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This lifetime VPN Unlimited subscription protects 5 devices for just $15

Returning to its lowest price ever, this virtual private network can help protect you from hackers.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
3 min read
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VPN Unlimited can protect up to five of your devices for a pretty unbeatable price.

KeepSolid

Are you using a VPN ? You should be, especially if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks on your phone, tablet or laptop. There are free options out there, but I agree with ZDNet's David Gewirtz that free VPNs are not a risk worth taking. Fortunately, a VPN doesn't have to be expensive -- at least if you take advantage of this deal. For a limited time, Cheapskate readers can once again get a lifetime KeepSolid VPN Unlimited subscription (5 devices) for $15 with promo code VPNSAVE. That ties the lowest price I've ever seen on this. If you were to buy it directly from developer KeepSolid, it would cost you $200. Note, however, that there are no refunds once you redeem your license.

A VPN (virtual private network) can keep hackers at bay when you connect to open Wi-Fi networks -- like the one on the airplane or at Starbucks. It does so by making your connection less visible to the outside world. Without a VPN, a hacker could capture your login info when you sign into, say, your bank or Gmail account.

The subscription affords protection on up to five devices simultaneously, with support for all the major platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac and Windows. VPN Unlimited has servers in over 80 countries.

CNET hasn't reviewed it, which is why you won't find it on the otherwise comprehensive list of the best VPN services for 2020. I've used it on occasion, while traveling, and found it perfectly reliable.

However, while I'm no expert on the subject, I do know there are two key considerations when evaluating any VPN: speed and privacy. I tested the former while connected to my home network and got the below result.

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When active (right), VPN Unlimited can definitely impact connectivity speed. But depending on how and when you use it, it might not matter that much.

Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET

As you can see, VPN Unlimited cut my download performance just about in half. Does that matter when you're starting at 100Mbps? Hardly. But if you're connecting to a public Wi-Fi network that's giving you only, say, 2Mbps? Then it might become a factor. It all depends on what you're doing when you're online. Email and web browsing? A 50% performance hit will likely go unnoticed. Streaming video? Maybe noticed.

The other concern is privacy: Does the VPN provider, itself, monitor your online activities? If so, to what end? My advice: Read KeepSolid's privacy policy, and do likewise for any other VPN you're thinking about using. I'll simply say this particular developer has been around for many years and offers a variety of products, not just this one. I'd be more suspicious of a one-trick-pony operation.

I like having VPN Unlimited on hand for those times when I connect to public Wi-Fi, and I definitely like this insanely low one-and-done pricing. Your thoughts?

Note: Originally published last year. Updated to reflect new sale prices and/or availability.


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