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A free VPN service for surfing anonymously or accessing blocked, foreign websites

A free VPN service for surfing anonymously or accessing blocked, foreign websites

Vote: (174 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: CyberGhost S.R.L

Version: 8.3.7

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac Android

Vote:

Program license

(174 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

CyberGhost S.R.L

8.3.7

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac Android

Pros

  • Extremely secure
  • Easy to configure
  • Secures everything in your network perimeter
  • Massive collection of servers

Cons

  • Slows down network throughput
  • Videos sometimes skip when played through Cyberghost

Cyberghost VPN is a virtual private network app that allows you to hide your network traffic behind a barrier. The software will tunnel all the traffic from your devices through a remote server, so it'll appear that your requests are coming from somewhere else. Those who want to improve the level of privacy that they enjoy online are able to use this software to ensure that people can't simply trace their IP address to find out where they are.

Rather than simply tunneling your traffic through a single server, Cyberghost's developers have taken the time to build up a worldwide network of different physical networking switches. That means you won't have to use the same remote IP addresses at all time. Those who are dealing with blocked sites due to IP address conflicts can use the software to get around these problems.

For instance, you might have shared an IP address with someone who was specifically banned from a forum site. You won't be able to use this site even if you yourself have done nothing wrong. Cyberghost permits you to get around these inadvertent bans, which in turn will help you access a wide variety of content that you'd otherwise be forbidden from working with.

It's also an excellent way to get around the geographical restrictions that are used by so many popular video and music streaming sites. Consider the example of someone who wants to stream their favorite anime series online. If their IP address is served from the United States, then they'll potentially be told that they can't stream certain episodes due to the fact that they're blocked in certain countries.

Ironically, these kinds of bands impact even the English dubbed versions of some series. Cyberghost VPN users can simply switch their IP address so that it appears to be coming out of Japan, which in turn would allow them to view everything someone in that country might be able to.

Best of all, it isn't too difficult to get up and running with the software. When you first install it, you'll be asked to select which plan you like and then create an account. Making one is every bit as easy as signing up for almost any other kind of online service. All you have to do is enter some details as well as your email address. You'll be prompted to create a password, and then the software will work as expected. Most users should find that it takes less than 15 minutes to get going with Cyberghost, which means you'll be able to use it in just a few minutes after activation.

Those who might not have much experience with networking will only have to enter a few basic pieces of information to get going. Cyberghost is designed to make it easy for new users to enjoy all the benefits of using a VPN service without ever having to think about packets or configure individual networking ports.

Networking experts won't feel like they're having their hand held, however. You're free to set advanced configuration options if you want to. That being said, you might be surprised to find that the defaults do the job quite well in spite of any concerns you might have had about them.

Hardcore consumers of media are going to appreciate Cyberghost the best. While it includes a full list of servers that are sorted by country, you're also free to create your own filters and have them sorted a different way if you prefer. You can search for a server based on your specific use case.

Those who want to stream media are able to look for ones in the country that would be most suitable for the type of videos they want to watch. Cyberghost VPN will try and find you servers that are at least somewhat close to your location, which can help to minimize the performance issues that come with using a VPN.

On top of this, you'll be able to quickly locate the best servers for use with a torrent application. If your ISP has placed a block on torrents, then this will allow you to access them. It can also help you download torrent archives even when you're hidden behind some kind of regional block.

Users can browse a list of over 3,000 different servers to hide behind. These are physically located in over 60 countries. While it might occasionally take some time to find just the right one for the type of transaction you're attempting to complete, there's no reason that you won't be able to find at least one that works well for your needs.

After having created an account on a PC, you can also deploy Cyberghost VPN on other devices you have connected to the Internet. Those who want to download materials on a smartphone can put in their Cyberghost details and get connected the same way they would on their other devices. That makes it easy for users to stay safe and private on everything they use. Of course, you're always free to maintain all your configuration details right from your Windows PC. Cyberghost will keep your accounts updated across your network regardless, so you'll have nothing to worry about.

