4 Best Free VPN Chrome Extensions For Secure Browsing

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Introduction

More often than not, our online activities leave a trail behind that are followed by advertisers, government organisations, private companies, etc. Chrome offers built-in security features like site isolation (Offers extra protection from security bugs), predictive phishing protection (scans pages to identify fake or malicious sites), and sandboxing (layer of protection that safeguards from phishing and malware). However, despite this varied range of protection offered by Chrome, your data is not entirely secure and might fall victim to cyber-attacks. Therefore, in order to mitigate them, utilising a VPN for chrome that preserves the anonymity of your online browsing is a must.

Leveraging a free Chrome VPN extension will help you encrypt your online activities and will also help you bypass geo-blocks to access restricted content.

What Is A VPN?

A VPN, Virtual Private network, connects your computer to a remote server owned by a VPN service provider. This creates a point-to-point encryption that protects your personal data, masks your IP address, helps you evade website blocks and firewalls on the internet. VPNs also enable you to use public Wi-Fi spots safely by safeguarding your online identity.

Free VPN Vs Paid VPN

Free VPNs often come with limited features as compared to paid VPNs, have lesser bandwidth (slow data speed), access to limited servers and do not provide robust security. Contrary to these, the paid VPNs offer advanced security protocols, offer multiple server options to choose from and unlimited bandwidth. Paid VPNs do not sell user data, unlike certain free ones and the customer support that they offer is beyond excellence. Paid VPN services help navigate the geo restrictions and access prohibited content. Robust VPNs like Nord VPN, Proton VPN, Windscribe VPN, etc. offer a multitude of servers to choose from that help stream videos and access content by breaking through geo-blocks.

Best VPN Extensions For Chrome (Free)

1. Nord VPN

Nord VPN is one of the best free VPN chrome extensions that upscales your browsing experience by hiding your IP with physical location and encrypting your internet traffic. Developed by Nord Security (Nordsec Ltd), this VPN has applicability in a wide range of OS like Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Besides safeguarding user data through encryption, providing unparalleled browsing speed and blocking malicious sites, Nord VPN also provides features like threat protection, P2P sharing, double encryption and connection to the Tor network.

Features:

Allows safe browsing on public WiFi by hiding your IP.
Its ‘Threat Protection’ feature provides safety from malware hosting sites and potentially harmful ads.
This Chrome extension disables the WebRTC protocol which can reveal your IP and expose you to DDoS attacks.
The Nord VPN proxy offers ‘Split Tunneling’ which allows the user to specify which websites to access the real location and which get routed through the server.
Its NordLynx solution provides a browsing speed that is 84% or more of the actual speed.
Its has 5800 servers spread across 60 countires.

Pros

Unlimited bandwidth
High speed
Reliable threat protection
Kill switch
No logging policy

Cons

It does not have a completely free version
Free trial is applicable only on android devices

2. CyberGhost

This is a completely free chrome VPN extension owned by the company, Kape technologies. It offers massive coverage with over 10,218 servers in 100 countries. It provides 70% of the actual connection speed and works with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. Besides providing advanced encryption and a no-logs policy, the CyberGhost VPN offers additional features like gaming services, torrenting, specialized streaming, etc.

Features:

Built on Ethereum Blockchain technology; hence offers highly private and secure connection
Has a kill switch
Boasts a massive server fleet
Protects your site from ISP hackers, advertisers, private organisations

Pros

Chrome extension is totally free
Access to many servers
7 parallel connections at $2.11/ month
Specialized servers

Cons

The free version (Chrome extension) has fewer features
Connection problems in WireGuard

Also Read: Best Ad Blocker Extension For Chrome (Free & Paid)

3. ExpressVPN

With servers spread across 105 countries, ExpressVPN offers the best-in-class encryption (AES-256) alongside lightning fast browsing speed. It does not keep any record of your online activity making your browsing a completely secure experience. The ExpressVPN can connect up to 8 devices at once. Its robust encryption helps shield your identity from advertisers and cyber criminals ensuring all round protection of your data.

Features:

Offers location spoofing
Blocks WebRTC and HTTPS for safer connections
Offers 17 different languages and a dark mode theme
Its Chrome extension helps unblock multiple streaming services

Pros

Exceptional speed
P2P support
Unblocks majority streaming sites
Access to specialized servers

Cons

Pricey
No kill switch in Chrome extension
Fewer additional features

Also Read: Top 10 Free VPNs For Android – Fast, Safe & Secure (2023)

4. Surfshark VPN

This inexpensive Chrome VPN can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. The VPN depends on a no-logs policy that has undergone independent auditing, assuring users that their online activities will not be recorded or logged in any way. One factor contributing to this is its use of the WireGuard protocol, consistently demonstrating high speed in our tests by maintaining over 85% of the initial connection speed. Additionally, with a network of more than 3,200 servers across 100 countries, users can always find servers that are not overcrowded.

Features:

Has a kill switch
Offers split tunnelling
It incorporates an ad-blocking feature into the suite, aiding in the prevention of irritating pop-ups, banners, and various other forms of advertisements.

Also Read: Best uTorrent Alternatives For Faster & Safer Downloads

Pros