since the inception of the internet. Presently, several tools online promise to keep people safe and secure while they surf the internet. A VPN is one such tool that has many benefits, including securing your connection, keeping you anonymous, circumventing censorship, and bypassing geo-restrictions. 

VPNs are generally secure, and their primary purpose is to keep you safe on the internet. However, with the rise of malicious and unsafe VPNs, it is paramount that users make the right choice when selecting one. This article focuses on VPNs that will keep sensitive data safe and secure.

These VPNs below will keep your data secure and prevent attacks that can lead to bad actors stealing your data or having access to information that is important to you. Let’s dive into them. 

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN devices

Features

  • Number of servers: More than 3,000
  • Speeds: Unlimited
  • Server locations: 160 in 94 countries
  • Maximum devices supported: 5
  • 24 live chat: Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

Pros/Cons

  • Fastest VPN out there
  • Strict no logs policy
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Few discounts
Visit ExpressVPN

Industry leader ExpressVPN always puts your security first. This top VPN service provider is present in 94 countries and has over 3000 servers spread across them. Its extensive server network is secure and allows you to unblock sites cut off from you because of geo-restrictions. With access to streaming and P2P optimized servers, you can watch and download local and international content.

ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer—a technology that enforces its servers to run on RAM only. TrustedServer agrees with its airtight No-Log Policy that ensures it doesn’t store personal information or connection data anyone can use to identify its users. ExpressVPN is under the jurisdiction of the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and offers a cryptocurrency payment option to its users.

One of the reasons why ExpressVPN is the best VPN to keep you safe is because of its robust security features. Packing enough ammunition to defend against malicious entities, ExpressVPN keeps your data secure with 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, Tor over VPN, Split Tunneling, and a Kill Switch. It also makes available OpenVPN, IKEv2, and a proprietary Lightway protocol as VPN protocols you can use.

Native applications for mainstream platforms, instructions for manual installation, always-available support, a 30-day cash-back policy, and five simultaneous connections are other features ExpressVPN offers.

  • Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $6.67

NordVPN

NordVPN devices

Features

  • Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: 6
  • Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
  • Servers: 5342 in 58 countries

Pros/Cons

  • Lots of pricing options
  • Netflix support kept up to date
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Slow app
Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is another industry leader with enough security firepower to ensure that bad actors can’t steal your data once you connect to its network. Over 5400 servers respond to requests from its users worldwide. These servers are spread over 59 countries and unblock geo-blocked sites consistently.

Ensuring it protects your privacy, NordVPN has its headquarters in Panama, where there are no invasive data laws. Without data retention laws, NordVPN stays true to its No-Log Policy and goes further to offer other privacy features such as obfuscated servers and a cryptocurrency payment option.

NordVPN’s sophisticated security features make it a good choice if you’re looking for a VPN to protect you online. Its NordLynx protocol is a blend of performance, security, and simplicity. It also offers other protocols, including IKEv2 and OpenVPN. With military-grade encryption, Double VPN, Split Tunneling, Tor over VPN, a Kill Switch, and an adblocker, NordVPN is well prepared to keep you as safe as money in a fortified vault.

Available for use on several operating systems and devices, NordVPN wants to keep you secure on as many platforms as it can. However, it can only protect six devices at the same time per subscriber.

  • Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $3.71

Surfshark

Surfshark devices

Features

  • Free trial? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
  • Ad blocking? Yes
  • Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries

Pros/Cons

  • No footprints
  • Allows torrenting
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not the fastest
Try Surfshark

Surfshark’s over 3200 servers are available for users looking to keep their connection secure. Present in 65 countries, Surfshark’s geographically diverse server network is attractive to people in different continents who want to secure their connection. This VPN service will protect your connection, regardless of whether you’re streaming, torrenting, downloading, or just browsing.

While protecting you from bad actors, Surfshark keeps you on a fast and reliable connection. It keeps your data away from the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance by having its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands. Surfshark has a No-Log Policy, warrant canary, Camouflage Mode, and a cryptocurrency payment option, all in a bid to maintain your anonymity and privacy.

Surfshark uses the impermeable AES-256 combined with in-built leak protection and perfect forward secrecy to give you an impenetrable internet connection. It also makes available various secure protocols you can use, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, Shadowsocks, and IKEv2. Double VPN, CleanWeb, and a Kill Switch are other security features that protect your data and privacy.

Apart from supporting various browsers, operating systems, and platforms, Surfshark has no simultaneous connection limit. So you can use it on as many devices as you want. Plus, its modest subscription plans and 30-day money-back guarantee allow it to be an attractive VPN for security.

  • Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest Price: $2.49

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN devices

Features

  • P2P support? Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
  • Country of origin? Switzerland
  • Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
  • Simultaneous devices: 5

Pros/Cons

  • Professional support
  • Modern interface and apps
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Lesser known provider
Try ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has put in operation more than a thousand servers spread across 54 countries. These servers might not be as quick as the VPNs above, but they will give you little or no issues. Its focus on security and privacy makes this VPN a perfect choice for users looking for solid protection.

ProtonVPN’s Secure Core servers are similar to the Double VPN feature of most VPNs; they make it challenging for anyone spying on your network to track you online. Its Geneva base is another reason it’s a perfect choice for those looking to stay safe and anonymous. In addition, ProtonVPN does not store logs as its No-Log Policy is encouraged by Swiss privacy laws.

