Everyone who surfs the web is a potential victim to malware, hacking, network or PC intrusion. Users normally enable the standard protection schemes like firewalls, NAT, intrusion detection software and the like. Many times these protection attempts will do, but only if the hackers don't want to bother with you. However, you can take other measures to protect yourself while on the Internet. Think of a VPN as a tunnel through the internet. The people on either end of the tunnel share a "key" to unlock the data traveling through the tunnel.
Why use a VPN Service?
The main scenario in the Western world is Wifi use in a coffeeshop or hotel. Users in these settings may not want to expose their bank or email passwords to neighboring users at these locations. VPN provides a secure way to access the web from public access points.
Another scenario involves persons who are traveling abroad where the country may have a restrictive Internet filter policy. VPN can provide users with a way to bypasst the blockade of Internet services.
Finally, you might want a VPN if you wanted to hide your IP address, like if you wanted to do Google searches without Google recording what you looked at.
There are other technologies available such as web proxies and Tor, but VPN combines the benefits of an encrypted connection to the internet with IP address anonymity and a fast amount of bandwidth. So here are some VPN programs that will allow you to hide your presence.
ibVPN
This program comes in several versions, freeware, premium, and multiple. You can surf the Web invisibly and securely without leaving a trace and without being tracked. What is also important is that all the programs installed on your computerwill automatically work via VPN so users have a high level of security and anonymity is provided. There are two protocols PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) and OpenVPN, but OpenVPN is more secure.
Hostizlle VPN
This service has two plans Free and Paid Plan. The Free plan provides basic access with bandwith 100GB per month and all ports are open. The paid plan has expanded access and supports 1000GB per month it also has 1Gbps port and all ports are open. The paid plan is $4.00 per month.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network between your laptop or iPhone and their Internet gateway. This tunnel prevents the usual suspects i.e., snoopers, hackers, ISP's, from viewing your web browsing activities, instant messages, downloads, credit card information or anything else you send over the network. Hotspot Shield security application is free to download. It is not like the previous programs which is a service that you can use for free or in a paid plan. But it has adware.
[Download Link]
CyberGhost
This program is like HotSpot Shield, you can download the free application to make your VPN connection. Once you download and install the application, connect to the VPN service provider, create an account and you are able to surf invisibly.
[Download Link]
Summary
Surf at your own risk. That should be the mantra for anyone that is going around the world in 60 minutes or less. You don't know who are going to meet. You don't know if the website is looking for passersby to steal from or to entice you with "interesting" objects. So be careful who you are, and these programs will give you a chance to protect your self.