Security-conscious users will appreciate the fact that Cyberghost relies on a 256-bit AES encryption system. That's one of the strongest systems you're likely to see deployed in a consumer-grade product. You're essentially using a lock that generates 1 septillion possibilities based on a key that changes each time you log in. That should keep your data more than secure no matter what kind of information you're accessing.

Using a VPN naturally slows down how many packets can pass through your Internet connection, but Cyberghost doesn't otherwise impact your system. Those who want to run other applications or single-player games on their PC shouldn't notice any lag while they have Cyberghost open, which is good news for multitaskers and those who use their machines to the fullest.

Pros

  • Extremely secure
  • Easy to configure
  • Secures everything in your network perimeter
  • Massive collection of servers

Cons

  • Slows down network throughput
  • Videos sometimes skip when played through Cyberghost

Pros

  • Features simple user interface that covers up to seven devices
  • Recommended for streaming and high-intensity data transfers

Cons

  • Only paid subscriptions are available

Cyberghost is a VPN, or virtual private network, service that lets users browse the internet while encrypting their own personal information.

Using the VPN service, users can browse on public Wifi connections or access blocked content, all while avoiding malicious browser-based threats. The VPN is often used to enjoy peer-to-peer torrenting, unblock streamed content, and access region-blocked sites.

The paid service uses military-grade encryption to keep all your personal data and internet use safe. It's great for those that wish to secure bank transactions or other compromised data.

With a subscription base plan, users are able to cover up to seven devices simultaneously through one remote portal. The simple user interface allows users to pre-select specific servers and access recommended streaming servers.

Pros

  • Features simple user interface that covers up to seven devices
  • Recommended for streaming and high-intensity data transfers

Cons

  • Only paid subscriptions are available

Pros

  • Highly Intuitive
  • Some Free Aspects
  • Pleasant UI
  • Streaming Service Unblocking

Cons

  • Interface Typos

Cyberghost VPN is a piece of virtual private network software that is partially free. It has a number of built-in functions including anonymous torrents and surfing, customizable settings, website and streaming unblocking, and robust internet protection.

Perhaps the first thing you'll notice about Cyberghost is that it's quite intuitive. The software is worth trying on your own simply so you can see how easy it is. It only takes a click or two to access the most typical VPN functions, so it offers advanced methods for battling censorship on the web in a fast and efficient way.

Something that this app handles that others typically don't is streaming data. It's inadvisable that you should use this functionality for gaming that requires steady timing since it can produce an occasional lag, but the software goes a step further by finding streaming services to which you can be safely directed.

Many users will be more than satisfied with the above utility from Cyberghost, but it is possible to fully customize the software thanks to the 'Choose My VPN Server' panel in the app.

This panel allows you to choose your own server, and it gives access to other settings that can be altered per your needs. This includes the decision to compress data or block ads. With the proper settings, you could use the functionality in this panel to subvert regional policies for blocking internet access while surfing entirely anonymously.

Power users will notice that the server browser is still designed to make it easy to select the ideal server. Servers can be sorted by number of current users, overall speed, latency, and distance. If you want to make sure your online tracks are covered, you could access NoSpyProxy servers, servers with P2P compatibility, or busier servers that are harder to track.

While many of the functions found in Cyberghost VPN require a paid subscription, you can still use the 'Unblock Basic Websites' panel in the free version. This might not sound like much, but it still helps you avoid internet censorship in many forms. Most VPNs are designed specifically for that function, and it's rare to find such a top-tier software solution with that free feature.

If you need a piece of VPN software that will help you get around censorship online, Cyberghost is free and powerful. The app is highly recommended for those who need to complete VPN tasks of any sort. It can offer every security layer that standard VPN suites provide, and the user doesn't have to configure the software for optimal utility. Users can select their own favorite apps and web browsers to use with the software. If you have need of VPN utility to any degree, Cyberghost is the ideal option. Perhaps the only downside is the occasional misspelled word in the user interface.

Pros

  • Highly Intuitive
  • Some Free Aspects
  • Pleasant UI
  • Streaming Service Unblocking

Cons

  • Interface Typos