DotVPN aims to offer a simple solution to get around restrictions and enjoy high security. This provider based in Hong Kong has a fast network that allows you to stream content without experiencing annoying delays. You can easily switch between servers and browse the internet freely, no matter where you are. The service is designed to be affordable and easy to use. While DotVPN is mainly known as a proxy solution, it also features encryption to protect your data. There is a popular free browser extension available for Chrome and Firefox, as well as premium service that offers more features and faster speeds. Here is more about DotVPN.
Security and Privacy
DotVPN supports OpenVPN on Android, which is a protocol that stands out thanks to its security and reliability. For iOS, DotVPN uses IPsec, while the browser extensions feature encrypted proxy connections. SSL-proxy connection with a 4096-bit key is used to protect your browser activities. Keep in mind that the free service only secures your browsing and not your entire traffic. The Premium service provides double encryption and enhanced security to keep all your internet traffic protected from eavesdroppers. While DotVPN can add a layer of security to your connection, it is basically a proxy plugin for your browser, meaning that it doesn’t offer the strong protection that you can enjoy with a fully-featured VPN service.
When it comes to privacy, DotVPN’s policy states that there are no logs kept of your online activities. However, there are some connection logs stored for a limited amount of time. For instance, they keep your IP address for up to 24 hours and the information related to your contacts with the customer support team for up to 2 years. The service is based in Hong Kong, which is good news in the sense that it is far from the reach of spying alliances like the Five Eyes. Unfortunately, Bitcoin is not accepted as method of payment. Overall, DotVPN is secure, but its main focus is not to be a comprehensive privacy tool. It is more suitable for users who want to bypass geo-restrictions and strengthen their security when browsing content, particularly when using public WiFi.
Features
There are browser add-ons for Opera, Chrome and Firefox. DotVPN also offers apps for Android and iOS. While a Windows client was announced in 2017, this has been launched yet. The main advantage of DotVPN is that it offers efficient performance through its fast network of servers. It is possible to switch between servers without hassle and you can access websites and content that is generally blocked in your location. Both free and premium customers can enjoy unlimited bandwidth, but it is important to note that audio and video streaming are only available for premium users. One of the most practical features is the integrated data compression, which offers the chance to save up to 30% of data traffic.
The mobile apps offer the most complete protection as they protect all your traffic and can block ads, trackers and analytics. The browser extensions support Flash Player protection, which allows you to avoid security issues linked to this application. There is also cloud firewall protection for both free and paid customers. If you have a premium account, you can enjoy access to a faster network.
Currently, DotVPN has over 700 servers in 10 countries including United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. P2P is supported in the premium plans and it also allows you to have up to 5 simultaneous connections. DotVPN also enables you to surf .onion websites thanks to its TOR inside feature. The firewall blocks that have been integrated, help you to prevent attacks on your mobile devices. The WiFi security blocks untrusted inbound connections, preventing attacks and eavesdropping.
Plans
The free service is ideal for bypassing geographical blocks so that you can access websites that are not available in your location. It offers unlimited bandwidth usage and cloud firewall protection. However, it doesn’t allow you to stream audio or video content. The premium plan supports streaming services and it also offers encryption for your internet traffic. It costs $4.99 per month and you can save money in the long run by subscribing for a full year because the monthly price is reduced to $2.99. The money-back guarantee allows you to get a refund within 30 days, in case the service doesn’t work for you. Keep in mind that there are some conditions. For example, you need to have used less than 10 GB of bandwidth and you should have connected to the service no more than 100 times.
Customer Support
It should be said that the website is well-designed and the support section offers answers about some of the most common questions. If you need additional help, you can only reach out to the support team via email-based ticket system. The replies are professional, although sometimes they don’t include too much details. It would be good to see a live chat so that customers can get prompt assistance when dealing with an issue.
Conclusion
If you are mainly interested in a way to get around geo-blocks so that you can access websites that are restricted in your location, the free service that DotVPN offers can be an effective solution. In order to be able to stream media content, use P2P and enjoy faster speeds and stronger security, a premium plan is needed. While DotVPN is affordable and easy to use, it is not the best choice for customers who want the highest level of protection. Still, DotVPN is great for getting around blocks and improving your security when using public WiFi.
