CyberGhost VPN is a virtual private network service that protects user data and online behaviour using advanced encryption techniques. In addition to VPN, CyberGhost offers several useful add-ons such as antivirus protection and a dedicated IP address. It is a popular service, boasting 38 million users and operating more than 9,000 servers across dozens of countries.

Founder and CEO Robert Knapp launched the CyberGhost company in 2011, though it was later acquired by Kape Technologies in 2017. In addition to CyberGhost VPN, Kape also owns NordVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA) and ZenMate. The brand is currently headquartered in Bucharest, Romania.

Similar to many other VPNs, CyberGhost functions by obfuscating your data with military-grade encryption, thwarting easy access by third parties. The shielded information encompasses your data, identity, and online endeavors.

As per the company’s claims, CyberGhost VPN secures data through AES 256-bit encryption and operates on RAM servers, which have remained invulnerable to hacking attempts. The sole documented incident involved a 2020 Typeform breach that affected slightly over a hundred CyberGhost customers.

What distinguishes CyberGhost VPN from its competitors is the company’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding user privacy, epitomized by the establishment of “no spy servers.” Unlike many VPNs that rely on third-party data centers to mask user data and activities, CyberGhost took proactive steps to address potential vulnerabilities.

To circumvent the uncertainty associated with third-party data centers, CyberGhost established in-house “no spy” servers at its Romanian headquarters. These servers are entirely self-maintained and operate end-to-end, ensuring the highest level of protection for customer information. This approach shields user data from intrusive advertisers and potential government threats. CyberGhost’s self-professed “paranoia” prompted the brand to consider measures beyond the ordinary, ensuring that user data remains secure and beyond the reach of malicious entities.

Pros

Advantages of signing up for CyberGhost VPN include:

• Competitive pricing: CyberGhost VPN is an affordable option when compared to similar services. Paying for a two-year contract may cost less than what you’d pay annually with some VPN service providers.
• Internet speed: By selecting “best location,” CyberGhost links you to the fastest nearby server for maximum internet speeds, letting you stream shows or movies and enjoy gaming without lag.
• Dedicated IP address: Instead of sharing an IP with other users, CyberGhost gives you the option to set up your own dedicated IP address, letting you add another layer of privacy.
• Antivirus and security add-ons: CyberGhost provides downloadable antivirus protection on Windows. Should it come across a threat, it automatically blocks and quarantines it.
• Thousands of servers worldwide: CyberGhost VPN has more than 9,000 servers across 91 countries. No matter where you are in the world, there is a fast and easy-to-access option nearby.
• Access to “no spy” servers: By upgrading to a six-month or annual service, you can use CyberGhost’s “no spy” servers, servers that are maintained end-to-end in-house and cannot be accessed by a third party.

Cons

Some drawbacks to using CyberGhost VPN are:

• Paid plan required to get “free” trial: You can test out CyberGhost VPN for free, but only for about a day. The closest you can get to a trial is by signing up for the service and taking advantage of the money-back guarantee.
• Parent company concerns: CyberGhost was purchased by Kape Technologies, which also owns popular VPN services such as ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Some have expressed concerns about Kape’s policies and behaviours and worry it might negatively impact the quality or reliability of CyberGhost VPN.
• Not as many servers as some competitors: While having more than 9,000 generally guarantees ease of access to VPN servers across the globe, there are rival VPN services with many more servers to choose from.

CyberGhost VPN’s main draw is its privacy and protection measures, which are maintained through several core features.

Anonymous Browsing

By concealing your actual IP address, CyberGhost VPN ensures the concealment of your online activities and login details from prying eyes. Additionally, the company offers a complimentary private browser that not only loads quickly but also inhibits the storage of your online traces. In either case, you can surf the internet with confidence, enjoying both security and anonymity.

DNS Protection Measures

While employing a VPN significantly decreases the likelihood of encountering an inadvertent DNS leak, it does not offer an absolute guarantee. In the event that your operating system reverts to default settings, your information might revert to an unprotected, non-VPN pathway. To mitigate this risk, CyberGhost employs various protective measures, such as a kill switch and a steadfast commitment to a “no logs” policy. Even before enrollment, CyberGhost’s website conducts a “DNS leak” test on your system to preemptively address potential vulnerabilities.

Dedicated IP

While utilizing a VPN, you usually share an IP address with changing users in each session. This differs from a dedicated IP, which remains constant regardless of how frequently you log in; it is a static IP exclusively assigned to you and accessible across all your devices. A dedicated IP not only ensures a genuinely private and exclusive internet browsing experience but also shields you from potential IP bans resulting from the actions of other VPN users.

