With the advent of Virtual Private Networks, aka VPNs, users have become further aware of how much anonymity they can obtain while surfing through the internet, and nearly every company in the cybersecurity industry has escalated its pitch to bring in advanced VPNs every year. While some VPNs have been critiqued by users and some cyber experts, some of them have really managed to astound users all over the world. And indeed, one of such VPNs is Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN.
However, it is imperative to realize that Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN has not been without criticism. A large chunk of its users has complained that the VPN application is not user-friendly and is lacking in functions, which some of its competitors do have. Young users also haven’t appreciated its ruthless banning of BitTorrent. Yet, the Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN can still be useful if not favorable because of user-affordable cost and its ability to embed itself with an activated antivirus application.
The Wi-Fi Security VPN finds its supporters from the group who are already using Webroot antivirus software or those professionals or students who are in need of standard Virtual Private Network at a low cost.
Some Merits and Demerits of Wi-Fi Security VPN
Advantages- 1) Nominal Cost.
2) Easy-to-understand features and applications.
3) Package offers with Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus.
Disadvantages- 1) No QMS (Quality Management System)
2) No high-tech features.
3) No fixed cost. Sometimes it varies from month-to-month.
4) Absence of BitTorrent enable.
Now, let us look at some core topics.
What Do We Mean By VPN?
Now, as you already know, VPN is an abbreviation of the technical term “Virtual Private Network,” and it is generally used to create user-anonymity.
When you power on any VPN switch, by default, an encrypted signal gets sent to the server fixed by the VPN company, the signal is then acknowledged by the server, and the connection gets established. After that, all of your web surfing data gets transferred to the server, all the while ensuring that no prying eyes access the data to sell it illegally.
Now, on the internet, you become completely anonymous because the VPN hides your Internet Protocol address, and all the sites that you access come from the VPN server. It offers you a lot of privacy while surfing online.
It is imperative to understand that VPN is not similar to turning on Incognito mode. Your internet service provider, your browser, and possibly your employer might know what you do in an incognito mode, unlike VPN, which ensures absolute anonymity.
It is also essential to note down the caveat that VPN, in no way, ensures full security. You must take care of your data and make sure that you are using Password managers and multiple-step authentication procedures wherever it is necessary.
The Cost of Wi-Fi Security VPN From Webroot
The price-tag of Webroot’s Wi-Fi Security VPN is its advantage as well as disadvantage. It has been said that while the VPN comes at a user-affordable cost, its prices do vary over the course of time.
Most of Webroot’s competitors offer VPN services on a monthly or annual subscription basis with an inflated value for a longer subscription. However, the same is not true for Wi-Fi Security VPN. The most interesting facet of its subscription is the fact that it offers a two-year-long subscription instead of an annual or monthly subscription plan.
You can also opt to choose between a $40 plan or a $60 plan. The $40 plan will let you have all the features of the VPN on three devices, while the $60 plan will let you have access to the VPN on five devices.
You can also choose to buy an $85 bundle package that will also enable you to have access to an annual subscription of Webroot SecureAnywhere “Internet Security Plus.” If you buy the antivirus on its own, it will cost you around $60.
What are Its VPN Protocols?
There are many VPN protocols, which can be employed to establish a connection between the device and the VPN server. Max Eddy of PCMag magazine had written in his blog that he prefers to use OpenVPN, which is indeed supported by Webroot Wi-Fi Security and is also available for free in the public domain.
You can also choose to employ the IKEv2 protocol. Some older versions of the protocol such as L2TP/IPsec and PPTP; however, you should only use these protocols after informing yourself about all the risks involved with it. It has been recommended by cyber experts that we should never use older versions of either antivirus or VPNs because they get vulnerable to cyber-attacks over time.
Lucky are those that are using WireGuard, which has been widely considered to be the most sophisticated protocol. However, not all VPNs support this protocol.
Privacy Policy of Webroot
Webroot is generally reliable when it comes to ensuring cybersecurity and the privacy of the users. However, they do have a detailed manuscript pertaining to their privacy policies, which, to be honest, is not easy to read. If you wish to understand the gist of it, you should know that the company will not register or store any of your personal data, and DNS data, or Internet Protocol addresses.
While working with Webroot, you can rest assured that you have all the privacy and security.
Speed and Performance of Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN
In the speed and performance analysis done by Max Eddy of PCMag employing their specialized Ookla performance and speed-test toolkit, it was found that Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN enhanced the latency rate by almost 85 percent, declined download speed by 69 percent, and upload speed by almost 85 percent.
Note:- The test results were published by Max Eddy in his technical blog, and he noted that the tests were performed against a defined baseline.
If you want to know about the Ookla Speedtest toolkit and procedures and metrics employed by Max Eddy of PCMag, then kindly visit the following link: https://in.pcmag.com/vpn-1/132160/webroot-wi-fi-security-vpn.
Conclusion
Despite the simple nature and disappointing performance, Webroot Wi-Fi Security VPN still holds a good reputation among the users simply because of Webroot’s credibility and the product’s affordability. If you want a standard VPN with no extraneous features at a bargain price, then you should definitely go for it.
Comments