The Best Free VPN for Chrome: Quickly Access Any Website From Anywhere

The landscape of the Internet has changed dramatically over the past decade. Cybercrime has seen year-on-year increases, while the advent of data-driven business has meant that our users’ online activities are being monitored more closely than they ever have been before. Furthermore, to cap it all off, the world wide web has become a much more fractured place for users.

The decisions of governments and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) around the world have seen geo-restrictions proliferate. This is now a pressing concern for modern internet users, who increasingly find themselves unable to access certain websites due to blocks imposed upon their geographical location. Unfortunately, it looks as though this trend is unlikely to come to an end any time soon, so users have sought solutions in software. Virtual private networks have experienced a surge in popularity as a result, leading to a boom in the industry.

But just what is it that VPNs do, and how can you go about finding the right one for you?

What is a VPN?

In order to find the right VPN for you, it’s good to have an understanding of how a virtual private network, or VPN, works.

A VPN is an application that helps you to browse the internet securely by turning an unsecured connection into a secure one. It creates a tunnel for your data, then redirects your internet traffic through a remote server. As it does this, a VPN will encrypt your data, protecting it from exploitation at the hands of cybercriminals.

At the same time, a VPN can conceal your IP address while you browse the Internet. This means that internet service providers (ISPs) cannot see what you’re doing while online. Moreover, since a VPN redirects your traffic, it allows you to change your location to a region of your choice so that you can bypass any potential geo-restrictions that you might encounter while browsing from home.

In this sense, VPNs are a convenient security and privacy solution for all modern internet users. Moreover, there is a wide variety of options available, so there is no reason not to utilize one.

How to choose the best VPN

If you’re unaccustomed to using a VPN, then it’s a free VPN is a great starting point for you. By shortlisting your options according to the following categories, you can find the best free VPN for Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge:

Server locations

If your primary reason for using a VPN is to bypass geo-blocking and have more freedom online, then server locations is something that you should place a high value on when choosing one. Nowadays, there is a multitude of different sites that could be blocked depending on what country you’re in, so it’s helpful to have options. 

When comparing free VPN options, it’s advisable to settle on one that provides servers in many different parts of the world. This way, you can always change to another region if you experience a block on the server you’re currently using. As a result, you can browse from anywhere in the world, secure in the knowledge that you retain complete digital freedom.

Server count

While online freedom may be your main consideration, it certainly won’t be your only concern. Convenience is at the heart of what makes the Internet so useful, so naturally, you won’t want to compromise on performance. As such, you should also take server count into consideration.

When browsing free VPNs, it’s worth looking into the server count of the provider. Those with more servers at their disposal are generally better equipped to offer more bandwidth, which equates to better connection speeds.

Security

Last, but certainly not least, you should always factor security into your decision. While it may be good to have a VPN extension that comes with high speeds and plenty of server locations, it’s important to find an option that can also safeguard your cybersecurity while online.

In this regard, it’s a good idea to do some research on the different types of encryption available. Encryption processes can differ between VPN solutions and offer varying levels of security. Choosing a VPN with comprehensive end-to-end encryption will ensure that you stay safe while you browse your favorite sites.

Conclusion

The Internet is becoming a more and more difficult place for users to navigate. With geo-restrictions becoming increasingly commonplace and cybercrime rising, you need to protect yourself and preserve your freedom online. Installing a free VPN for your browser is a simple and cost-effective way to do this. Using the above categories to guide your selection process, you can find the perfect VPN for you, allowing you to access any site from anywhere without spending anything.