Kill Switch

For internet users placing a premium on privacy and security, a kill switch is indispensable. In the event of an unexpected disruption, your computer may attempt an immediate reconnection to the internet, potentially exposing your data to risks.

CyberGhost VPN offers an automated kill switch that vigilantly monitors your connection. It promptly disconnects you from any unsecured connections for approximately 120 seconds, providing a safeguard until a new VPN connection is established. The convenience of this kill switch lies in its automatic functionality—requiring no setup or concerns about being permanently disconnected—allowing you to focus on securing your VPN configuration without worry.

Split Tunnelling

Split tunneling is a functionality that permits you to utilize a VPN for certain tasks while directly connecting to the internet for other activities. This becomes advantageous when you don’t need to conceal your precise location but still wish to ensure the security of your online endeavors.

With CyberGhost VPN, you have the option to configure the split tunneling feature, especially when establishing custom rules for Android. Simultaneously, the “Smart Rules” feature facilitates the creation of exceptions for websites that cannot be accessed through the VPN, adding flexibility to your online experience.

CyberGhost VPN is available for month-to-month, six-month and annual subscription service plans. The VPN’s standard service pricing is detailed in the table below.

At times, CyberGhost extends discounts on its two-year subscriptions, enabling users to enroll for as little as $2.19 USD ($2.98 CAD) per month. This payment, made upfront, covers a span of approximately two years. Subsequent to this duration, the pricing reverts to the standard annual subscription rate, which may undergo adjustments. For accurate details on the post-discount annual price, it is advisable to consult with the company.

While CyberGhost VPN presents pricing options for monthly, biannual, and annual subscriptions, the pricing page lacks explicit comparisons among the various service types. Features such as simultaneous connections and the automatic kill switch appear to be standard across all pricing plans. The primary distinction between the plans appears to be the duration of the subscription.

Free Trial

CyberGhost offers a relatively brief free trial, providing potential customers with a 24-hour access window—a duration that may not offer a comprehensive impression. The approach suggests that users might find it more advantageous to opt for premium features and utilize the company’s money-back guarantee if unsatisfied. Despite the limited trial period, there are no hidden traps or gimmicks. Notably, there is no requirement to disclose credit card information for access, and all features are fully accessible without any payment.

If you decide to subscribe but find the service unsatisfactory, the refund window varies based on your service plan. Monthly subscribers have a 14-day period from sign-up to avail themselves of the money-back guarantee, while this window extends to 45 days for those with subscriptions lasting six months or more.

To initiate your CyberGhost VPN software, the initial step involves creating an account. Upon establishing your account and selecting a password, you are presented with options for configuring a monthly, biannual, or two-year paid subscription. Additionally, CyberGhost furnishes a personal unblocking key (PUK) for account access in case of lockout.

Post-purchase, you can input the activation key to commence using your subscription. Upon logging in, you have the option to enhance your VPN experience by opting for the “best location.” This allows CyberGhost to automatically select a nearby server that aligns with your current location and desired speed.

Setting up and utilizing a VPN service like CyberGhost may appear daunting to those unacquainted with the platform. However, the service is designed with optimization and preconfiguration during installation, ensuring a user-friendly experience for most Windows and Mac users. While Linux users may need to make some adjustments, CyberGhost offers assistance for getting started through a series of guides on downloading and installing the service.

Locating and updating certain features, such as configuring Wi-Fi connection alerts and the automatic kill switch, may pose a slightly greater challenge than others. However, comprehensive guides are available, and customer service is accessible to assist with any questions or issues that may arise during the setup process.

CyberGhost VPN is available to customers in 91 countries, in 117 distinct locations, with more than 8,000 servers to choose from. The chart below shows where you can access its many servers around the world.

While the United States boasts a higher number of server networks compared to other countries, these servers are distributed across various cities. For example, Los Angeles has more than 100 servers, and New York City has 300 servers. In contrast, certain countries concentrate all their servers in a single city; São Paulo hosts all 60 server networks in Brazil.

Optimizations vary, with some locations featuring servers specifically designed for fast P2P torrenting, while others position server networks within the national borders. It is advisable to select a VPN server in close proximity to your location, as the distance can impact performance.

It is popular to use a VPN in a different country as a means of not only hiding your location but accessing services from blocked streaming providers, such as Hulu or Netflix. But do so with caution, as some providers will lock users out of their accounts if this behaviour is noticed.

