Think you’re safe online when you’re using your iPad? Think again. Most iPad users face a daily risk of identity theft or malware infection, especially over public Wi-Fi. Luckily, a VPN can help you stay safe while surfing on your iPad. Learn more about the risks of using the web on your iPad and how a VPN can protect you.
Why You Need to Be Careful Using Your iPad
Most people believe that since iPads are running on iOS that they are relatively secure. While they are more secure than Android devices or PCs, iPads are particularly at risk due to public Wi-Fi.
Most people don’t realize that Wi-Fi is generally unsecured, public Wi-Fi especially. When you go to McDonald’s, the local coffee shop or the airport, Wi-Fi networks are wide open to allow easy access. This easy access is perfect for hackers.
The way Wi-Fi works is that it broadcasts your data like a radio and like a radio, anyone with the appropriate device can listen in to your connection. This “sniffing” can result in hackers stealing your personal identity including passwords, credit card information and even your social security number.
Unsecured Wi-Fi can even be used to transfer malware to your device. Oh, you didn’t know that iPads could get malware? They can and iPad malware infections are increasing every year. Since most users don’t have any type of malware protection, infections can spread and become epidemics quick.
Get a VPN for Your iPad
Due to the number of threats now facing iPads, you need to install VPN onto your iPad. For starters, VPN will actively lock down your Wi-Fi connection. VPN establishes a secure tunnel that encrypts all of your data. Even if someone tries to sniff your connection, they will be unable to decrypt your data.
Next, VPN actively blocks many types of malware and malicious code. While it doesn’t work as an antivirus, it will block many infections by restricting third-party connections to your computer.
VPN also provides additional benefits to your daily surfing. With VPN, you can unlock geo-restricted content such as US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more. This is perfect when you’re traveling in countries that restrict sites like Facebook, Instagram, and ABC News.
How to Connect Your iPad to VPN
Setting up VPN on your iPad can be easily in just a few minutes. Many providers offer their own dedicated VPN app for iPad. If that’s the case then you can install the app quickly using the following steps:
- Go to the Apple Store and find the VPN app.
- Install the VPN app.
- Launch the VPN app.
- Select the server in the country you wish to connect to. Note that in lieu of country servers, some providers offer optimized servers for activities such as streaming.
- Click ‘connect.’
- Start using VPN on your iPad.
If your provider does not offer a dedicated app for iPad, then you will need to manually configure your device depending on which protocol you wish to use.
The most common of these protocols is OpenVPN. OpenVPN is one of the most widely used protocols because it offers strong security and is generally the easiest to configure. Other protocols include IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and Cisco IPSec.
For those that are new to VPN, we recommend either using a dedicated app or OpenVPN as they require the least technical expertise. If your provider requires you to manually configure your VPN, we recommend checking out their support section and following their step-by-step setup tutorials.
If you’re still undecided on which provider to use, we recommend checking out the following providers:
#1 ExpressVPN – The Ultra Fast VPN Service
ExpressVPN has a simple one-click iOS app for iPhone and iPad. With smart locations, you can connect to the fastest server in your desired country. ExpressVPN offers fast speeds over a large network of 148 locations. The app also has an automatic kills switch should your connection drop. The biggest drawback to this service is the price. Monthly service is $12.95 and you’ll still pay $9.99 a month for their six-month plan. Their annual plan offers the best pricing at $6.67 a month with three months tacked on for free.
Price:
- $12.95 a month
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Save 49% with an annual subscription – plus, enjoy three free months and an extended money-back period of 45 days.
Try Now ExpressVPN – Risk Free – 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on ExpressVPN features, read our extensive ExpressVPN review.
#2 NordVPN – Optimal Speed and Security Mix
NordVPN offers their own dedicated app for iOS devices with a smart intuitive interface. With military-grade encryption, you’ll never have to worry about your data being intercepted. They offer over 3,000 servers in 60 countries, meaning you can unblock website globally, even in China and the Middle East. With that said, many of NordVPN’s servers are clustered in Europe and North America. If you’re connecting to other locations, your option may be limited. Also, NordVPN doesn’t presently offer phone support.
NordVPN offers the best pricing for long-term contracts. Monthly service starts at $11.95 a month but you can save 52% or more with longer contracts. Their annual plan is just $5.75 a month while their two-year plan is only $3.29 a month. Try all plans with little risk with NordVPN’s 30-day money back guarantee.
Price:
- $11.95 per month
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Save 52% with an annual subscription
Try Now NordVPN – Risk Free – 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on NordVPN features, read our extensive NordVPN review.
#3 HideMyAss – The Veteran of The VPN Clients
HideMyAss Offers a dedicated app for iPad that allows one-click connectivity. Their network of servers in over 190 countries will easily allow you to get around geo-restrictions. HMA also offers automatic Wi-Fi protection, securing your connection over public Wi-Fi.
The only thing we don’t like about this provider is their logging policy. They adhere to the local laws on where their servers are located. This means some servers may track your activities and they also admit that they keep connection logs for three months.
HMA’s monthly service will set you back $11.52 monthly. Their six and 12-month plans offer deep discounts. Six-months of service is available at $8.33 monthly or you can sign up for a year’s service at $6.56 a month. All plans have a 30-day money back guarantee.
Price:
- $11.99 per month.
- $6.99 per month for a yearly subscription.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try Now HideMyAss – Risk Free – 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on HideMyAss features, read our extensive HideMyAss review.
Lock Down Your iPad With VPN
While iPads are much more secure than PCs or Android devices, they are still vulnerable, especially over public Wi-Fi. Hackers are constantly looking for ways to exploit these vulnerabilities and it is just a matter of when, not if, your device will be infected.
A VPN will lock down your iPad and keep your protected from the ever-growing number of threats for iPads. By regularly using VPN on your iPad and over public Wi-Fi, you will stay one step ahead of hackers and stay safe and secure while surfing the web.