There has recently been a prevailing sentiment within the security community that all personal VPN services are a waste of money, particularly because most websites these days use SSL. We've been in the personal VPN business for 12 years now, and the internet has evolved tremendously in this relatively short time. Twelve years ago, SSL may not have been universally implemented across websites, and your ISP might have provided you with a WiFi router using WEP encryption—a less secure standard. Much has changed since then, and we'd like to share some of the reasons why TorGuard VPN is worth the modest investment, and why you should consider it.
The article on Hacker News that inspired this blog post is titled "Personal VPN services are snake-oil." We would be the first to admit that there are indeed some dubious players in the VPN industry, but speaking for ourselves, we want to clarify that we are not snake oil salesmen and pride ourselves on avoiding gimmicky sales claims. It's akin to someone declaring, "All pillow salesmen sell snakeoil," and while some may indeed go overboard, awkwardly overselling fluff that solves your sleep problems, others legitimately offer a product with a valid use case. Just because some homeopathic websites hawk colloidal silver doesn't mean that Vitamin D supplements are without value. You get the point...
If they can afford to sponsor Pewdiepie, they should be doing something right? (wrong)
This argument perhaps holds some truth, as VPNs have often been oversold as a magic bullet, hawked by big-name influencers like Pewdiepie, with some providers even investing in TV commercials. Some larger VPN providers have been criticized for this approach and have recently started bundling VPN services with extras like cloud storage and antivirus to justify their value. But here at TorGuard, we take a different approach. We do not sell password protection, antivirus, or cloud storage; instead, we've focused on building a robust VPN and proxy service that appeals to both newcomers and advanced users for its ease of use and comprehensive features.
Our commitment is to provide a specialized service that prioritizes security and functionality over broad appeal and marketing gimmicks. This focus ensures that our users receive a quality, reliable VPN experience tailored to their needs, whether they're interested in securing their online activities or bypassing geo-restrictions.
Public WiFi Network Security
These days, public WiFi isn't nearly as perilous as it was ten years ago, but that doesn't mean you should forgo extra security measures, especially when using public networks. While implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) and ensuring that browsers run in HTTPS-only mode are critical practices, these measures may not fully encompass the security needed on less secure, public networks over which you have no control. In these instances, VPNs can still provide an essential layer of security that complements and enhances these existing protocols.
Unlike HTTPS, which only encrypts the content of your communications, a VPN encrypts all data traffic between your device and the VPN server. This not only covers your web browsing activities but also encrypts any app data and DNS queries, offering comprehensive protection against eavesdropping and data sniffing that are typical in public WiFi environments. Tools such as Wireshark, used to capture unencrypted traffic, are rendered ineffective against the robust encryption provided by a VPN.
While HTTPS and HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) protect against passive interception of your data, they are less effective against active network attacks, which can exploit network vulnerabilities to alter or intercept your data transmissions. A VPN secures your internet connection by routing your traffic through a protected server, drastically reducing the risk of such attacks. This secure tunnel prevents attackers from deploying tactics like session hijacking or HTTPS downgrading, which are common in public WiFi attacks. If you don't control the network access point, you can't be entirely sure that the router itself hasn't been compromised.
Security vulnerabilities are not exclusive to web browsers; other client applications on your device might not use secure protocols automatically. A VPN extends its protective capabilities to all internet traffic regardless of the protocol, ensuring that all data transmitted and received is securely encrypted. This is particularly important given the variety of attack vectors that exist beyond simple browser exploits.
While DNS over HTTPS (DoH) enhances privacy by encrypting DNS queries, it isn't universally supported across all browsers and can still leave gaps in your overall security posture. VPNs can fortify this aspect by routing DNS requests through encrypted tunnels, eliminating exposure to potential DNS spoofing or hijacking. Furthermore, VPNs mask your IP address, providing anonymity or the convenience of the same dedicated IP when traveling, while protecting against targeted attacks often initiated by identifying the IP address in a public setting.