We tested CyberGhost VPN’s speed on a Windows 11 machine using Ookla’s publicly available speed test. When compared to other popular VPN services, we found CyberGhost to be competitively fast and capable of maintaining decent performance. Results may vary depending on the server and its location.

CyberGhost provides various security measures to ensure not only customer privacy but also instill trust and peace of mind. The subsequent sections outline these components, encompassing protocols and transparency reports.

CyberGhost Protocols

Currently, CyberGhost VPN supports three different security protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard. To reduce future security risks, CyberGhost discontinued support for PPTP and L2TP protocols as of April 2022.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN, an open-source VPN, operates through a secure point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP). This protocol utilizes secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption to safeguard shared data, employing AES-256 encryption to maintain privacy. The advantage of OpenVPN being open source lies in its accessibility, enabling anyone to identify potential vulnerabilities and address them.

WireGuard

WireGuard, an open-source VPN communication protocol, was initially crafted for Linux users but subsequently adapted for Microsoft and Apple devices. Its functionality involves establishing an encryption tunnel between the device and the VPN server, with a primary focus on optimizing both speed and security.

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange Version 2)

Created through a collaborative effort involving Microsoft and Cisco, IKEv2 functions as a tunneling protocol designed to secure communication between a VPN client and server. This is achieved by establishing a security association (SA) for negotiating the security keys of both the client and server.

AES-256 Encryption

When utilizing public Wi-Fi, known for its security vulnerabilities, CyberGhost VPN safeguards data by directing it through a 256-bit AES encryption tunnel between your device and the internet. This encryption is end-to-end, converting understandable data into unreadable ciphertext that can only be deciphered with the corresponding key. Users can opt for automatic activation with a warning for new Wi-Fi connections. One minor inconvenience is the potential for additional pop-up windows upon detecting a new network on your device.

Transparency Reports

In an effort to maintain transparency with its extensive user base, CyberGhost issues a transparency report every quarter, a shift from the previous annual release pattern since 2019. These reports highlight essential statistics concerning the brand’s infrastructure and the volume of legal requests received. CyberGhost asserts its non-cooperation with authorities while keeping the community informed about the status of these requests.

Concerns persist among individuals regarding the safety of VPNs and their ability to safeguard privacy. In the case of CyberGhost, the brand employs multiple methods to maximize the security of customer identities, activities, and data. Specific examples of these security measures are outlined below.

NoSpy Servers

Operated independently by CyberGhost, the NoSpy servers are asserted by the company to diminish the likelihood of interference and exposure to third parties. Additionally, all of your data traffic is safeguarded through 256-AES encryption, recognized as the gold standard encryption algorithm.

Dedicated IP Address

CyberGhost provides a dedicated IP address feature for an extra cost, a characteristic not commonly found in individual VPN services but typically integral to most business VPN plans.

Opting for a dedicated IP means you exclusively connect to the VPN network with an unchanging IP address, avoiding the shared IP addresses used by most VPNs, where multiple users share the same IP. While shared IPs are generally acceptable, they may lead to the “bad neighbor effect,” where illicit activities by other VPN users could result in the blocking of the IP address.

Having a dedicated IP prevents such issues, though it comes with an additional expense. One drawback is that websites can recognize your internet traffic patterns since your IP address remains constant when using the VPN. CyberGhost addresses this concern by offering the flexibility to switch between dedicated IPs and dynamic IPs, which change and are shared with other VPN users, at your discretion.

No Logs Policy

Highlighted as one of the core service features by CyberGhost, it employs a stringent no-logs policy, ensuring that customer anonymity remains intact, even in the face of numerous legal requests for user information. The company’s commitment to a no-logs policy means it refrains from storing any personal data, including browsing history, domain name system (DNS) queries, connection timestamps, bandwidth usage, and accessed web content.

This practice is adopted to prevent any contribution to third-party surveillance by government agencies, hackers, or other potentially untrustworthy entities. Additionally, the brand prioritizes online browsing safety and privacy concerns.

You can access customer support 24/7 through CyberGhost’s live chat function. At any time, you can also fill out a support request form. There is also a robust online tutorial where you can access articles and see the latest news such as whether there are any servers that are unavailable.

Supporting a wide range of devices and platforms, CyberGhost VPN seamlessly works across laptops to smartphones. With a single subscription, users can employ CyberGhost on up to seven devices simultaneously, offering more flexibility compared to other services that may restrict usage to one or two devices at a time.

What Platforms Does CyberGhost Support?

