But that hardly made it worth recommending. As it applied to uploads, PureVPN’s speeds weren’t nearly as bad – in the evening, it scored second-fastest among the VPNs we tested. In both the afternoon and evening, PureVPN’s download performance was the slowest of any VPN we tested, and cut the speed of our internet connection by 75% or more. Using the website, we took an average of PureVPN’s download and upload speeds in the afternoon and evening, comparing it to the average speed of our internet connection without using a VPN, as well as competing VPNs to determine which service was the fastest VPN of 2020. Our speed tests were conducted using SpeedOf.Me. Our initial speed tests alone told us it wasn’t going to meet the challenge – PureVPN was the slowest VPN we tested in 2020. Knowing that many of PureVPN’s protocols weren’t working, we connected through L2TP to put the service to the test and determine if it would be the best VPN for gaming, for streaming video through Netflix, or just simply for keeping internet usage private while not slowing it down significantly. But these shortcuts didn’t work as we’d hope, since several of the PureVPN protocols that support them weren’t connecting for us. Hard to see, a “change mode” link in the top left corner of the app gives users the ability to customize their PureVPN usage with just a click, providing options titled “Stream” (for watching video online), “internet Freedom” (for accessing websites that are blocked in your region), “Security/Privacy” (designed to keep data encrypted and safe), “File Sharing” (self-explanatory there), and “Dedicated IP” (likewise). That’s a shame, because PureVPN has one of the user-friendliest interfaces going among the VPNs we tested. In trying out the other protocols listed in PureVPN’s preferences, some (IPSEC, L2TP) worked, while others (SSTP, TCP, UDP) repeated the same “Looking for your new Location” issue. The company’s representative had us open the app’s settings and change from its automatic mode, which selects from among several VPN protocols, to L2TP, a highly secure but ultimately slower protocol. Instead, when we clicked the button, the VPN whirred to life but eventually stalled out, unable to make a complete connection to its service – its status read “looking for your new Location” and didn’t allow us to access the internet until it was otherwise disconnected.įortunately the “Live Chat” button on PureVPN’s website provided prompt, knowledgeable, and helpful support and eventually got us online, though not in an ideal way. Featuring a simple, straightforward, one-button interface, you’d expect to click “connect” and be on your way to getting protection, but that’s unfortunately not what we experienced. Testing the VPN using its Mac OS app also proved to be similarly complicated. However, it’s worth noting, the company revised its privacy policy in 2018, and in August 2019 it was certified as log-free by a third-party auditor. Federal officials said “PureVPN was able to determine that their service was accessed by the same customer from two originating IP addresses,” which makes it unlikely that no data was collected at that time. PureVPN has long stated that it does not keep logs of its users' activity, but the 2017 arrest of a Massachusetts man who used the service to allegedly stalk a person raises eyebrows on that claim. Giving users the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, PureVPN supports Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS through various apps, as well as Chrome and Firefox through extensions, and hardware including routers, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV devices.Ī major selling point for PureVPN (like some of its competitors) is that it’s based in Hong Kong, so therefore out of the jurisdiction of the “five eyes.” This should, in theory, provide cover if you were to use this service for nefarious reasons, but China’s recent announcement of it exerting more control over the territory throws that benefit into question. Boasting more than 2,000 servers across over 140 countries, PureVPN can help you connect to tunnels through the internet on six out of the seven continents.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |