This article presents the results of our comprehensive practical evaluation and review of Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN.
Table of Contents
What Is A VPN?
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that continually changes your IP address to a Secure Server to keep you anonymous when browsing. This change in IP address and device location, combined with encryption of your data, provides you with numerous benefits.
First, it offers you access to a blocked or geo-restricted website. Also, VPN protects you from cyber threats, spying organizations, and your government. Most importantly, it disallows Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from collecting your browsing log or activities. That is because ISPs notoriously sell your browsing log to Advertising companies. Worst part? It is not illegal for them to sell users’ data.
There are so many benefits to using a VPN. However, there are many VPN providers on the internet today. We recommend using VPN services evaluated by unbiased experts, so you avoid paying for subpar software.
What Is Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN?
Private Internet Access is a leading VPN service provider specializing in secure, encrypted VPN tunnels that create multiple layers of privacy and security. That provides you with military-grade security and safety on the internet.
PIA VPN is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of privacy without compromising performance or speed. In other words, the PIA VPN provides a world-class VPN tunnel Network with unlimited bandwidth.
Furthermore, it features a total of 3,335 VPN and Proxy servers across 50 locations in 30 countries. This network uses bare-metal servers with high performance and security.
The Benefit Of Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN
- Private Internet Access VPN enables you to browse the internet anonymously, so ISPs, spying organizations, and others cannot access your browsing history. It achieves this by hiding your IP address and encrypting your data.
- PIA VPN provides you with access to geo-restricted sites by changing your IP address to locations approved by the website.
- If you cannot also trust a VPN provider with your browsing data, the PIA VPN will suit you. That is because it has a zero-log policy they efficiently keep. So, unlike other VPN providers that may sell your data, PIA VPN does not.
- The cyber-world is full of threats and thieves. However, with the PIA VPN, you are entirely protected from such threats. The PIA VPN high-tech servers provide you with superior security that no hacker can beat.
- The last point may become invalid over time as the tech world continues to improve. However, the PIA VPN has a team of tech geniuses who continually upgrade the service to counter new threats.
Unique Private Internet Access VPN Features
IP cloak
The Private Internet Access VPN comes with a superior IP hiding option, tagged the IP Cloak. This option conceals your real IP address by assigning you one of their anonymous IP addresses. With that, you can effectively stop Internet Service Providers from tracking your browsing activities and knowing your geographic location.
Advanced Firewall Protection
The Private Internet Access VPN comes with the Netfilter Project, which features an improved firewall and enhanced filtering capabilities. As such, you will completely solve the problem of receiving unwanted connections on your computer by using the PIA VPN.
Typically, when VPN service providers provide a firewall, it reduces the overall performance and speed of the service. In contrast, the PIA VPN firewall allows for fast speeds and optimal performing firewall protection.
Military-grade Encryption
The Private Internet Access VPN utilizes a cryptographically secure Blowfish CBC algorithm, which features high-grade encryption. Furthermore, it works in conjunction with the OpenVPN protocol, which secures your data transmission.
PIA VPN allows users to choose the level of encryption on each VPN session. However, in the default settings, it provides AES-128 data encryption. However, you can select the maximum AES-256 encryption type for optimum security.
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Furthermore, the PIA VPN offers Handshake Encryption for added protection. Correctly, this option prevents you from connecting to a hacker’s server, thinking it is the PIA server.
Other features of the Private Internet Access VPN
- OpenVPN, SOCKS5, PPTP and L2TP/IPSec
- Wi-Fi security
- Zero traffic log policy
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Multiple VPN gateways
- IPv6 and DNS leak protection
- Split Tunneling and Internet kill switch
READ ALSO: Honest Private Internet Access (PIA) Antivirus Review
Private Internet Access VPN Evaluation
The Secureblitz team experts tested the Private Internet Access VPN application on the following devices:
- Windows OS
- Mac OS
- Ubuntu
- Android OS
- Google Chrome browser extension
- Mozilla Firefox browser extension
- Opera browser extension
Below is a detailed result from the full evaluation of the Private Internet Access VPN
Speed test
To begin with, every VPN you use affects your browsing speed. However, a good VPN will provide optimal security with minimal impact on your speed. Furthermore, a high-performing VPN service will enhance your download and upload speeds.
We tested PIA VPN speed at various notable server locations across the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Japan, Israel, Belgium, France, Mexico, Denmark, and other regions.
The results indicate that connection speeds vary by location. Yet, the Private Internet Access VPN increased the download and upload speed of our connection.
Graphics User Interface ease of use
The Private Internet Access VPN boasts an easy-to-use custom VPN interface. Well, we put it to the test. Through our use of the application, we discovered that it combines advanced VPN features with an intuitive interface. Furthermore, the installation of this service is straightforward and easy to accomplish.
DNS, IP, and WebRTC Leaks
We tested the Private Internet Access VPN on different DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak checkers. Precisely, it passed all the tests, and our IP, DNS, or WebRTC escaped detection from all the test tools.
Geo-restriction test
To test the geo-unblocking ability of the Private Internet Access VPN, we examined the service on the following sites:
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Crackle
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime
- ESPN
- HBO Go/Now
- BBC iPlayer
- Vudu
With the PIA VPN, there was no detection from the geo-blocked sites. That is, we could access these sites despite the restriction on our location.
Tor and Torrenting Support
The PIA VPN offers fast torrent downloads via a P2P-optimized server. Additionally, we installed the VPN on both Mac and Windows PCs (as they do not have a Tor browser extension). We discovered that the service was functioning on these PCs after we updated our IP and DNS settings. Furthermore, we were able to access onion sites without any hassle.
PIA Pricing Plans
Private Internet Access VPN offers three pricing plans and a 7-day money-back guarantee. With any of these plans, you can access the full benefits of the service.
- Monthly Plan – $9.95 per month
- Yearly Plan – $39.95 per year
- 2-Years Plan – $69.95 per two years (+2 Months Free)
Technical Details
- Multilingual Support: English, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Russian
- Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Payment Methods: PayPal, Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Pay Garden, Amazon Payment
Related: Full Ivacy VPN Review – Affordable, Faster & Secure VPN You Should Consider
Customer Support
Private Internet Access VPN offers highly responsive customer support that can be accessed directly from the website. Feedback is sent directly to your email address.
Conclusion
Now, let’s conclude this Private Internet Access VPN review.
Overall, Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is efficient and effective in terms of performance. There are numerous positive reviews available on its website. Based on our tests, we found that the positive recommendations are valid. If you’re looking for a high-quality VPN service, Private Internet Access VPN is a premium option worth considering.
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About the Author:
Abraham Faisal is a professional content writer. He has a strong passion for online privacy, cybersecurity and blockchain and is an advocate for online privacy. He has been writing about these topics since 2018 and is a regular contributor to a number of publications. He has a degree in Computer Science and has in-depth knowledge of the ever-evolving world of digital security. In his free time, he likes to travel and explore new cultures.
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