A virtual private network allows you to create a more private connection between your computer and the internet over any network -- whether that's public Wi-Fi at an airport, your mobile carrier's network or your own home network -- by creating an encrypted tunnel through which your browsing information is sent. While VPNs can't make you entirely anonymous, they are a cornerstone technology for improving your digital privacy. They can protect your browsing from intrusive data collection of your internet service provider, help shield you from many forms of mass domestic surveillance, and can particularly improve your security against malicious actors while logging into online accounts in public. 

As the use of commercial VPNs rises sharply, and competition between companies grows fierce, the need for critical, objective evaluation has become paramount. We're constantly improving our VPN review process with the help of your feedback, new testing methods and advances in technology. Here's how we review them now.