If you’re looking for a VPN, chances are that you value the security and privacy of your data and personal information.
The fact of the matter is, however, that not all VPN providers offer the same amount (and type) of security - some have absolutely amazing safety in place, while others undermine safety and concentrate on the “additional feature” department. Today, we’ll try to figure out the most secure VPN to use in 2023.
Here’s a quick rundown of the top 7 contenders for this list. We’ll go further in-depth with each one of them, as soon as we establish a clear idea of what the “safest VPN” actually means.
So, without further, let's get straight into it, shall we?
What Does the Most Secure VPN Look Like?
Before we actually get into the “Most secure VPN” review, we should define what a secure VPN actually looks like.
First of all, data encryption. The VPN industry has tons of various different choices when it comes to the way that VPNs encrypt your data. However, as with every other aspect, there’s an industry standard - tools (not only the ones that relate to data encryption, but with everything else, too) that are considered to be the best out of the best.
When it comes to encrypting your information, that would be AES 256-bit encryption together with the OpenVPN protocol.
AES 256-bit data encryption is used by the safest VPNs (and even some of the most secure free VPNs) out there. It is a virtually unbreakable system, and an upgrade to the still-often-used AES 128-bit.
OpenVPN is an open-source (that’s important!) software designed for safe peer-to-peer connections on specific networks. It ensures that the information that you send and receive is protected and secure - this is crucial for people who like to torrent files and participate in other, similar file-sharing activities.
Another important point when we’re talking about the best VPN for privacy is the “no data logging” policy.
Whenever a VPN logs your data, it tracks all of the things that you do online while you’re connected to the VPN. Whether it be your browsing history, your purchases or sales, your IP and other personal information - anything and everything can be logged by the service provider.
There are two things that can happen with your information afterwards - it can either be sold off to advertising agencies or handed over to the government.
Data logging is an extremely serious topic and an almost unforgivable offense in the VPN industry. This means that, if you’re looking for the most secure VPN, you should look at providers who do not track any of your sensitive information (some logging, like the one used for technical support or billing information, is normal).
Finally, we have the DNS, IP and WebRTC leaks. A very common issue in the VPN world, these leaks mean that, while you’re using the VPN, third parties (i.e. your internet service provider) can see your activities (in other words, the VPN becomes ineffective).
So, the criteria for the “most secure VPN of 2023” are pretty simple: no data logging, no leaks (DNS, IP or WebRTC) and it has to use the most advanced form of data encryption. With that said, let’s take a look at the very first contender on the list.