Furthermore, ProtonVPN uses the best-in-class encryption (AES-256) combined with perfect forward secrecy to ensure a tight security perimeter. It uses only VPN protocols that have no security vulnerabilities: OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. ProtonVPN’s NetShield shields you from unwanted ads, malware, and trackers. Also, part of its security features includes Tor over VPN, in-built leak protection, and a Kill Switch.

You can use ProtonVPN on several operating systems by installing any of its open-source native applications or manually installing the software. It has a free plan and guarantees a refund within 30 days of subscription on other plans.

  • Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
  • Lowest price: €4

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN devices

Features

  • Killswitch Yes
  • iOS App Yes
  • Data logging No

Pros/Cons

  • Servers in 63 countries
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256
  • App can seem complicated
Visit PrivateVPN

Sweden-based PrivateVPN has been in the VPN industry for more than a decade. It is present in 60 countries and has over 200 servers in its server fleet. Its modest server network will help you circumvent geo-restrictions and censorship in several regions of the world.

PrivateVPN’s global server network provides solid and rapid connections, ensuring that its users are satisfied with the service they get. Despite its host country being a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, PrivateVPN does not store its users’ connection logs. It also offers its customers a cryptocurrency payment option so they can stay anonymous.

This long-time service provider supports several VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec. PrivateVPN uses military-grade encryption together with perfect forward secrecy to secure data that moves through the VPN tunnel. As a user, you have the option of using a Kill Switch to prevent accidental IP leaks and a Stealth Mode to ensure obscurity.

You can get a PrivateVPN subscription plan at a bargain if you take advantage of the heavy discounts it offers. Also, you can use it on several devices, but only on six at the same time.

  • Pros: Servers in 63 countries; 30-day money-back guarantee; 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256;
  • Lowest price: €2.04

HideMyAss

HideMyAss devices

Features

  • Speeds: 20 Gbps
  • Money-back guarantee: Yes
  • Activity logs? No
  • Locations: 190+ countries

Pros/Cons

  • Best server database on the market
  • No-logs and kill switch policy
  • Multiple device protection
  • Expensive short term plan
Visit HideMyAss

HMA’s presence in over 200 countries worldwide is remarkable. It has over a thousand servers spread across almost 300 separate locations that users can connect to at any moment. Apart from being secure, its modern servers are why its users access several geo-blocked contents worldwide.

Performance might not be as vital as security, but it can determine if you’ll stick to a VPN or not. HMA has secure servers that provide quick connections. It also has servers optimized for torrenting and streaming. Its transparent No-Log Policy prevents the UK government from accessing the connection logs of its users.

HMA’s all-around security features make it a viable option for users that need robust security. Presently, it only offers security protocols such as OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. OpenVPN is preferred because it is more secure than the others. HMA has private DNS servers, Split Tunneling, and a Kill Switch. In addition, it offers protection against DDoS attacks.

With user-friendly applications and easy-to-read manual installation guides, you can use HMA on several devices. Its 30-day money-back guarantee gives you the leeway you need to use it to check if it meets your security needs.

  • Pros: Best server database on the market; No-logs and kill switch policy; Multiple device protection;
  • Lowest price $2.99

CyberGhost

CyberGhost devices

Features

  • Connected devices at once: 7
  • Automatic kill switch? Yes
  • One click connect: Yes
  • Servers: 5900 worldwide

Pros/Cons

  • No logs policy
  • 24/7 live chat
  • Apps for mobile devices and routers
  • No free option
Try CyberGhost

Romania-based CyberGhost runs an extensive server network that reaches an impressive 89 countries. CyberGhost’s over 6700 servers make bypassing geo-blocked sites a seamless process. It has streaming and P2P-optimized servers that are faster than its regular servers. Also, you can utilize CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers as they offer additional security compared to other servers.

You can depend on CyberGhost to give you reliable speed, but it depends on your rate before connecting to the VPN and the distance to the server you use. Running on only volatile storage media, CyberGhost keeps to its strict No-Log Policy. In addition, it is in a privacy-friendly territory and releases a transparency report regularly.

CyberGhost’s Kill Switch and in-built leak protection prevent leaks that can lead to anyone knowing your IP address. Plus, it keeps your data secure with 256-bit encryption and secure protocols like WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. CyberGhost also offers a Split Tunneling and Tor over VPN feature.

Allowing seven simultaneous connections per subscription account, CyberGhost puts into consideration people with multiple devices. Furthermore, it supports many operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Finally, it has heavy discounts on subscription plans you can benefit from.

  • Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
  • Lowest price: €2

What To Consider Before Selecting a VPN for Security

Below, we look at things that should influence your choice when selecting a VPN for security.

1. Security and Privacy

As the title suggests, there is no other thing that is as vital as security. Attacks by malicious entities are becoming more sophisticated. It is only right that the VPN service you use has solid security and privacy features. Features such as 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, in-built leak protection, an adblocker, secure VPN protocols, etc., are crucial in ensuring malicious entities cannot penetrate your online security perimeter. So, look thoroughly through the security features the VPN service provider has. 

2. Money-Back Guarantee

Some VPN services promise heaven and earth but fail to deliver. Sometimes it is too late when people discover a VPN service cannot deliver what they promise, especially if they are on a long-term subscription. To avoid such from happening to you, always ensure that the VPN service you use has a refund policy. In addition, make sure the refund policy is not a shady one. 

Conclusion

It is essential that a VPN’s security features are good enough to keep bad actors away. The VPNs above have proved to be more than just security conscious, as they have other features that you can use to your advantage. If you’re unsure which one to use, you can test them all as they have risk-free periods that will cost you nothing.