Content that is region-locked, such as sporting events or Netflix movies that are available in some countries but not in others, can be viewed with a VPN because the service spoofs your location. They’re also a handy way to spoof your location for less serious needs. VPNs are often used by journalists or people living in countries with restrictive policies toward the internet. This protects your real identity as you browse the Web.

When your traffic exits to the web through the VPN server, you appear to have an IP address at that server’s location. It also helps protect against ISPs selling anonymized metadata about your web habits. That keeps your information safe from data thieves with phony networks. When your VPN is active, your web traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel to a server managed by the VPN service. Your ISP, or the ISP connected to that public Wi-Fi network, is also keen to spy on your web activities in order to sell that information to advertisers. If you join the network, it might intercept and inspect all your web traffic, sending that information to malevolent forces. The free public Wi-Fi at the coffee shop might not be as safe as it seems.

It’s a VPN that you’ll actually use, and an Editors’ Choice winner. It’s bursting with charm, yet it also delivers excellent security tools at a good price. This excellent virtual private network secures data with a cadre of powerful, but no less cute, bears. Too often, security companies opt for ominous imagery of faceless hoodie-clad hackers or other scaremongering designs to sell their products. It's friendly when you need it to be, invisible when you don't, and it doesn't skimp on security. TunnelBear's VPN is a rare security product that doesn't force you to compromise between security and usability. Lack of geographic diversity in server locations. Browser extensions, including a stand-alone ad blocker.

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