Practical Benefits of a Kill Switch
TorGuard's client applications are equipped with a built-in kill switch that operates seamlessly without requiring any additional configuration from the user. This feature is engineered to immediately halt all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, ensuring that no data is transmitted over an unsecured connection. This function is particularly crucial in scenarios where maintaining privacy is essential, such as when using public WiFi networks or accessing sensitive information.
The kill switch is a critical safety net that protects against accidental data leaks. In the event of a VPN disconnection—possibly due to network issues, server downtime, or transition between networks—the kill switch activates. This prevents your device from defaulting to an unprotected internet connection, which could expose your personal data, browsing habits, and other sensitive information to cyber threats.
For those who regularly connect to the internet in public spaces or who handle confidential data, the kill switch ensures that their activities remain private and secure at all times. This added layer of security is especially beneficial in protecting against sophisticated cyber attacks that exploit brief moments of connectivity loss to intercept data.
Tor Onion Routing vs VPN for Privacy
One of the most cited drawbacks of using the Tor network is its slow performance. The onion routing mechanism, which directs internet traffic through a series of relays, significantly reduces the speed at which data is transferred compared to a VPN. This slowdown impacts not only general browsing efficiency but also the usability of services that require higher bandwidth, such as streaming videos or downloading large files. Additionally, the Tor network often triggers CAPTCHAs on many websites, adding to the inconvenience by requiring additional steps to access common services. This can be a significant deterrent for regular users, with platforms like Reddit potentially subjecting users to endless CAPTCHAs or denying access altogether when Tor IP addresses are detected.
While Tor offers robust anonymity and is particularly effective against local adversaries, it lacks the ease of use that comes with VPNs. VPNs are generally user-friendly, can be activated with minimal configuration, and offer a balance of security and simplicity. This makes VPNs a preferable choice for those who need reliable protection without compromising on internet speed or accessibility.
Moreover, despite its strengths in providing anonymity, Tor is not devoid of security vulnerabilities. These risks can be mitigated by using a VPN in conjunction with Tor. This setup not only adds an extra layer of encryption but also masks the use of Tor itself from local observers and ISPs—a crucial feature for users in environments where Tor usage might be frowned upon, penalized, or even blocked entirely. Using both technologies together enhances privacy and security, allowing users to leverage the unique benefits of each without being constrained by their individual limitations.
Built-in Adblocking over VPN
While ad blockers can prevent many forms of ads and tracking scripts, they do not protect against all forms of tracking. TorGuard VPN enhances this protection by incorporating an adblocking DNS option directly within our service. This feature not only assists in blocking ads but also thwarts trackers at the DNS level, significantly improving both privacy and security for our users.
By masking your real IP address—a primary target for advertisers and data brokers—TorGuard ensures that your online identity remains private and untraceable. This is a significant advantage that standalone ad blockers simply cannot match. Moreover, routing your internet traffic through a VPN server isolates your browsing from local threats and eavesdroppers, providing a secure environment for your online activities.
This integrated approach to ad blocking means that TorGuard users can enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more secure browsing experience without the need for additional software or plugins. It underscores our commitment to delivering a comprehensive security solution that protects against a wide range of online threats, making TorGuard an excellent choice for those seeking privacy, security, and efficiency.
NAT Firewall for Local Network, Routers, and IoT Devices
Even when you have full control over your internet access point, auditing every single device operating on your network may not always be feasible. This is where a NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall, as offered by TorGuard, becomes invaluable. While you can isolate devices on a guest network, vulnerabilities can still arise if someone under the same roof fails to update their operating system or if there's a less cautious user clicking on potentially dangerous links. In these cases, running a VPN tunnel with a NAT firewall on your local computer can isolate your device from potential exploits from other local devices by placing your connection behind the encrypted VPN tunnel.
