Downloading and setting up a secure VPN for Android is very easy. To make use of the secure VPN servers, you need to choose a VPN service, a VPN protocol, and a server location. A secure VPN connection for your Android phone or table while using shared wifi (or even your home wifi, because they're pretty easy to crack these days) means that you'll be invisible to attacks.

VPN Services & Reviews

There are many VPN services available, and even more reviews of their service. One thing to watch out for though is that many reviews are based on commissions, so you'll see some services repeated over and over not because they're really high quality, but because they give out lots of money for advertisement. In all honest, the only VPN reviews that you can really trust are those from people who have a blog about their personal life and happened to review a VPN service. Unfortunately, these types of reviews are often incomplete or unprofessional. The professional reviews will most likely make a commission, but some are done better than others. Look for full disclosure and reviews that highlight both the good and bad about each service.

VPN Protocols

The two standard types of VPNs for Android security are PPTP and L2TP. PPTP is a faster style of VPN, but lack s in security features when compared to L2TP. L2TP is a second generation VPN that makes some serious improvements on the older, PPTP version. It also uses more advanced encryption called IPSec (168-bit). Sometimes L2TP doesn't use IPSec encryption though, so if good encryption is a requirement of yours, be sure to ask because not all smartphone VPN services are explicit about this. Some places say that you can use OpenVPN with Android OS. To do this you've got to route your device, and wade through the tech jargon that's available in bits and pieces on the internet. Good luck with that one. Stick with L2TP/IPSec.

Server Location

Remember that the VPN server locations will change your IP address. If you're looking for wifi security for Android, then you probably don't want to change your IP to some place halfway around the world. Choose a local server (at least in the same country), so your IP change won't cause any red flags to pop up on your accounts saying that you've been hacked by a foreign IP! If changing your IP is desirable, then go ahead, choose a VPN server located abroad for a foreign IP address. It'll allow you to unblock sites.