With the rise of cyber threats, it has become crucial to use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your online activities. A VPN offers a secure and encrypted connection that shields your internet traffic from prying eyes, including hackers, government surveillance, and other malicious actors. However, not all VPNs are created equal, and some may offer better protection against malware and phishing attacks than others. In this article, we’ll compare ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield and see which VPN offers better malware and phishing protection.
ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that is known for its high-speed connections, excellent security features, and wide server network. The company operates more than 3000 servers in 94 countries, making it one of the most extensive VPN networks in the industry. ExpressVPN uses the AES-256 encryption standard, which is considered unbreakable by most cybersecurity experts. Additionally, the VPN service uses various protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2, to ensure that your data is always protected.
On the other hand, Hotspot Shield is a VPN service that uses a proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol to provide fast and secure connections. The VPN service has more than 3200 servers in over 80 countries, and it also uses the AES-256 encryption standard to secure user data. Hotspot Shield claims that its protocol is faster and more secure than other VPN protocols, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize speed.
When it comes to malware and phishing protection, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer similar features. Both VPN services have built-in malware and phishing protection that helps to protect users from malicious websites and other online threats. ExpressVPN uses a feature called “TrustedServer,” which ensures that all VPN servers run on volatile memory, which means that all data is wiped clean when the server is rebooted. This feature helps to prevent malware and other viruses from being installed on the server.
Hotspot Shield, on the other hand, uses a feature called “Malware Protection.” This feature blocks malicious websites and prevents them from infecting your device with malware. Additionally, Hotspot Shield offers a built-in ad blocker that helps to prevent phishing attacks by blocking ads that could potentially lead to malicious websites.
Both VPN services also offer an additional layer of protection by blocking known malicious websites and phishing domains. ExpressVPN uses a feature called “DNS Protection,” which blocks malicious domains before they can resolve and load on your device. Hotspot Shield, on the other hand, uses a feature called “IP Leak Protection,” which blocks IP addresses that are known to be associated with phishing and malware attacks.
Overall, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer excellent malware and phishing protection. However, ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer feature, which ensures that all VPN servers run on volatile memory, provides an additional layer of protection against malware and other viruses. Hotspot Shield’s Malware Protection and ad blocker features are also useful in preventing phishing attacks. However, it’s worth noting that some users may find Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol to be a disadvantage, as it’s not as widely used or as transparent as other VPN protocols like OpenVPN.
In terms of pricing, ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than Hotspot Shield. ExpressVPN’s monthly plan costs $12.95 per month, while Hotspot Shield’s monthly plan costs $7.99 per month. However, both VPN services offer significant discounts if you opt for a longer subscription period. ExpressVPN offers a 49% discount on its annual plan, which costs $6.67 per month, while Hotspot Shield offers a 38% discount on its annual plan, which costs $4.99 per month.
When it comes to customer support, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer excellent service. ExpressVPN provides 24/7 live chat support, which is available in multiple languages. The company also has a comprehensive knowledge base with detailed articles and tutorials on how to set up and use the VPN service. Hotspot Shield also offers 24/7 live chat support, but it’s only available in English. The company also has an extensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials on how to use the VPN service.
Another factor to consider when choosing a VPN service is the availability of apps for different platforms. Both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Additionally, both VPN services offer browser extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
However, ExpressVPN goes one step further and provides apps for Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and routers. This means that you can use the VPN service on a wide range of devices and platforms, including gaming consoles, smart TVs, and more. Hotspot Shield, on the other hand, doesn’t provide apps for Linux or Amazon Fire TV, but it does have an app for routers.
One area where Hotspot Shield has an advantage over ExpressVPN is in its free version. Hotspot Shield offers a free version of its VPN service that has limited features but is still useful for basic online activities. The free version of Hotspot Shield is supported by ads and has a data limit of 500MB per day. This is a useful feature for users who want to try out the VPN service before committing to a paid plan.
ExpressVPN, on the other hand, doesn’t offer a free version of its VPN service. However, the company does provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means that you can try out the VPN service risk-free for a month. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you can get a full refund.
In conclusion, both ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield offer excellent malware and phishing protection. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer feature provides an additional layer of protection against malware and viruses, while Hotspot Shield’s Malware Protection and ad blocker features are useful in preventing phishing attacks. When it comes to pricing, ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than Hotspot Shield, but both VPN services offer significant discounts if you opt for a longer subscription period. Additionally, ExpressVPN provides apps for a wider range of devices and platforms, while Hotspot Shield has a free version of its VPN service. Ultimately, the choice between ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield depends on your specific needs and priorities.