Additionally, utilizing one of the many simultaneous VPN connections allotted on your WiFi router can help protect against unknown vulnerabilities on various IoT devices in your home. While we're not suggesting that anyone is using 'admin/admin' as their CCTV camera system credentials, even smart TVs, streaming boxes, routers, and home automation equipment can occasionally have vulnerabilities where local ports are found to be exploited from the outside. VPNs' NAT firewall feature offers peace of mind to the growing number of devices connected to your network by adding a second layer of security that blocks unauthorized access from the outside. Even if your smart TV has a vulnerable port, or if your router was unknowingly susceptible to remote code injection, the VPN tunnel's NAT firewall acts as the last line of defense that can effectively block an attack.
VPNs to Bypass Extreme Censorship
VPNs are widely used abroad for reasons that many Americans might take for granted: to bypass extreme levels of censorship and network filtering. While you might grumble about Comcast injecting ads into your traffic stream, this inconvenience pales in comparison to the censorship experienced by those trying to connect to the open web in parts of the Middle East or Asia. In these regions, governments go to great lengths to censor news, social media, and yes—even the Tor network.
TorGuard VPN offers a variety of protocols such as Stunnel, Wstunnel, Shadowsocks, and V2Ray, which are designed to bypass commonly seen VPN blocking methods. This enables users in high-risk areas to gain access to the real internet, free from the constraints imposed by local censorship. These tools are essential for those who need reliable access to uncensored information and wish to communicate freely without the risk of repercussions. By using these advanced protocols, TorGuard helps ensure that users can maintain their access to global perspectives and diverse voices that are often silenced in their own countries.
Dedicated IP VPN Convenience
It may come as a surprise to some, but not everyone uses shared IP VPN servers solely for anonymity—many utilize VPNs for enhanced privacy and security. While major ISPs like Charter and Comcast may offer a static IP for a hefty charge, TorGuard VPN provides dedicated and residential IP services at a fraction of the cost. One significant advantage of obtaining a static IP from your VPN service provider, rather than your ISP, is that it’s not only more affordable but also encrypted, and you can actually take it with you wherever you go.
Let's consider the public WiFi scenario for a moment and imagine that there were no inherent risks. Most public WiFi IPs are heavily used and abused by large numbers of users on a daily basis, making these IPs likely to cause issues as you log into various online services, switching from your home IP to a public one. The single most popular benefit of using a dedicated IP VPN is convenience. Not only can you carry VPN encryption with you wherever you travel, but as far as your online bank, Gmail, or work logins are concerned, you never went anywhere. This continuity ensures smoother access to services that might otherwise detect suspicious activity due to IP changes and adds an extra layer of predictability and safety to your online interactions.
Personal VPN vs DIY
Most of TorGuard's users are more tech-savvy than the average internet user, which is one of the key reasons they choose us over other options. Certainly, you could set up your own VPN server on a cheap VM provider, but then you'd have to contend with a single server location, poor IP quality, and the added responsibility of being your own VPN system administrator. This includes ensuring the server stays up to date with the latest security patches and configurations.
Moreover, if you're interested in using it for privacy, there won't be much of that since you're likely the only user on the server. In the event that the VM hosting service is compelled to take a snapshot and hand it over, your privacy could be severely compromised—essentially rendering the use of the VPN pointless.
Not only does TorGuard VPN cost less per month than a typical VPS, but it also offers access to over 50 server locations worldwide, thousands of servers, and a wide array of protocols. While you may not use all of them, the convenience, extensive features, and ease of use provided by TorGuard are key reasons why many tech-savvy users prefer our service over hosting their own VPN. This comparison underscores the value of a professionally managed VPN service, especially for those who prioritize reliability, performance, and privacy.
Personal VPNs are Here to Stay
We've got nothing against the article writer from Hacker News, and in fact, they make many really good points. While there are numerous "fluffy pillow" VPNs that oversell their services as a one-stop shop that saves the world, we hope you can see why TorGuard should not be included in that bunch. We are deeply committed to security, privacy, and an open internet, and we go out of our way to offer valuable services that even the most discerning computer nerd will find useful. For roughly the same price as a Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte ($5.45), you can get one month full access to TorGuard VPN, and that is indeed worth your money. Personal VPNs like TorGuard still offer essential security tools, and with TorGuard, you're investing in a service that genuinely prioritizes your online safety and freedom.
