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What is a VPN and which one should I use?

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You’ve likely heard the term VPN during various day-to-day conversations, but you may not be entirely aware of what one actually is.

A Virtual Private Network can act like a virtual passport, allowing you to connect to the server in the country where the sporting event you want to watch is being broadcast. You would then be able to sign up with the broadcaster in that country to watch the game.

However you use the Internet, GOAL has you covered with everything you need to know about VPNs. From what they are, to how they are used to access the Internet while in the UK, as well as the numerous benefits a VPN can provide you while spending time online.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It's a piece of technology that allows users to create secure and encrypted communication over an Internet connection. In short, it allows you to surf the web safely and keeps your identity, location and activity private.

This can be especially handy if a country you live in or are visiting has content restrictions or log in and ID requirements to access certain websites or streaming content.

The main benefit of a VPN is that it makes your time online a much more secure experience by encrypting your data. This makes you less susceptible to the dangers of online hackers and those who wish to steal your personal data.

There's also another benefit: Watching sporting events or specific streaming content that is restricted to certain countries due to broadcasting rights or laws.

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    How do VPNs work?

    In simple terms, a VPN builds a safe and secure tunnel from your device to the server you are accessing. This added layer of protection encodes the internet traffic so only your device and the server it is traveling to can understand it, thus making it incredibly useful for safety-conscious web surfers.

    No one, be it a hacker, ISP (Internet Service Provider), or any other outside party, can intercept and read your private data. 

    One of the biggest draws is that using a VPN makes it appear that your location is that of the VPN server rather than your own – hence the safety and privacy benefit the service provides.

    This can be handy when using public Wi-Fi to protect you from hackers and keep any private information secure. Because your IP address is hidden, it allows you to browse the web anonymously, too, making it very difficult for a third party to see your activity.

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  • The streaming appeal

    When it comes to accessing content in restricted global territories, having a VPN bypasses this roadblock, meaning you can begin to watch films or television shows that are only available in one specific country or region. This is known as circumventing geo-restricted content, allowing you to watch entertainment that anyone else in your home country would be prevented from.

    Geo-restricted content can apply to television channels, On-Demand content on streaming platforms such as Apple TV+ or Paramount+, and sporting events, like Sky Sports broadcasts of Premier League football. With a VPN, these types of restrictions would become a thing of the past.

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    Why should you use a VPN?

    Firstly, if you truly value your privacy, then this is a logical investment. It’s practical for all scenarios, whether you're at home and want reassurance that you are protected or out and about. 

    For those who travel extensively abroad, using a VPN can prove hugely practical. You can continue to watch various subscription services that would otherwise be inaccessible.

    While sceptics may be weary about using VPNs, they are extremely easy to navigate and are 100% legal in most countries. Peace of mind is what you’d get from using a service like NordVPN, a provider known for their strong encryption and overall efficiency. 

    To anyone unfamiliar with the world of VPNs, choosing one can be daunting. NordVPN, however, takes the stress out of researching and struggling to pick one. 

  • Selecting the best VPN

    NordVPN offers a complete package, so it's important to ask the following questions when picking your VPN.

    • What is the reputation of the network?

    • Does it offer service and access in my location?

    • How easy is it to use? Is its interface user-friendly?

    • How fast are the connection speeds?

    • Has the company got reliable customer support?

    • What does the VPN service cost? (Bear in mind that free ones tend to underperform and restrict compared to ones that charge. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.)

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    Why pick NordVPN?

    There are plenty of reasons why NordVPN is a popular choice with users all over the globe. 

    ✓ NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, and it offers apps for various computers and mobile devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV, and more.

    ✓ Currently, NordVPN offers more than 8,100 servers in more than 126 locations, including the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific regions, and Europe, giving customers several flexible options.

    ✓ Because availability is so widespread, you’ll always have a fast server at your fingertips.

    ✓ It’s a four-times audited no-logs service, giving customers further peace of mind regarding their privacy.

    ✓ NordVPN offers 24/7 customer service, with a support team on hand to help.

    ✓ It uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), making your data as secure as possible. 

    ✓ It provides specialty servers that increase user security and bypass various other restrictions.

    ✓ NordVPN uses Threat Protection Pro which offers stronger security beyond standard VPN protection. This means safer web browsing, it detects phishing and malicious websites, blocks ads and trackers, and knows when files are infected.

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    The best NordVPN deals

    NordVPN offers various deals based on three tiered packages, ranging from a one-off monthly subscription to two-year ones. Each subscription offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, various levels of cloud storage, and added security functions. Generally, the longer you commit, the more benefits you receive (and the more cost-efficient your monthly charges become). That said, some payment plans can cost more but provide additional support.

    Currently, you get a £20 gift card for Amazon when signing up to a Plus 2-year plan, and a £50 gift card when signing up to the Ultimate plan.

    Plan1-month plan1-year plan2-year plan
    Ultimate12.096.695.39
    Plus10.994.693.49
    Basic10.193.892.69