Millions of websites worldwide were found vulnerable to cyberattacks this week after an AI uncovered a flaw in their code. The issue was discovered in PHP, a programming language that powers around 70% of all websites.
Following the news, organisations including government agencies, schools, Wikimedia, and the BBC took some of their websites offline to address the issue and avoid leaving themselves open to attacks. While the threat won't affect most individuals, the scale of the issue highlights the need for robust online security, prompting many to turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for safer browsing.
How VPNs protect users
A VPN from brands like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN adds an extra layer of security to computers, laptops, and smartphones, protecting users from online threats and cyberattacks. They keep personal information such as email addresses, passwords, and browsing habits private, while also shielding users from viruses and malicious software.
VPNs can block harmful web content and detect suspicious texts, calls, and emails, helping users avoid scams and phishing attempts. They can also unlock geo-blocked content that's usually only accessible from certain countries. VPNs work by masking a device's IP address, its unique identifier, so it appears to be logged on from another location.
Surfshark's early Black Friday sale
Surfshark has launched an early Black Friday sale with prices starting from £1.79 per month. The sale has seen prices drop by up to 88% on its Surfshark One subscription, now at £1.79 per month, equal to roughly 6p per day, and includes three months of additional service.
This subscription includes antivirus, scam protection, and a rotating IP address. Surfshark customers can use the VPN on unlimited devices simultaneously, with access to servers in 100 countries, though it tends to be slightly slower than rival providers. A caveat is that it must be paid upfront at £48.33, which provides 27 months of service that usually costs £393.93. More flexible 12-month and one-month subscriptions are available, but these are priced higher at up to £16.69 per month.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN options
ExpressVPN is another highly-rated provider, awarded five stars in a review. It may be the most expensive of the three services, but it offers some of the best features and speeds on the market, with servers in 113 countries. Tools like ExpressMailGuard hide one's real email address with disposable aliases, and the ExpressKeys password manager can create strong, unique passwords and store unlimited logins and card details. ExpressVPN is reliable for unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix, though users should check streamers' policies on VPN usage. There is a device limit of 12. Its most popular Advanced subscription is now £3.49 per month, including four months of extra service, and must be paid upfront at £97.72 (was £363.72).
NordVPN is also running an early Black Friday sale with up to 77% off and an additional three months of service. The mid-range Complete subscription is now £2.99 per month for 27 months, offering features similar to Surfshark including scam protection and malware defense. NordVPN claims to be the 'fastest' on the market and offers Dark Web monitoring of data leaks. It can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously. A key selling point is its encrypted cloud storage, with 1TB included with its Complete plan, and servers in more than 165 countries. NordVPN Complete costs £80.73 (was £366.93) for 27 months, paid upfront.
