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F-Secure VPN Review Methodology
Geekflare tested F-Secure through hands-on subscriptions.
What is F-Secure VPN?
Initially known as Data Fellows, the company rebranded to F-Secure in 1999.
Their VPN service, previously known as Freedome VPN, has been rebranded as F-Secure VPN.
F-Secure VPN Features
F-Secure VPN offers essential features for a secure and private online experience.
It supports OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) and IKEv2 protocols.
Encryption ensures data is scrambled, so only you and your intended recipient can access it.
As expected, the data remains unreadable and secure during transmission.
Kill Switch
F-Secure VPN includes akill switchthat disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
This prevents your IP and data from being exposed and maintains privacy during disruptions.
To test the capability of F-Secure VPNs Kill switch, I used aPage Reloaderto simulate automatic page refreshes.
This helped me monitor whether the kill switch effectively stopped data transmission when the VPN connection was lost.
I connected to an F-Secure VPN server and tested onbrowserleaks.comto check for DNS leaks.
The results showed only the VPNs DNS servers, confirming that F-Secure VPN passed the DNS leak test.
To check for WebRTC leaks, I connected to F-Secure VPN and visitedbrowserleaks.com.
The test confirmed that the public and remote IPs were protected, indicating no WebRTC leaks.
Trusted Networks
F-Secure VPNsTrusted Networksfeature allows you to mark specific Wi-Fi networks as trusted.
This setting permits connections to other devices within the same online grid while the VPN remains active.
Of course, these local devices need to use the same, trusted connection connection.
App Bypass (Split Tunneling)
F-Secure VPN includes anApp Bypassfeature, a form of split tunneling.
This allows you to select applications that can bypass the VPN and connect directly to the internet.
Enabling App Bypass ensures that certain apps continue to function without disruptions from VPN restrictions.
However, bypassed traffic remains unprotected and could be exposed to tracking.
Public Wi-Fi can expose your data to cybercriminals, but this feature ensures that your connection is encrypted automatically.
This proactive protection helps you avoid potential threats before they can exploit vulnerabilities.
This is vital for preventing exposure to sites that may compromise your data or machine.
F-Secure VPN Servers: How Do They Perform?
F-Secure VPN offers servers in more than 20 countries.
When you connect to the internet, your gear is assigned an address that reveals your location.
I conducted the following tests to evaluate its real-time performance.
My base speeds were around 60Mbps for download and upload.
F-Secure VPN showedexcellent performanceduring testing.
Long-distance servers had a20-30% speed drop, which, although more noticeable, did not affect general streaming.
Accessing websites was smooth and free of delays, regardless of the server used.
During testing, I successfullyunblockedNetflix librariesand accessed region-specific platforms.
For example, connecting to aUK serverenabled me to watchChannel 5, which is restricted to the UK.
This confirms that F-Secure VPN is capable of bypassing censorship and providing access to restricted content.
This location is advantageous for privacy-conscious users, as Finland has stringent data protection laws.
The VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not monitor or record your online activities.
However, like many VPN providers, it collects minimal data to enhance service quality and user experience.
The information collected cannot be used to identify or track individual users, ensuring your privacy remains intact.
Is F-Secure VPN Reliable?
This is frustrating for users who seek ease and consistency.
To verify its reliability, I have tested the key aspects users consider essential before purchasing a VPN.
The interface is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing users to choose and connect to servers effortlessly.
The apps clear layout and simple navigation contribute to an overall hassle-free user experience.
Knowledge Base
F-Secure has a limited knowledge base.
This gap makes it challenging for users who prefer self-service options to resolve issues independently.
This allowed for quicker resolutions to issues.
What Is The Difference Between F-Secure Total and VPN?
F-Secure VPN is a standalone tool dedicated to privacy and secure online browsing.
Heres a comparison to give you insights into what each option provides.
This all-in-one package provides everything needed to stay secure online and offers:
Why Choose F-Secure Total?
Opting for F-Secure Total provides a more robust solution than only F-Secure VPN.
Choosing F-Secure VPN alone is sufficient for those focused solely on privacy and online anonymity.
Notably, there areno renewal fees, making long-term budgeting more predictable.
you might purchase additional security and privacy features as add-ons:
Where Does F-Secure VPN Lack?
Despite its solid performance, F-Secure VPN falls short in a few key areas.
Lets take a detailed look at each.
F-Secure VPN Pros
F-Secure VPN provides 7 major advantages.
Is F-Secure VPN Right for You?
Moreover, its low annual pricing (for 1 unit) ensures a value-based offering for most users.
Plus, its ability to bypass geo-restrictions and provide consistent speeds makes it preferable for streaming and secure browsing.
However, if youre an advanced user, Id recommend other VPN services.
It doesnt offer advanced features like tracker blocking, and its virtual servers raise security concerns.
For power users, F-Secure VPN falls short by a significant margin.
