Apr 26, 2024 | Updated: 11:35 AM EDT
May 29, 2019 10:26 AM EDT
2019 is the year of the Android phone. Android fanatics are enjoying more features than ever before such as sleek, waterproof designs, larger displays, and multiple cameras. From Pixel 3's Android 9 Pie Software and the in-screen fingerprint sensor on the OnePlus6T to Samsung Galaxy S 10' superior construction, Android phones deliver an impressive performance.
However, with all the new tech features and benefits, users still need to protect their phones from hackers, ISPs and other entities. This is why the demand for dependable VPNs has grown significantly over the last few years. VPN providers continue to develop VPNs that are as attractive as the phones they are designed to protect.
Why are VPNs more popular than ever, and why do Android users need them?
One of the frustrations that users around the world often encounter is blocked content. There are several reasons why content is blocked. For instance, some countries fall under heavy censorship imposed by their governments. In other countries, Internet service providers (ISPs) may decide what they want users to see online. Still, in other countries, some streaming services are banned - for whatever reason.
A hugely popular and best android VPN in the market, Surfshark, allows users to bypass restrictions and blocked content. Therefore, users have access to a wide range of content such as:
Torrents
Websites
Netflix
BBC iPlayer
Video games
Amazon
News outlets
User can finally enjoy this otherwise unavailable content.
One of the greatest challenges that Android users face when surfing the internet (or going anywhere else online) is visiting their favorite without being tracked. These days, it seems like every entity out there has a stake in where a person goes online. Government agencies, marketing companies, ISPs, hackers, and social engineers all attempt to follow a user's digital footprint in the hopes of either ceasing activity or gaining from it.
VPN developers counter these entities by creating making a user's online activity untraceable. Android users can install a VPN on their phone, turn it on, and mask their activity no matter where they use the phone. They have the same level of privacy in an unsecured wireless network as they do a secure wireless network. This makes VPNs a valuable part of any Android phone. Company's such as Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN offer unparalleled privacy, leak detection, and a zero-logs policy that makes all online activity completely untraceable.
Users can now download and upload files, visit torrents, go to websites, or watch streaming surface without being detected.
The best thing about VPNs is that developers add multiple layers of protection to ensure that nothing gets in or out of the private network. One of the most vital layers is encryption. What is encryption? It is the process of encoding data and scrambling it so that it is not readable or intelligible. Encryption data is given an encryption key that gives only authorized users access to the data. The key can be in the form of a password or other type of code.
In messaging (IM, email, etc.), encryption is often identified as user-to-user. In other words, both a sender and a receiver are protected from cyber-attacks or hacking. A sender can submit a scrambled message that passes through a secure VPN tunnel and then safely reaches the recipient. Some of the best VPNs on the market today such as Cyberghost, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN use AES 256-bit military-grade encryption to provide the best protection for subscribers.
Users who have never added a VPN to their Android may worry that the VPN will not work if they travel to another country. While it is true that low-end VPNs are limited in their protection features, reputable providers can provide adequate privacy.
For instance, Surfshark continues to add more servers to its VPN service. They currently have over 800 servers in over 50 countries worldwide. Other companies such as NordVPN and PrivateVPN offer over 3,000 services in over 90 countries. Having hundreds of servers is vital for several reasons:
The VPN provider can guarantee user privacy.
Users have access to websites and streaming services or other blocked content.
The Android phone can still provide fast Internet while the VPN is working.
VPN providers are connected to user accounts to provide quick 24/7 customer service
VPN providers can monitor activity to keep users safe.
Therefore, a VPN should have several hundred servers - at least 500 or more - to provide adequate protection, fast service, and excellent customer service no matter where a person travels.
Gamers, movie addicts, music enthusiasts, and techies all love torrents. These are P2P platforms where people can share and access digital files of various formats for personal use. While torrents are great for sharing files, they can create a high level of risk for users. The most significant risk is a person compromising their privacy and giving away their identity.
VPNs solve this dilemma by masking a person's identity, hiding their IP address, and making their activity untraceable. Therefore, they can visit a torrent platform, upload and download data, and leave the torrent without compromising their privacy.
Keep in mind, that not all VPNs allow torrent access because of their high risk. However, if a VPN such as Surfshark does allow torrent access, it means that the developer has created the highest level of privacy and security so that users can visit torrents safely. This is a great feature to have in an Android VPN.
There are also dozens of other features available on VPNs. They are easy to set up and use. Most companies offer 24/7 customer support. The top VPNs do not keep any records of user activity. And, they provide high-level encryption. Many providers offer a 30-day money back guarantee for the product and the service.
Some companies like Surfshark even offer a Whitelister feature and a clean web format that allows users to avoid malware & phishing attempts. The most important thing to remember about VPNs is that they are an essential app for Android users who browse online, use streaming services, or try to access otherwise blocked content. They provide that added layer of protection so that Android users can have peace of mind no matter where they go online.
