It’s easy to feel a false sense of security whenever we are doing any kind of activity online — especially when using the Internet right from the warmth and comfort of our own homes. It’s this false sense of security that prompts us to grab the nearest device and openly access our email accounts, enter sensitive information, and even use our banking apps, assuming our private information is well-protected by our passwords.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Nowadays, simple password protection is just not sufficient for keeping our IP addresses hidden and our personal information under lock and key.
Nowadays, a simple key is insufficient when trying to protect our homes from a break-in. The same way we secure our houses using apps, security systems, and even motion sensors, an added level of protection is necessary to protect our private banking details and account information.
If you want to make sure your bank account and online banking details are kept safe and secure and away from prying eyes, you will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN will keep your IP address, online transactions, and login info encrypted and out of the grasp of hackers, third parties, and even your Internet Service Provider.
In a Hurry? Here Are the Best VPNs for Online Banking
Why You Should Use a VPN for Online Banking
Any time you are accessing any sensitive data on the web, you should be using a VPN. Here are some of the reasons:
- Keep your bank details safe on public Wi-Fi: If you are entering sensitive information, like banking details, on a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network, you are putting yourself at serious risk for cyber-attack. Criminals are able to break into your public network and access your IP address, steal your banking data, or even install malware or spyware on your device that will give them an in to your private accounts.
- Circumvent geo-restrictions: If your banking platform detects that you are accessing your bank account from outside your routine access point, it may block you, send you a fraud alert, or even put your bank account on hold, which is a huge inconvenience.
- Keep your login details secure: Criminals nowadays are using more sophisticated and more sneaky methods of trying to access your login details and credentials, like using fake email addresses and phishing scams aimed at tricking you into handing over your secure logins and passwords.
- Safeguarding your apps: Hackers can gain access to your secure apps if the apps are not encrypted or if they are infected with malware or spyware — particularly on your mobile devices.
To safeguard yourself, the most effective step you can take is to use a VPN. A VPN will encrypt all of your data and sensitive information, preventing any hackers from gaining access to your login or password and protecting your money and your banking details from prying eyes. A VPN will also help get around any geo-restrictions and let you freely manage your banking online from anywhere in the world.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Online Banking
If you are trying to find the best VPN for online banking, it is important to make sure you are choosing one that is easy to use and has been vetted for online privacy and security protocols so that your personal information is always kept safe. Here are some of the important features to look for in a reliable VPN for banking:
Broad Server Network: If you are trying to make sure you can access your bank account from anywhere in the world, you will need to make sure first that your banking VPN has servers in the country where your bank is located. If you have a bank account in more than one country, you will need to make sure you can access a VPN server in each location.
Top-notch Security and Privacy: If you are doing online banking, you are entering and accessing very sensitive information on the web. A reliable banking VPN service should have the best security features, like AES 256-bit encryption, malware blockers, and a Kill Switch that keeps your private banking information safe in case your VPN service ever cuts out for some reason. On top of this, any banking VPN service will need to have IP and DNS leak protection so that your identity and traffic remain encrypted, even on public Wi-Fi.
No-Logging Policy: A reputable banking VPN service will have a very clear and verified no-logs policy, ensuring its customers that it will never store any personal data or bank information.
5 Best VPNs for Online Banking
If you are looking for the best VPN for online banking, check out these 5 options that we can vouch for that will keep your online transactions safe and secure:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for online banking for both beginners and advanced users. Whether you are connecting to a local server or a server around the globe, your Internet privacy — as well as your Internet connection speeds — when using this VPN service will be the very best.
As for privacy, ExpressVPN offers military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a Kill Switch, and OpenVPN across all platforms, so all of your information will remain private and secure at all times.
It’s also good to note that this VPN service is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, so all of your activity and information will remain out of government reach.
And, of course, ExpressVPN has a strict, verified, no-logs policy, so there really, truly is never any worry that your information is being kept by anyone. Ever.
ExpressVPN has compatibility with all main platforms, including Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS; and since most households have many different devices under one roof, it is good to note that you can use up to 5 simultaneous devices on just one account.
The one drawback of ExpressVPN is that it is one of the more expensive VPN services, but I think you’d agree that the few-dollar increase in price for an ExpressVPN subscription is completely worth paying for the most reliable services on the market — especially when dealing with your life’s savings!
