What does VPN mean? Everything you need to know about Virtual Private Networks, and why it matters

What does VPN mean?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network: a secure and private network that’s achieved using encryption over a public network. By using a VPN, users can ensure that their internet activity, including the sites they visit and the location they are accessing them from, is secure and protected.

For those who value privacy when browsing online, using a VPN is essential, especially if you regularly connect to public networks, handle confidential information, access UK sites from abroad, or want to get items cheaper by connecting to a server in another country.

Should I get a VPN?

In a world of continuing online checks and surveillance by internet service providers (ISP), a VPN might become an invaluable tool to protect your privacy and ensure that the sites that you visit and where from is secure and encrypted.

The good news about most VPNs is that they have strict security protocols to ensure no one can access any information about the sites you visit, as well as no-logs policies as standard.

Most premium VPNs have become so quick and fast that they also have no impact on internet speeds, can connect to multiple devices and can even be configured to be set up to your router so every single smart device is protected within your home.

However, it’s very, very important to get a premium VPN service to ensure that your internet speeds and data are protected. Experts have previously warned internet users to avoid free VPNs, especially as many premium VPN plans cost as little as 8p a day.

Which VPN should I get?

There are plenty of VPNs to choose from – but there’s one that tops our list when it comes to price and performance. ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN providers on the market right now, costing as little as 6p a day on its two-year plans.

ExpressVPN offers lightning-fast connections on up to 10 devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android and much more. Users will also enjoy their choice of over 3,000 servers worldwide, including a dedicated location in every US state. There's also its top-tier post-quantum encryption — a feature that sets ExpressVPN apart from its competitors.

ExpressVPN will also bundle four months of extra access at no cost — so you'll be able to encrypt and secure your connection for 28 months without paying any more than a two-year plan.

And if you’re not happy, it includes a quibble-free 30-day guarantee on all of its subscriptions. With 24/7 customer support, you'll be able to talk to someone from any time zone to get a full refund if you're unhappy with the experience on your devices.

ExpressVPN also uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit keys – also known as AES-256. It’s the same encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government and trusted by security experts worldwide to protect classified information.

ExpressVPN recently unveiled the biggest shake-up to its subscriptions in 16 years earlier this summer. It ditched its one-size-fits-all approach in favour of three price plans: Basic, Advanced, and Pro.

The decision to offer different plans enables this award-winning VPN to be more competitive. Basic subscribers spending just 6p a day to access ExpressVPN will still benefit from its core VPN features.

For those who want to invest a little more, Advanced subscribers who pay £2.79 a month will benefit from its Keys password manager, plus three days of unlimited mobile data to use anywhere on the planet via an eSIM plan courtesy of Holiday.com.

There’s also its Pro subscription for £4.39 a month, which includes everything from the more affordable tiers, plus 5 days of eSIM data and monthly credit reports. There’s even a dedicated IP address that is exclusive to you and private, which even ExpressVPN can’t trace back to you.

The device limit also increases to 14, and you'll receive up to 75% off Aircove routers, which run ExpressVPN software so that every device connected to Wi-Fi is secured via VPN.

There’s also a whole host of other VPN services around including NordVPN and Cyberghost VPN, offering similar services to ExpressVPN. Check our round-up of the best VPN deal to find the ultimate subscription for your needs.