Cyberattacks are on the rise: Why now might be a good time to get a VPN

Online privacy is more important than ever. Reports on cyberattacks related to those in Russia war in Ukraine they are flooding the news and social media. Ukraine is under siege, not only by the Russian army, but also by hackers trying to paralyze it and isolate it from the world. Ara, cybersecurity professionals now they are asking Americans to increase their online protection as well.

The best products in this article:

Top rated VPN: ExpressVPN, $ 6.67 / month and more

Most popular VPN: NordVPN, $ 3.99 a month and up

The best budget VPN offer: Surfshark VPN, $ 2.49 a month and up

A few hours before the Russian invasion, Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center detected malicious software called “FoxBlade”, designed to target Ukraine’s digital infrastructure. Since then, criminals have tried to take control of the social media accounts of various Ukrainian military officers and public figures. Even Ukrainian civilians and private institutions in many sectors are now digital targets.

In Russia, Vladimir Putinthe administration has restricted access to civilians on Twitter and Facebook. This censorship has made it more difficult for anti-war groups as well as residents to organize or obtain reliable information.

As a result, demand for virtual private networks (VPNs) has skyrocketed in both countries. Internet users in Ukraine strive to protect themselves from cyberattacks while civilians in Russia try to evade restrictions and censorship. And with the United States, along with other countries imposing severe sanctions on Russia, cybersecurity professionals are urging Americans to rethink their online protection.

Help strengthen your security with a trusted VPN service. CBS Essentials has put together a selection of the top rated VPNs on the market. Whether you do a lot of online business or are one of the millions of Americans who use the Internet in their daily lives, one of these VPN services can give you an extra layer of digital security.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is software designed to protect your devices from cybercriminals and prying eyes. VPNs hide IP addresses and encrypt your Internet traffic, making it virtually impossible for snoops to know which sites you’ve been visiting and which data you’ve been transmitting.

VPNs are commonly used by those who transmit sensitive information. Some companies require that they be used by employees who work from home. People also use VPNs to increase their level of cybersecurity when using a public hotspot: public Wi-Fi networks are hunting ground for cybercriminals. And of course, people can use VPN to avoid government censorship, although in these countries, using a VPN in this way is often illegal.

Some people use VPN to circumvent regional restrictions on streaming sites and access Netflix’s full international library. While it is not illegal to do so, Netflix’s terms of use do not permit it.

5 VPNs that will help protect you from cyberattacks

There are many virtual private network services available, but these five are the best rated by industry reviewers and offer the best value for money.

ExpressVPN: $ 6.67 / month and up

ExpressVPN, acclaimed by many reviewers as the best VPN provider, is highly praised for its quality of service and coverage. ExpressVPN has a network of high-speed servers in 160 locations in 94 countries, providing users with reliable connectivity from most parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. With service plans currently starting at $ 6.67 a month, ExpressVPN offers the same encryption standard used by security experts and the U.S. government, as well as IP address masking, support for up to five simultaneous connections and responsive live chat support 24 hours a day. Comes with a 30-day risk-free trial.

Service plans are currently starting at $ 6.67 a month. Right now, subscribers can get three months free if they opt for the 12-month plan. This saves 49%.

ExpressVPN, $ 6.67 / month and more

NordVPN: $ 3.99 a month and up

NordVPN is the most popular VPN service in terms of market share. With NordVPN, you get connection speeds of up to 6,730 Mbps, the same advanced encryption standard as ExpressVPN, as well as live chat support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and more than 5,100 servers in 60 countries. NordVPN has additional features such as a password manager, file encryption in the cloud, and 10 GB of private cloud storage that you can add to your plan. You can connect up to six devices at once.

NordVPN is offering up to a 60% discount on their one- and two-year plans right now, reducing the entry price to $ 3.99 a month. The service includes a 30-day money back guarantee.

NordVPN, $ 3.99 a month and up

Surfshark VPN: $ 2.49 a month and up

With the same advanced encryption standard as its more expensive rivals, Surfshark VPN is among the best values ​​on this list, ideal for budget-conscious users who want to reduce cost. While other services limit VPN usage to only five or six devices, Surfshark VPN protects an unlimited number. It only has 3,200 servers, less than NordVPN, but they are spread across more than 65 countries. Starting at $ 2.49 a month, this service also allows specific applications, websites, and real-time playback services to skip VPN for your convenience.

Surfshark offers an 81% discount on your two-year plan, or a 69% discount if you opt for a one-year commitment.

Surfshark VPN, $ 2.49 a month and up

Private internet access: $ 2.03 / month or more

Private Internet access VPN service is a good value if you are willing to commit to a three-year plan. The network is optimized for 10 Gbps and has more than 35,000 servers spread across 84 countries. It uses open source VPN applications and protocols such as WireGuard for encryption. Plans include coverage for up to 10 devices simultaneously, plus a dedicated IP address and an email default monitor. Private internet access provides 24-hour chat support 7 days a week if you need assistance.

Commit to a three-year plan and get an 80% discount, plus a free year of Boxcryptor service for encrypting files in the cloud.

Private internet access, $ 2.03 / month or more

CyberGhost VPN: $ 2.29 a month and up

With more than 7,500 servers in 91 countries and ultra-fast speeds competing with ExpressVPN and NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN is definitely in the conversation when it comes to the best VPN of 2022. The company’s plans include the same high standard. 256-bit. AES encryption as the most expensive providers, as well as automatic Wi-Fi protection and simultaneous support for up to seven devices.

CyberGhost VPN, $ 2.29 a month and up

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In:
• Cybercrime
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Ukraine
• Russia
• Cyberattack