If you are a newbie to the world of VPNs, it’s great to note that ExpressVPN has some of the most responsive, most knowledgeable customer support around. In the end, if for some reason you are not sold on this service, you can opt-out within 30 days for a full refund, guaranteed, so there really is nothing to lose.
- Easy to use across platforms
- 24/7 Live-support chat support
- Top security features
- 5 simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More expensive than the other VPNs
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best VPN services for both newbies and pros. Although it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, it offers great speeds, top privacy features, and reliable connections.
NordVPN has obfuscated servers that can bypass firewalls and geographic restrictions, and a double VPN that you can enable that will send your traffic through an extra layer of encryption, giving you the most secure experience out there. Using this double VPN feature is only recommended if you need an added layer of privacy in heavily censored countries. Using it for ordinary online activity is not recommended because it will slow your traffic.
Its baseline security and privacy features are great with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, a Kill Switch, and OpenVPN and IKEc2/IPSec protocols that will keep your footprint hidden; and its CyberSec feature also provides an extra layer of protection from malware and annoying ads that may pop up.
If you are worried about surveillance, it is good to note that Nord is based in Panama, far from the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance, and it also offers a strict zero-logs policy.
This service has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS; and you can use up to 6 devices simultaneously with a single subscription, which means you’ll be able to use a combination of devices without compromising your speed or quality.
NordVPN has stellar customer service, including 24/7 live-chat support that you can use in case any problems arise; but if you are still not sold after a few weeks, you can opt-out and take advantage of its 30-day refund guarantee.
- Double VPN and Obfuscated Servers
- No-logging policy
- Military-grade 256-bit Encryption
- Cheaper price than ExpressVPN
- 6 user connections on one plan
- Speeds can be slower in advanced mode
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is a reliable VPN that also happens to be one of the most affordable VPNs out there for both beginners and pros.
Surfshark VPN passes all the tests for security features with its military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, split tunneling, double encryption, Kill Switch, and its special CleanWeb suite, which blocks ads and protects against malware.
Surfshark is located in the British Virgin Islands, outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, and it has a strict no-logging policy, so you should never be worried that your online activity is ever being tracked or kept.
This service is compatible with Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS; and users are able to access their VPN protection on an unlimited number of devices, making it ideal for a large family that wants to connect multiple electronics at once, or for a workplace with a large number of employees.
Surfshark also offers great 24/7 live-chat customer support and a refund within 30 days, giving you the chance to try this VPN for plenty of time with no strings attached.
- No-logging policy
- Unlimited number connections
- 24/7 live-support
- Top Security features
- Easy of use
- Slightly slower speeds
- Split tunneling only on some platforms
4. CyberGhost
If you need a VPN for online banking, CyberGhost is a great bet. CyberGhost has over 6,900 servers in 89 countries around the world.
CyberGhost has native apps for Mac, Windows, Android, or iOS-based mobile devices; and you can connect a pretty sizable 7 devices simultaneously to one VPN account, which is higher than what NordVPN and ExpressVPN allow.
CyberGhost VPN offers 256-bit AES encryption, a Kill Switch, and a built-in ad blocker. On top of this, It is based in Romania, which is out of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. Its location, together with its reassuring zero logs policy, ensures that your activity will never be kept or tracked.
Unlike the other VPN services, CyberGhost VPN offers the user a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you even more time to change your mind about this VPN with absolutely no penalty.
- Large server network
- 45-day refund guarantee
- Use up to 7 connections at once
- Good privacy features
- Slower long-distance speeds
5. UltraVPN
UltraVPN is among the smallest of the top VPNs, with around 100 servers spread across almost 60 countries. Despite this, I was still pretty impressed with UltraVPN’s connection speed and reliability.
You can connect UltraVPN using native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and more; but it only allows you to use 3 devices simultaneously, so if more than three of you want to connect at once, another of the other VPNs might be a better option.
UltraVPN has strong security with 256-bit military-grade encryption and an automatic Kill Switch that will protect your data in the event that your Internet fails.
