#1. Choose VPNs With Free Trials

Before fully committing to a VPN service, it's always a good idea to test its features and assess its performance. Many reputable VPN providers offer free trials, allowing potential users to evaluate the service's speed, server locations, and security protocols.

These trials are often designed to give you an understanding of what you'd get with a premium subscription. It's a way for users to ensure compatibility with their devices, check the VPN's impact on Internet speed, and confirm the ease of use of the interface.

#2. Watch Out For Poor Encryption

The VPN works by sending your data encrypted through a virtual tunnel and decrypting it on the server side. Using a strong encryption protocol and a long encryption key is essential for keeping your data secure while it travels through the Internet.

Although AES encryption with 256-bit key or more should be standard for any VPN, there are still many services that provide only 128-bit keys. Other strong VPN ciphers to look for are Twofish or Camellia. Look out for Perfect Forward Secrecy as well; not many VPN services provide this essential security feature.

#3. Beware Of Snitching

VPN services encrypt your data while it travels through the Internet, but it is still technically possible for the service provider to access it as it is being decrypted on the VPN server.

Most, if not all, VPN companies claim they do not keep logs or track the user activity, but the news often reveals otherwise. Many small VPN services have been known to help law enforcement agencies by providing such logs on user data.

Choosing a VPN service audited by an independent third-party organization ensures that your browsing activity remains secure and untracked.