Private Internet Access VPN Review—Is It Secure?
In 2023, there were 3,205 data compromises in the U.S., which is a 72% surge from the 1,860 reported in 2021[1]. Cyber attacks are also becoming more difficult to counter, and conventional security measures alone may not effectively protect against sophisticated attacks. This has caused increased reliance on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for enhanced online security. Among the many VPNs available, Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN has gained recognition for its affordability, transparency, and security.
This Private Internet Access VPN review will examine the security features, performance, and user-friendliness of the service, helping you determine if it's the right choice for your online security needs. It will also introduce a practical way to shield your sensitive financial details from third parties.
Disclaimer: The data is valid as of June 2024. The features of PIA VPN may change after this review is published.
Private Internet Access VPN Features
To enhance its users' online safety, Private Internet Access VPN offers features that can be grouped into the following categories:
- Privacy and security features
- Speed and performance
- Server network
- Device compatibility and support
- Pricing
- User experience and customer support
Privacy and Security Features
PIA VPN boasts a suite of security features designed to protect users' online privacy and data. It uses 128-bit AES as the default recommended encryption, providing a solid layer of security while maintaining optimal speed. For users seeking an even higher level of security, there's an option to switch to AES 256, a more complex encryption standard[2]. The VPN supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, as well as IPSec for iOS users, allowing users to find the right balance between security and performance[3].
PIA VPN employs RAM-only servers, meaning that any information processed during the VPN's session is wiped clean upon disconnection, boosting online privacy.
Other security features[4] PIA VPN offers are:
- Kill switch—A crucial safeguard that immediately disconnects the user's internet connection if the VPN connection drops, reducing the risk of data exposure.
- Split tunneling—A feature that allows the user to choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet.
- PIA MACE—A built-in ad-blocking feature that minimizes exposure to ads, trackers, and malware across all devices, reducing the risk of encountering potentially harmful content.
- No-logs policy—PIA VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, which means that the provider doesn't store any data about users' online activities.
- Obfuscation—This feature disguises VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, enhancing online privacy.
- Multihop—PIA VPN can route traffic through multiple servers, boosting confidentiality and privacy.
Speed and Performance
A recent experiment[5] established that PIA VPN can reduce base speed by up to 49%, a significant but often necessary trade-off for enhanced security and privacy. A different test[6] established that the VPN's speed should be sufficient for most online activities, from browsing to streaming. Here's how the VPN stacks up against the competition[6]:
These speeds can vary depending on several factors. For example, connecting to a geographically distant server can result in slower speeds due to the increased data travel distance. Choosing a congested server may also slow down the VPN connection.
Server Network
While the VPN doesn't disclose the exact number of servers, its network spans 91 countries. As of the time of writing, the servers are distributed across four regions[9]:
- Europe
- Americas
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East, Africa & Central Asia
Such a wide distribution of servers ensures that users can find a server close to where they want their traffic to originate from, optimizing the VPN's speed and allowing easy access to remote content. It also increases the chances of finding an uncrowded server, improving the VPN's performance.
Device Compatibility and Support
PIA VPN is compatible with various devices and operating systems[8], including:
- Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 (32 or 64-bit)
- macOS (64-bit only) 11.0 or newer
- Linux (64-bit and desktop)
- Android 5.1 or newer (mobile devices)
- iOS 12.1 or newer (64-bit devices)
- Consoles, Smart TVs, and routers
The table below breaks down how to install PIA VPN on these platforms after the user has signed up for the service:
Unlike most VPNs that limit the number of devices individuals can connect to the VPN server at the same time, Private Internet Access VPN doesn't have a cap on the number of simultaneous connections.
Pricing
PIA VPN has three pricing plans[7]:
- Monthly plan—Priced at $11.95 per month.
- Yearly plan—Costs $3.33 per month, billed as $39.95 annually.
- 3 Years + 3 months plan—Offers the best value at $2.03 per month, billed as $79 for the first 39 months.
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Users can also opt for the Dedicated IP and Antivirus by PIA add-ons at an additional cost.
User Experience and Customer Support
PIA VPN offers a streamlined and intuitive user interface. The main screen presents a large power button, allowing users to activate or deactivate the VPN with one click. The server selection is straightforward, with a list of countries individuals can scroll through to choose their desired location.
