My Review of Private Internet Access
I have written a couple of articles on whether you need a VPN (check it out here if you’re in doubt) and how to use one but as there are sooo many options how do you pick? so I thought I would post a review of the excellent VPN that I use and that’s Private Internet Access.
Why Do i Need Private Internet Access?
So, to quickly recap, the benefits of a VPN are:
- Your ISP ( or anybody else) can snoop in on your internet activity
- Your speed can’t be choked if you do a lot of streaming or other high-usage devices
- No Geographic Stream restrictions
- More secure connection
But Why ‘Private Internet Access’ ?
The initial draw for me was the fact I could connect unlimited devices to Private Internet Access without extra charge, in my research I found many would only allow 7,5 or in some cases just 1 device, which let’s face it, isnt worth the lecky it would use to download it in the first place.
Installation
If you can download and install a game then you can download this easy. it auto installs, totally basic stuff.
Set Up
Again, really easy, just run the set up file, open up the app you can then select what server you want your connection to ghost from.
A point to remember is that, the further away you are from the sever that you have selected, the slower your connection will be.
This is the screen you get to select the server you want your data to go through
Performance and Use .
There is a slight slowdown in download speeds, but remember that’s the price you’ll pay for bouncing your data worldwide to be encrypted. Cnet reckons you’ll see slowdowns of 50% ( check here) but I tested my connection with the VPN on and off and I got no more variation than you would doing a dozen speed checks over an hour, check my speed check data:
This picture shows a speed test on my phone with the Private internet access switched off (note the red ❌) 107 mbps download.
Here I have switched on Private Internet Access. (Green Tick ✅) There is a slight slow-down but at 107MB A 6mb drop isn’t going to make much difference is it? and it’s certainly no where near cnets claims of 50%!!!
Here’s the setting screen, all nice and simple no Nasa jargon, here private internet access’s awesome ad/malware blocker is activated, which is amusingly called PIA Mace, ( under the privacy tab) as sometimes i’d like to squirt pepper spray at Ad creators!!
Conclusion
For me the biggest downside to having a VPN is the possibility of detrimental speeds, we have all become so demanding when it comes to internet speeds, remember the little blue line that you used to watch whilst waiting for a page to load?? When i read the post on cnet stating a 50% speed drop I thought, there’s no way i could handle that much, and after testing a couple of rivals, i did notice a drop in speed that would be enough for me to delete to VPN and never go there again! But with Private Internet Access the drop is so minimal you’d hardley notice it, so the main objection has been answered.
We all have a world of devices to connect and as streaming becomes ever more popular, to have a VPN to protect your connection as well as having dedicated streaming-optimised servers, this seems a no-brainer to me, Did I think I needed one before my free trial? NO! Would I spend less than 6 coffees a month on a piece of software to protect my internet security, prevent speed chokes and shield my privacy? Damn right, I would!!
Click this button for a free 30-day trial of Private Internet Access today
