The Independent tests VPNs by first acknowledging the immense trust users must place in these services, as VPNs route all online activity through their servers. A compromised VPN can be dangerous, leading to malware infections, data logging, ad injection, or even data sales. To combat these risks, The Independent employs a rigorous testing process conducted by tech and security journalists.
The testing involves hands-on, real-world usage of VPNs over several weeks across multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Ease of installation and setup is also evaluated.
A core aspect of the review focuses on security and privacy. This includes verifying no-logs policies and their independent audit backing, investigating company ownership and history, checking for robust encryption like AES-256, ensuring a reliable kill switch, and testing features like split tunneling, multi-hop routing, ad blocking, and RAM-only servers.
Speed and stability are assessed using WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols across various server locations, with tests conducted at different times of day to ensure consistent performance for browsing, streaming, and gaming. This is revisited monthly to track any changes.
Ease of use is paramount, with an evaluation of app intuitiveness, connection speeds, server switching ease, and accessibility of advanced features for both novice and tech-savvy users. The testing also checks for excessive upselling.
Furthermore, VPNs are tested for their ability to access geo-restri... download the app to read more
Follow top global news sources, read AI-powered summaries, ask AI your questions, translate news into your language, and join live chats — all with YoyoFeed!