If you are worried about surveillance, it is important to note that UltraVPN is based in the US, which is a 5/9/14 Eyes country. Even so, it claims that it does not keep logs. When we checked further, it turns out that it does collect the user‘s IP address, location, and device information, but not any logs of your activity.
All in all, this is a small and less-advanced VPN that really doesn’t offer as much value for your money as all of the VPNs listed above it on the list, and since its site was last updated, it appears that a few of its old offers, like its previous 7-day free trial, are no longer an option.
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 technical support
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Keeps some logs
- Slower speeds
- In 5-Eyes Country
- Only connects 3 users simultaneously
Safety Tips to Protect Your Online Banking
On top of the use of a VPN, you can be extra careful about keeping your banking details private and secure by following these tips:
Keep an eye out for suspicious activity:
Even when employing a VPN as a safety measure, it is still a good idea to always be on guard for any red flags that may indicate that your security has been breached. For example, if you see that there has been a charge that you have not authorized, a request for password change, or an attempted login that you did not initiate, take steps to contact your bank and look into this right away. If you are using one of the mainstream banks, you should be able to verify any suspicious activity automatically.
Always use a secure connection:
When you are connecting to your online banking portal, always do so with an HTTPS connection. Otherwise, you may be entering information on an unverified or unsecured network. If your bank does not offer an encrypted, secured site, we would advise you to switch banks.
Be on guard for scams:
There are more online banking scams out there than you could even imagine. Phishing scams are constantly being used to try to steal private banking data and security details from unassuming consumers. It is common to receive fake emails or download requests that will prompt you to enter your login information as usual, giving scammers your private login credentials and direct access to your accounts. There are even call centers that employ scammers to call naive customers to pose as their banks or as their credit card company to “protect them” from suspicious activity and charges. Always initiate calls with your bank so that you can be sure you are calling a reputable number, and only use your secure banking app to do any online banking. If you get an email from your “bank,” sometimes just hitting reply will show you a very obviously fake email address that is posing as your bank representative. Be aware and on-guard at all times.
Use 2-factor authentication:
When you are logging in to your private online banking accounts, the best method to choose is 2-factor authentication. This makes it one step harder for hackers to get their hands on your information. On top of this, do not use generic passwords for your private banking service logins. In fact, try as much as possible to use a different password for all of your important accounts so that a breach in one service does not mean a breach in multiple. On top of this, make sure it hasn’t been too long since your passwords were last updated.
Keep all devices secure:
If there are options to secure entry to your devices, do so. This way, if your computer or mobile phone is stolen, hackers will first have to get through your facial recognition or complex password before accessing your banking info on your private bank app. On top of this, make sure to always sign out of your accounts when you are done using them. Even though most will time you out after a certain amount of time of inactivity, it is good to get into the habit of logging out manually. Also, while it is tempting to have your devices remember your passwords, disable these settings. This way, if your phone or computer is stolen, you will have more time to troubleshoot this breach.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Online Banking?
If you are concerned about your privacy and security online, it is in your best interest to subscribe to a paid VPN service.
While there are some free VPNs on the market that may keep you safe, overall, free VPNs are too much of a question mark, which is not what you want to sign up for when your online security is at risk.
While not all are, many free VPNs are scams, and some not only fail at providing adequate safety features, but they actually actively sell user data and IP addresses to third parties for a profit, since they are not making a profit off your subscription fee.
On top of this, free VPN services also have been known to allow ads and malware to access your network since they can make a commission when you buy anything purchased through clicks on their network. This is not only a nuisance, but it puts you and your privacy in jeopardy.
FAQs
Conclusion
Using a VPN is the best way to ensure your online privacy when you are doing any online banking. If your personal data and bank account details make it into the wrong hands, the price to pay will be a lot steeper than the price of the VPN providers listed above.
Even with ExpressVPN, our choice for the best VPN for banking, the more expensive cost is still nominal if you take into consideration the advanced data encryption and security protocols it uses to make sure your personal data is always kept under lock and key, even from the most persistent cyber-criminals.
If you are paying for a one-year plan for ExpressVPN, the price will be only $6.67 per month, which includes 3 months free, so you are actually getting a 15-month plan instead of a 1-year plan. This price, while higher than its competitors, buys you access to a premium VPN service with top speeds and the best protection.