The settings menu is clearly labeled, making it easy for users to customize their VPN experience. Options such as the kill switch, split tunneling, and PIA MACE are toggled with simple switches.
For customer support, users can reach out through:
- Live chat
- Help Center
- Community forum
PIA VPN's Limitations
Like other providers, PIA VPN protects sensitive information in transit only. Once the data is outside the secure tunnel, it becomes vulnerable to risks. Some of these potential threats are:
- Merchant data breaches—If hackers infiltrate a merchant's servers, any data exchanged during a transaction could be compromised, potentially exposing your payment information to thieves.
- Stores that don't use SSL to encrypt traffic—When a website uses SSL, the data exchanged (such as login credentials, payment details, and personal information) is encrypted, making it difficult for malicious actors to intercept or tamper with. If an online store doesn't use SSL, the payment details you provide during checkout are transmitted in plain text, making them easy to read if stolen.
- Fake stores—Even though PIA VPN commits to safeguarding against malicious websites, new ones are created daily. It may take a while before the VPN blacklists them, creating a window of opportunity for cybercriminals to get people's financial information.
Other Ways To Stay Safe Online
Since PIA VPN cannot address all online threats, you should complement it with other security measures that can help reduce the risk of losing sensitive financial information to potential cybercriminals. Additional security methods to consider include:
- Looking for a secure connection—When accessing online stores, look for "https://" in the URL, which indicates that the site uses SSL encryption to protect your data during transmission.
- Learning how to spot potentially fraudulent websites—Look out for signs of suspicious activity, such as misspelled domain names, overly aggressive pop-ups, or requests for sensitive information without a valid reason.
- Avoid sending payment information over email—If the content of the email contains grammatical mistakes, you don't recognize the sender, or the sender asks for sensitive information, you should mark it as spam. You should also avoid clicking links and downloading attachments from such emails.
- Using virtual cards—These cards work like regular payment cards but replace your real financial info with unique details at checkout—card number, CVV, and expiration date. If you opt for a dedicated card provider like Privacy, you will also gain access to more customization options, advanced security, and more spending controls.
Use Privacy Virtual Cards To Mask Sensitive Details
Privacy Virtual Cards offer a robust layer of security that helps protect you where VPNs can't. These cards shield your actual financial information, helping boost your privacy and reducing the risk of your financial information getting into the wrong hands in case the merchant suffers a security breach.
As a BBB-accredited provider, Privacy uses bank-grade security measures to protect your sensitive data. Some of the key features are:
- Top-tier encryption—Privacy employs AES 256-bit encryption to protect your sensitive information.
- Transaction alerts—With Privacy, you receive instant notifications about account activities, allowing you to monitor your transactions closely and spot any potentially suspicious activity.
- Fraud protection—If you dispute a transaction, Privacy initiates an investigation. If it establishes that the transaction was fraudulent, Privacy files a chargeback against the merchant on your behalf, helping you recover lost funds and reinforce the security of your finances.
Privacy Card Types and Features
Privacy offers three types of virtual cards:
- Single-Use Cards
- Merchant-Locked Cards
- Category-Locked Cards
Here's a detailed look at these card types:
You can pause or close your Privacy Cards, and Privacy will block any further transaction. This feature can help protect your funds from unexpected charges when stopping a subscription.
Privacy also allows you to set spending limits on your cards, and any charge above the limit will be declined. This feature can protect you from unapproved charges by merchants or subscription services.
Convenience Features
Privacy offers several convenience features that make managing your online transactions even easier:
- Mobile app—Whether you use iOS or Android, the Privacy App is designed to provide a seamless experience for managing your virtual cards on the go. It allows you to create new cards, view transaction history, and adjust card settings right from your smartphone.
- Browser extension—The Privacy Browser Extension is available for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Safari for iOS. It autofills virtual card numbers each time you checkout online.
- Shared Cards—This feature can be useful when you need to share payment details with trusted individuals or services without exposing your actual bank information.
- Integration with 1Password—This integration allows you to use the password manager to generate, store, and autofill your virtual card details during online transactions, making online shopping effortless while maintaining high security standards.
How To Get Privacy Cards
To get your first Privacy Card, all you have to do is:
- Register
- Provide the required details to verify your identity
- Connect a funding source, such as your bank account or debit card
- Request and generate your card
Privacy has four monthly plans—Personal, Plus, Pro, and Premium. Here's a breakdown of what you can get with each option:
