A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your online data and sends it through a tunnel, redirecting your Internet connection from your ISP’s server to your own. This way, you remain hidden on the Internet and snoops cannot track your online activities, much less steal your information to use against you.
Now, the best VPNs do more than just keep you protected online: you can also use them to enhance your gaming experience, watch live sports, download torrents safely, maximize your bandwidth, and bypass geo-restrictions and content blocks to access to restricted films. , TV shows, game sales and more.
However, there are too many VPN providers on the market, so how do you find the one that best suits your needs? That’s where the experts at Jugo Mobile (who test VPNs day after day!) come in. We’ve leveraged their experience and expert opinions to put together this comprehensive VPN beginner’s guide. We’ll tell you how to set up a VPN, if it’s worth it, what are the 3 best VPNs to get, and how you should choose a VPN.
How VPNs keep you safe online
A VPN keeps you anonymous on the Internet by masking your IP address (your device’s digital signature) by routing your Internet traffic through one of its many remote servers around the world, and not your actual location.
IP masking, combined with the VPN’s ability to encrypt your data as it travels through a secure tunnel to its destination, makes it impossible for nearby hackers, websites that use cookies, your service provider Internet (ISP), hotspot operator (if you’re on Wi-Fi that’s not yours), and even governments to track your online activities.
Almost all high-quality VPN providers come with security features, such as a kill switch and leak protection. A kill switch is an essential part of the security aspect of a VPN, as it blocks your device’s Internet access if the VPN connection drops (due to a weak Wi-Fi signal, a server issue, a network overloaded, etc.). This way, it protects you from accidentally revealing your real IP address and online activities to prying eyes.
Depending on your needs, you can also look for VPNs that offer split tunneling, whereby you can decide what part of your Internet traffic is routed through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel and what part passes as normal Internet traffic.
However, despite everything a VPN brings to the table from a security standpoint, it cannot prevent malware, viruses, or ransomware. If you are looking for comprehensive protection against all types of cyber threats, we recommend using an antivirus that comes with a built-in VPN or vice versa, such as NordVPN, Surfshark and Micro Trendamong others.
How to set up a VPN
Here, we use ExpressVPN to demonstrate the process of setting up a VPN. Ideally, a good VPN for beginners will be easy to set up and provide detailed guides for installing and activating the VPN on each device, including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.
Start with sign up for ExpressVPN on their website after which you will be given an activation code. Next, download the VPN app for your particular device type (Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android) and enter the activation code when prompted.
It’s worth noting that we recommend downloading the VPN client directly from the provider’s website, as it will ensure that you don’t accidentally download a malicious copycat app.
Launch the ExpressVPN app and grant the system access permissions it requests; Don’t worry, it’s absolutely safe to do so. If you’re concerned about the app processing your data, there are also some non-essential permissions you can deny, such as the permission to send crash reports to help app development and the permission to send user data.
If you want to set up a VPN on a streaming device, you can follow the provider’s setup guide for your particular device. For example, ExpressVPN has complete guides for Samsung smart TVs, LG TVs, Apple TVs, and more. It’s also a top-rated PS4 VPN, Roku VPN, and Fire Stick VPN.
However, if your device, like Roku, doesn’t support Smart DNS or native VPN connections, you’ll have to take a slightly more complicated route and install the VPN on your router. Still, the best VPN for router (ExpressVPN is also our top pick here) comes with intuitive router apps and meticulously detailed guides to simplify the setup process.
How to use VPN to stream content online
Netflix, BBC iPlayer and almost all other streaming services offer different content catalogs in different locations and will even change which TV shows and movies are available in different regions’ catalogs, meaning you may not be able to access your favorites even if they are. Technically it is still available. For example, The Silence of the Lambs (previously available on UK Netflix) is now only available on Netflix in Canada; no other Netflix library has it.
The best VPNs can help you bypass geoblocks and access region-restricted movies and TV shows by changing your IP address to make it appear that you are physically present in the country whose content you want to watch (for which your chosen VPN must have a server there , physical or virtual).
All you have to do is sign up for the best streaming VPN (we recommend using ExpressVPN or NordVPN), launch the VPN app, connect to the server location of your choice, open the streaming site in your browser, and have fun watching your favorite . TV show or movie.
