How to Use ProtonMail VPN to Browse the Internet Safely and Privately

If you’re on the road to nowhere, then it’s time to find a new place to explore. Luckily, the Internet is a large place filled with plenty of adventure and excitement waiting for you.

The only problem is that, especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi while traveling, the risks of your personal data being intercepted and used by third parties are very high. To ensure your privacy and safety when browsing the web, you need a VPN. But which one should you choose? That’s what this article is all about.

Why ProtonMail VPN

You may be familiar with ProtonMail, the encrypted email service we recommend here on the Wirecutter blog. It’s been around for more than a decade, and is consistently one of the most popular items on our best-of lists because it’s so easy to use and provides so many features.

ProtonMail was one of the first VPN services to implement the concept of a kill switch. When you launch the app, you’re presented with a helpful prompt asking if you want to enable a VPN connection. If you select yes, you’ll be able to connect to a server that has been vetted by ProtonMail. When you’re done using the app, you simply need to click on a button to disable the connection. Similarly, the service also offers a kill switch for its website. If you’re worried about your privacy or security when browsing online, this feature is for you.

Which One Should You Get?

There are several different VPN services that you can choose from, each with their pros and cons. We’ve discussed some of the major differences between the service below. Keep in mind, however, that the perfect VPN for you may depend on your specific needs. To learn more, check out our detailed reviews of the best VPNs for gaming, productivity, and more.

What Is a VPN?

VPNs are a fantastic way to protect your personal data while you’re traveling or using public Wi-Fi. A VPN creates a secure connection between your device and the VPN server, protecting all the information you transmit over the internet. (You can think of it as an encrypted tunnel.) Your device and the server exchange keys to ensure that all the information stays private. If someone manages to steal these keys, you’ll instantly know what happened because all of a sudden, you won’t be able to access your account information or use the app.

A VPN is also a great choice for when you need to ensure that your personal data stays private, whether you’re on the road to nowhere or you need some peace and quiet at home. We’ve already covered how noisy traveling with children can be. To keep them quiet during longer flights, you may want to get some noise canceling headphones. Those are also great for watching movies or TV shows on the go. You can use VPNs to make your TV stream fast without worrying about adverse effects on your monthly data cap.

Features We Love

One of the things that make ProtonMail stand out is its extensive feature set. For example, you can encrypt your emails (with TLS or WPA2 encryption), send and receive attachments, use the search feature to locate specific items, keep track of your read receipts, and more.

ProtonMail also gives you the ability to create custom labels and sets restrictions on when they can be applied. For example, you can make the standard ‘draft’ label invisible until a certain date or time, or ensure that only certain people can see it. This is great for keeping certain content private before its ‘go live’ date.

Why We Don’t Recommend Other VPNs

When we first wrote about VPNs back in 2011, there weren’t very many apps or websites that you could use to connect to a VPN. Due to the increasing popularity of VPNs and the importance tech companies are placing on user security, more and more companies have sprung up to provide VPN services. This has resulted in a crowded field filled with many similar products. It’s incredibly difficult to find a quality VPN that meets your needs. If you do find one, however, it’s typically well-worth the effort.

Even the most well-intentioned VPNs can be compromised. If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy provider, take a look at the reviews for ProtonMail on trusted websites like Reddit or TrustPilot. With so many products to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you want to protect your personal data, however, we recommend ProtonMail because it’s been around for more than a decade and has stood the test of time.