CyberGhost VPN is optimized for Windows, Mac and Linux; certain services may be available for some platforms and device types but not others, so it is best to confirm ahead of signing up for service.

How Many Devices Can You Use At Once?

A single subscription to CyberGhost VPN enables simultaneous usage on up to seven devices. Should the need arise for more connections, creating additional accounts may be necessary.

While many avoid using VPNs due to concerns about slower browsing speeds affecting streaming capabilities, CyberGhost stands out by being optimized for a 10 Gbps operation, making it a reliable choice for streaming. Utilizing its fastest servers, users can enjoy streaming services like Netflix and Hulu without experiencing lags or constant buffering. Additionally, CyberGhost facilitates access to geo-restricted games and videos for international users.

While there might be instances where CyberGhost faces challenges in accessing certain streams that other services can handle, and there could be difficulties connecting to a stream if the VPN goes down, it remains an excellent option for streaming overall.

CyberGhost vs. PIA

While once direct rivals, the Kape acquisition has forged a kind of sibling relationship between CyberGhost and PIA. Nevertheless, their VPN services differ, providing grounds for favoring one over the other.

CyberGhost surpasses PIA in terms of global availability and offers significantly higher streaming speeds. In contrast, PIA excels with a broader server network worldwide and compatibility with more simultaneous devices. PIA extends a lengthier free trial period, yet CyberGhost subscribers may potentially secure a refund within 45 days, compared to PIA’s 30-day refund policy.

CyberGhost VPN vs. TorGuard VPN

In our VPN speed assessments, TorGuard VPN outperforms CyberGhost VPN. However, in terms of security, CyberGhost holds a stronger reputation. TorGuard has experienced a significant breach in the past, and its transparency regarding the impact has not been as transparent as some users would like. Notably, TorGuard lacks a transparency report. Users prioritizing openness and a reduced risk of data leaks may find CyberGhost to be a more suitable choice.

Furthermore, CyberGhost comes at a lower cost compared to TorGuard, all the while utilizing nearly three times as many servers.

CyberGhost vs. NordVPN

CyberGhost beats NordVPN in pricing, the number of server networks, locations and usage across simultaneous devices. One area where NordVPN was superior was internet speed, reaching 357.46 Mbps compared to CyberGhost’s 299.14 Mbps.

NordVPN was part of the security breach that also impacted TorGuard VPN and VikingVPN, but the leak reportedly didn’t get beyond a single server. That said, the potential for such instances may make some lean toward CyberGhost, which has yet to experience a direct security breach.

Safeguard your Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux devices, along with gaming consoles, smart TVs, and routers by utilizing CyberGhost VPN.

Similar to many other VPNs, CyberGhost caters to individuals seeking to circumvent geo-blocking restrictions and engage in online browsing with anonymity and security. It effectively fulfills these requirements.

In the end, CyberGhost adapts to customer requirements, serving both personal and business needs. While primarily designed for individual users, as detailed below, we believe that CyberGhost is versatile enough to be suitable for both personal and business purposes.

CyberGhost for Personal Use

CyberGhost stands out as a favored option for non-business purposes due to its impressive internet speed, making it excellent not just for streaming TV shows and games but also for live-streaming events. Numerous online users may seek to access shows that are restricted without the use of a VPN. The protective stance of CyberGhost towards user information, where it refrains from providing requested data to government authorities, renders it an ideal choice for those with political considerations or individuals looking to bypass censorship.

CyberGhost for Business Use

Companies aiming to secure a range of sensitive information, from proprietary company data to customer credit card details, are showing a growing interest in VPN services. While CyberGhost’s dedicated IP service and ability to be used simultaneously on multiple devices could be suitable for smaller businesses, larger enterprises might require additional accounts or a more robust security service.

The installation process for CyberGhost VPN was quick and straightforward on both desktop and Android devices. While a premium account is required to use the service on Android, the Windows-compatible desktop version allowed us to test the program for free. Upon downloading, CyberGhost VPN launched promptly, and once logged in, users could customize the tool to their preferences, deciding whether to upgrade and continue using it.

After the initial 24-hour window, users need to sign up to maintain access to the VPN. Importantly, there are no automatic charges, offering users the opportunity to experience the service without being forcibly committed to a subscription. However, the brief trial period may pose a challenge for making an informed decision.

In conclusion, our experience revealed that CyberGhost VPN is a highly capable and fast VPN that doesn’t cause noticeable speed issues during internet browsing or video streaming.

Exploring CyberGhost VPN in 2024: Features, Pricing, and More

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