Internet users in the Philippines generally enjoy a higher degree of freedom of access and expression than their counterparts in Southeast Asia. This right is affirmed in the Philippine Constitution, which deems it vital for all citizens. So why are VPNs important in the Philippines?
Currently, there seems to be a battle between the increasingly authoritarian Philippine government, which wants to impose more restrictions, and ordinary citizens who are trying to restore their rights. The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 seeks to regulate the Internet more strictly, but other branches of government provide the necessary checks and balances.
To ensure safe internet browsing in the Philippines, we recommend using a virtual private network (VPN). This is a handy software that maintains your online anonymity by encrypting traffic to and from your device and transmitting it through an intermediary server abroad. Hackers and surveillance services stay out. VPN is a great way to connect to your favorite content and streaming services from anywhere.
NordVPN
Our all-in-one VPN, NordVPN, is our top and #1 recommendation in the Philippines. With its vast network of servers, NordVPN makes it easy to unblock any blocked streaming service or website. Connect to one of NordVPN’s 5,500 servers in over 60 countries and unblock almost anything.
NordVPN is one of the most trusted VPN services to unblock any streaming service like DAZN, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Netflix, Sling TV and many more. When it comes to security, NordVPN offers strong security features like 256-bit encryption, CyberSec to block malware and ads, DNS leak protection, and more.
It also uses DoubleVPN technology for secondary encryption of data. All these features hide your identity and keep you safe online in the Philippines, where cybercrime is rampant.
NordVPN has P2P-optimized servers that can perform torrents without revealing your real IP address. Mac, iOS, Windows, Android TV, Windows, Android, and routers are all devices and platforms that NordVPN is compatible with routers.
SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark may not be a household name yet, but it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. This relatively new brand has put up some impressive numbers and has good features and a small price tag.
The app is user-friendly, highly encrypted, and works with all the major streaming services like Netflix and iBBC. It offers a limited number of VPN protocols, but currently the most important ones, including OpenVPN (TCP and UDP).
Surprisingly, Surfshark is very fast in the Philippines, despite not having a direct server in the country. This is partly because we are forced to connect through our nearest neighbor Malaysia.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access has one of the largest selections of servers of any VPN. With over 35,550 servers to choose from, it surpasses all other VPNs on this list. This means that users have a better chance of finding a less popular server that offers faster download and streaming speeds. Users in the Philippines can also take advantage of 24 different servers that are actually located within the country.
As the name of the VPN suggests, anonymity is the main focus here. The company has a strict no-logging policy and is known for its commitment to user privacy. You can ensure your online anonymity in a number of ways, including WireGuard, Shared Tunnel, SOCKS5 proxies, and tracker and malware blocking tools. You can also choose between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, the latter being more secure but slightly slower.
The only real downside to PIA is the inconsistent download speeds, as some servers are significantly faster than others. However, you can still access Netflix US and BBC iPlayer quite reliably, and there’s 24/7 customer support should you have any issues. Private Internet Access also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have 30 days to decide if this VPN is right for you.
TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a Canadian-based VPN provider that can offer impressive security for online users in the Philippines. It’s pretty easy to use; you rarely have to do more than click to connect to a server from one of its 20+ free locations. However, this does not include the Philippines.
For those with very basic and minimal VPN usage requirements in the Philippines, TunnelBear is a good choice as it offers a low bandwidth limit (500MB/month, which can be extended to 1.5GB/month if you tweet) and no support for torrents.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great VPN option in the Philippines for a number of reasons. It is a very reliable and trustworthy VPN that implements strong OpenVPN encryption and a solid privacy policy.
The VPN has everything you need to protect your data from the government. It also has important features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a stealth mode that prevents ISPs from detecting VPN usage (to overcome bandwidth limitations).
The servers are located in 94 countries, all of which offer super-fast connections for streaming. The VPN works on all major platforms and can be used on up to five devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can use the VPN risk-free to make sure it works for you.
Summary
If you live or visit the Philippines, it is recommended to use a virtual private network to protect and enhance your online activities.
By using a VPN – like NordVPN, which is the best in my opinion – you’ll protect your online travels from surveillance and tracking, keep your browsing sessions private, and never have to worry about other people knowing what files you share or movies you watch.
AWSM TIPS
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