Similarly, you can also use VPN to bypass other content blocks. For example, China has banned Whatsapp and Australia and India have banned TikTok, so if you plan to travel to any of these places and want to access the platform of your choice, be sure to install a high-quality travel VPN. Additionally, VPNs also give you access to discounts on international game purchases and sales that may not be available in your region.
How to choose a VPN
One of the most important considerations when choosing a VPN as a beginner is the provider’s ease of use. It should have simple, no-nonsense apps, with one-click connectivity and a clearly laid out server list, and other settings should be easy to access as well.
Next, look for a VPN with fast and reliable connections. Good speeds mean that whether you’re using the VPN for gaming, streaming, or casual browsing, you won’t be bothered by annoying lags or buffering.
The number of servers under a provider’s belt is equally important: a well-distributed network of servers around the world will allow you to connect to and from anywhere, including hard-to-reach locations whose content you want to access.
Speaking of content, a VPN with powerful unblocking capabilities should be your priority if you want to stream your favorite movies, TV shows, and game titles that may be blocked in your region.
VPNs come in all shapes and sizes (and prices), so it’s crucial to strike a balance between the amount you’re willing to shell out and the features you absolutely want. Ideally, these features should include security essentials like a kill switch, leak protection, a strict no-logging policy, and strong encryption, as well as enough simultaneous connections so you can protect multiple devices.
Also, keep in mind that while high-quality free VPNs can give you a great idea of what VPNs are like, they are restricted for use and can be ineffective when you are trying to protect yourself.
Finally, make sure there are ample support options – 24/7 live chat, email, and/or phone – so you can always get help the moment you need it.
Best VPN for Beginners in 2024
We evaluated and compared dozens of VPN providers and prioritized factors like ease of use, customer support, price, and of course security to zero in on the 3 best VPN services for beginners.
Frequently asked questions about using a VPN
Are VPNs secure?
Yes, VPNs are generally safe to use. If you don’t want to second-guess your choice of a secure VPN, be sure to choose one from our list of the best VPN services – they all follow a strict no-logging policy and support the most secure protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN). , and IKEv2), offer industry-standard AES-256 encryption and come with security features like a kill switch and leak protection.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
In most countries around the world, using a VPN is legal as long as you use it for legitimate purposes, such as protecting your privacy. However, if you use a VPN for illegal activities, such as circumventing a game provider’s terms and conditions or downloading copyrighted content, it can be considered a crime regardless of your location.
It’s also worth noting that there are countries like North Korea, China, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Oman that do not allow VPNs to operate freely: they have banned all VPNs or only allowed government-approved providers.
Are VPNs easy to use?
Most of the leading VPN services, especially the best VPNs for beginners, are very easy to set up and use on multiple devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, and routers.
For example, our main recommendation ExpressVPN It features an intuitive one-click connection feature so you connect once and always stay protected. Plus, its proprietary Lightway protocol automatically chooses the best server and encryption for your needs.
What is the best VPN for beginners?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for beginners, thanks to intuitive interfaces and clean, simple designs across all of its clients. You get a one-click connect functionality where you simply tap the power button and you are instantly protected.
It also shows a list of suggested servers so you can quickly establish a fast and reliable connection, and its 24/7 customer support, which is always ready to help you in case you have any problems, is a Much-needed benefit that makes it a must-have for those new to VPNs.
How we test VPNs
To make sure we only recommend the best VPNs, the experts at Jugo Mobile get hands-on with each VPN provider (the popular ones and unpopular) approximately every 6 months, conducting a series of tests to evaluate its ease of use, performance, usability, security and value for money.
We follow our VPN testing methodology and start at the provider’s website where we evaluate their privacy claims and policies. Next, we install the vendor’s apps on all major operating systems (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux) and evaluate whether security essentials like the kill switch and leak protection work as advertised.
While we tinker with the apps, we also conclude whether the VPN is easy to use and good value for money, to evaluate whether we can recommend it to beginners.
Additionally, we also test VPN speeds across multiple devices, apps, and locations to get an accurate reading. Lastly, we put the provider’s unlocking capabilities under the scanner by launching multiple big-name streaming services like Netflix and Disney on it.
