Don't worry. We're not going to even attempt to explain the intricacies of the cryptocurrency market. What we will say is that crypto wallets, exchanges, and trading platforms can be dangerous places to navigate. Hackers frequently populate these services, looking for an opportunity to take possession of your most prized property. Scary stuff, right?
So what can you do to protect yourself against these undercover agents? Simple: You can invest in a VPN. These cybersecurity services protect your data and hide your identity when you're online. They also help provide protection for your assets when you're using cryptocurrency platforms.
There are plenty of impressive VPNs that would make a perfect partner for anyone looking to enter into the world of crypto trading and payments, but which service is right for you? It's not an easy question to answer, but we'll give it a try.
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide vital protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address, making all of your activity untraceable and secure. We know it's not a simple concept. It can be helpful to think of VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Do you need a VPN for cryptocurrency trading?
Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. There's no need to panic, because whether you're investing in a new cryptocurrency, using your favourite crypto wallet, or paying with coins, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.
It's really all about providing another layer of online protection against hackers. The best crypto VPNs secure your online activity, meaning your prized assets are protected from hackers looking to make a quick profit.
What are the most important VPN features to consider?
There is a long list of things you should consider before investing in a VPN, but we know you've got other things to do. To speed up the process, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things offered by the best VPNs. Before you make any sort of decision, you should consider connection speed, server network, number of logins, security features, and privacy policy:
- Connection speed — Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. Make sure you select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't use cryptocurrency platforms without disruption.
- Number of connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Prioritise services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can stay secure on all your devices at the same time.
- Server network — The best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for investing your favourite coins.
- Privacy policy — You need to pay special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. These practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't, you should avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your VPN of choice should not store these details as that would make the whole anonymity and privacy thing redundant.
- Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously massively important when navigating cryptocurrency platforms because you need to know that your assets are secure.
There are other things you should consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start your shopping process.
Should you use free VPNs?
The big question when it comes to VPNs is whether you should consider free services. We're all looking to get the best deal, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with these cybersecurity services.
There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. There does tend to be a catch with free versions however, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this simply isn't going to work. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
With all of this in mind, the best option for securely accessing and using cryptocurrency platforms is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to pay up.
What is the best VPN for crypto?
We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for cryptocurrency trading and payments. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list.
These are the best VPNs for crypto in 2024.
NordVPN
Best For Security
- Monthly: £10.39/month
- One-year plan: £3.99/month
- Two-year plan: £3.19/month
Read our full review of NordVPN.
NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.
NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
- Monthly: £10.89/month
- Six-month plan: £6.19/month
- Two-year plan: £1.92/month
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.
CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.
Private Internet Access
Best For Server Network
- Monthly: £10.99/month
- Six-month plan: £5.39/month
- Two-year plan: £1.69/month
Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.
You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.
It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either.
PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.
Surfshark
Best For Multiple Devices
- Monthly: £9.90/month
- One-year plan: £3.05/month
- Two-year plan: £1.76/month
Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.
Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.
Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.
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