Oct 28

Avast SecureLine VPN Proxy iOS Review
Avast SecureLine VPN Proxy iOS Review

Connecting to open insecure wireless networks is a big problem for those who want to communicate securely and privately. Facebook, Email, Pokemon Go and Gmail passwords are susceptible to snooping while on non-secured Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops, restaurants, airports and everywhere else it is open. Avast has recently updated Avast VPN SecureLine Proxy – WiFi security and privacy shield by AVAST Software to 4.0.8 for iOS, which is priced at $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year.

Avast SecureLine Privacy
Avast SecureLine Privacy

SecureLine is a free downloadable app, with two trial options, from the Apple App Store and it takes a few taps to install on the iPhone. Once it is downloaded and opened, it will ask you to confirm the installation of a Virtual Private Network or VPN Wi-Fi profile for iOS. If you have setup a passcode for your iPhone, it will ask for it to finish the installation.

Disclosure: I received Avast’s SecureLine service at no cost for review. I have not received compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Graphics are courtesy of Avast.

The profile for SecureLine is a secure certificate that is used to confirm communications from your iOS device through Avast’s servers is secure. There is an option to automatically reconnect after a connection is interrupted, but I turned that off. I will explain why a little further into my review.

Avast SecureLine Security
Avast SecureLine Security

Avast runs VPN servers around the world for a few reasons. To make sure your Internet speeds are what you require, the closer a VPN server is to wherever you are in the world, your connection should be at maximum. I found this to be true during my extensive testing.

There is a common scenario where a VPN server or IP address in another country to where you are, could be helpful for using video streaming services. If the service “sees” that you are in the US, then the video will stream, rather than being blocked.

Avast SecureLine Fast
Avast SecureLine Fast

So far, I have used the SecureLine software in restaurants, airports, in airplanes, hotels, at coffee shops and in malls. The cities I have used the VPN software include Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and many more in between. This list will grow throughout my future travels due to the yearlong subscription I selected.

Software that interacts with any connection to the Internet will nearly always exhibit minor hiccups during use. I learned this years ago when I installed a similar VPN service to data shape my cellular connection. Typically, if the Wi-Fi hotspot you are connecting to has faster than basic DSL speed, you should not experience any kind of drops with the VPN server.

There were a few times when I experienced connection issues. All of them can be explained, but you should be aware of what is going on before removing SecureLine from your iPhone, due to a momentary hiccup.

To successfully connect to Wi-Fi in public spaces or on forms of mass transit, they typically require the user to accept a terms of service before being allowed access to either a full or partially firewalled connection to the Internet.

Avast SecureLine Access
Avast SecureLine Security

Internet access in one of the most populous countries in Asia is censored. Most of the popular search sites and social media services are blocked throughout the country. In order to access your email through Google, a VPN connection is necessary. Avast does have an agreement with certain countries in Asia to allow them to operate. Your mileage of a sustained secure connection with this service and app may vary in this type of instance.

If SecureLine’s automatic VPN connection option is enabled, it will try many times to connect to one of its servers closest to you. That means accepting the terms of the Wi-Fi connection will be difficult to perform. Once this option is turned off, connecting to the open wireless hotspot is much easier. Confirm that a connection has been made and then turn on the VPN service.

SecureLine’s app will switch its nighttime photo into a daylight version with small sailboats. If the user needs to switch which server they are connected to, tap on the down arrow near the disconnect button. This will bring up a large list of servers to choose from.

Visiting a large technology corporation in Asia presented a unique opportunity to see what would happen with this VPN software. They are in the business of connecting people to the Internet, with their hardware and software. I briefly connected to guest Wi-Fi and accepted their terms. Then, I turned on SecureLine. I immediately noticed that my Wi-Fi icon disappeared from my iPhone. The connection was blocked, so I reverted back to my cellular connection.

Connecting to open Wi-Fi networks on mass transit is not secure. This includes airplanes and their pay-for Wi-Fi service. After connecting and agreeing to the terms for Wi-Fi on a recent flight to JFK, I opened SecureLine. It connected and I was able to use the Internet for about an hour. Then the VPN icon on the top of the screen disappeared. My Wi-Fi connection was still live but the Internet was not strong enough to stay connected. The airplane is flying over 500 mph after all. I was able to attain a secure connection again by tapping on the connect button.

Minor annoyances aside, I now feel much better about connecting to the Internet through open WiFi networks with Avast’s SecureLine app. It provides one tap security and the option to let it connect to a VPN server close by or another one from their list. Avast is keeping pace with updates over the last several months. This is good since Apple keeps updating their iOS, now at 10.1. I have already recommended this app and service to family and friends. Securing communications on the device that is used most gives the user more value for the money at $19.99 per year.

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