These include open-source OpenVPN, SoftEther VPN, and WireGuard. But if you or your company really want to lock down your traffic, you must run your VPN server. The best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and SurfShark, are trustworthy. In particular, if you find a 'free' VPN, run - don't walk - away from it. That defeats the entire purpose of a VPN. When a VPN uses your DNS, then your ISP can still see where you're going. Still, others log your activities or use your own domain name servers (DNS). Some fake VPNs snoop on your traffic, while others don't always encrypt your traffic.

While your traffic is in this tunnel, no one can see where you're going or what you're doing. VPNs use encryption technologies, such as IP security (IPSec), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)/IPSec, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), and WireGuard to create a virtual encrypted 'tunnel' between your computer and a VPN server. Plus, we tell you whether free VPNs are worth trying. We tested the best VPN services - focusing on the number of servers, ability to unlock streaming services, and more - to determine a No. How the top VPNs compare: Plus, should you try a free VPN? If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.

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