A comparison of VPN providers focusing on their security and speed

Abstract

In this thesis, various VPN service providers were compared, focusing particularly on their security, speed, and associated risks. The aim was to evaluate how the VPN services perform against two criteria: the strength of their security features and the efficiency of their data transfer speeds. Additionally, this study delved into the potential security risks and privacy issues related to free VPN services, such as data logging practices and the possible sale of user data to third parties.

The study revealed that the performance of VPN services can vary significantly. Speed tests showed substantial differences in download speeds, which can affect the user experience, especially in bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming and gaming. A surprising finding was how well some free VPNs performed, even surpassing some paid options. This challenges the common perception that paying always provides better service.

In terms of security, several VPN services proved to be strong as they did not reveal any leaks. However, the presence of DNS and encryption leaks in some services indicates that even paid VPNs are not immune to flaws that could expose user data.