“Mac users can get somewhat complacent about security, but they shouldn’t – Apple’s desktop computers are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, and it never pays to let your guard down,” Desire Athow writes for TechRadar.
“Certainly, as well as competent antivirus, folks with a Mac need a quality Virtual Private Network just as much as anyone on Windows – although not every VPN service provides a client or satisfactory support for macOS users,” Athow writes. However, if you’re stuck as to which provider to go with, help is at hand.”
“Having a good Mac client is a huge boon in terms of simply making things as easy as possible. Solid iOS support is also a welcome feature if you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and have an iPhone as well as a Mac,” Athow writes. “Next, you need powerful security with strong encryption, which goes without saying, and an easily understandable privacy policy that makes it perfectly clear what data is kept by the provider. Good performance levels obviously don’t hurt, either.”
Read more, and find out the five best VPN services for Mac, in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: An additional possibility, besides rolling your own VPN server using an old Mac, is TunnelBear. We’ve used it on our Macs and it works well.
SEE ALSO:
The best free VPN app for Apple’s iPhone – January 18, 2017
This home VPN router setup protects your data wherever you are – April 7, 2016
Dvorak: You need a VPN, or you’re screwed – March 23, 2016
Why you should avoid free VPNs – January 29, 2016
How to easily turn that old Mac into an inexpensive personal VPN – November 19, 2015
How and why you should use a VPN to protect your data’s final mile – January 16, 2015
Here’s the sister article:
Best VPN for iPhone/iOS: Our 5 top choices
I have to point out, from personal experience, that TechRadar does NOT have the best taste in services. For example, their list of ‘Best antivirus [anti-malware is the correct term] software of 2017’ is terrible and includes three companies that have RUINED their reputations in 2016.
IOW: Read these lists with a pound of salt. Read other reviews of VPNs, taking into account their:
• Cost
• Number of usable servers
• Locations of usable servers according to where you’d like to connect
• Reliability over time
• Reviews from users
• Speed ratings
The VPN I’m successfully using on both Mac and iOS is proXPN. I’ve never had any trouble with them, using servers both inside and outside the USA. Their software is simple and always works. They have a reasonable collection of server choices around the world and they RATE their speed every day. This helps you choose which server to use on any given day.
The worst VPN service of 2016 IMHO was an outright ripoff scam called VPNForever. I bought their service as part of a bundle. I NEVER got their software or service to work. Their website is continually changing in order to lure in suckers, but their service has remained worthless. Run away. Thankfully, the bundle providers kindly returned my money without me even asking!
Also keep in mind that a lot of VPN services have been hacked or man-in-the-middled by the usual governmental suspects. It hasn’t helped that OpenVPN, the open source project software almost universally used by VPN services, has had a slew of security holes discovered and exploited over the last few years. The most common alternative method of VPN connection is PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol) uses weaker encryption and is being discarded from responsible VPN services.
There are a couple other VPN protocols around, L2TP/IPsec and Chameleon. L2TP/IPsec is Microsoft’s. It has a major clunk factor and its security has been compromised. Therefore, avoid it. But it’s better than PPTP.
Chameleon™ is proprietary to VyprVPN. It’s main claim to fame is that it helps work around BLOCKED VPN. Blocking can be from governments, companies or ISPs. It can also help work around ISP bandwidth throttling.
Note that several VPN services offer ‘lifetime’ premium service at a very reasonable price via the usual ‘deal’ websites. 9to5 Mac is one example. Just be sure you’re buying into a service that’s legitimate and offers what you want.
BTW: Yes, OpenVPN is available on iOS and it works great. Ignore old documentation that says otherwise.
Tunnelblick works well for Macs connecting to a windows VPN. Very reliable and gets updated regularly.
Never had any issues with PIA, (Private Internet Access). reasonably priced and several payment options.. fair number of servers to access, good performance so far.
I have used overplay.net for about 4 years & can recommend it.
I live in Korea whose internet blacks rival the Chinas. I used to use Strongvpn which wasn’t too bad at the time but I have outgrown its usefulness.
I now use NordVPN with the 2 year plan. I am very happy with it and use it on both my macs, my iPad and iPhone (at the same time) with 2 connections to spare. Eventually I will set up a VPN router. Works great, love the server choices as well.
Netshade (RaynerSoftware) is Mac only and a dream to use. I have been using it for over 4 years it totally rocks is fast and bypasses all restriction it has around the world choices for multipul servers and you can VPN and/or proxy for double protection.
I love it
Mac’s security is already pretty nifty. But if you’re still looking for a VPN for Mac, try anything with zero log policy and a kill switch like ivacy
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