On an internet rife with malware, protecting personal data is essential. One solution: virtual private networks (VPNs), which encrypt data, shielding you from the prying eyes of companies, governments, and hackers. Once the preserve of those willing to tolerate slower connection speeds, VPNs are now fast and user-friendly—thanks in part to NordVPN. With its latest version, released in March, the service blocks malware and malicious ads—most VPNs don’t—while also offering a suite of cybersecurity services for consumers and businesses, including encrypted password managers and cloud storage. Nord Security, the Lithuania-based startup behind NordVPN, was valued at $1.6 billion earlier this year.
Buy Now: Nord Security NordVPN
More Must-Reads From TIME
- What We Know So Far About the Deadly Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
- Beyoncé's Album of the Year Snub Fits Into the Grammys' Long History of Overlooking Black Women
- How the U.S. Shot Down the Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon
- Effective Altruism Has a Toxic Culture of Sexual Harassment and Abuse, Women Say
- Inside Bolsonaro's Surreal New Life as a Florida Man—and MAGA Darling
- 'Return to Office' Plans Spell Trouble for Working Moms
- 8 Ways to Read More Books—and Why You Should
- Why Aren't Movies Sexy Anymore?
- How Logan Paul's Crypto Empire Fell Apart