Windscribe

Windscribe is a Windows program that can help protect your identity on the Internet.

Windscribe is a program that you can use to safeguard your privacy online. It can operate as a standalone desktop application but also a web browser extension. It supports most major web browsers and can block ads, cookies and other objects that can be used to track or snoop on you.

Windscribe includes four primary components: a full VPN client, a firewall, an ad and tracker blocker and Secure.link. The VPN client works to protect your identity by serving as an intermediary between you and the servers you connect to. You can also use the VPN along with the firewall to protect yourself while accessing a public hot spot or using the internet while traveling abroad.

You can also use the VPN client to access blocked content. For instance, access to your U.S.-based Netflix account will be blocked when connecting in Europe, but the VPN can bypass that restriction by connecting you through a U.S. server. Even while home in the U.S., you might use the VPN to access BBC content that’s normally only available to viewers in the U.K.

The ad and tracker blocker work with your web browser to block ads, cookies and similar items. Secure.link is a tool that can create safe, shortened URLs but can also be useful to inspect a URL before visiting. The tool scans the content at the URL for security risks and provides you with a score. Websites with a low score are probably best avoided, but Windscribe won’t stop you if you choose to go.

A free account is limited to one device and VPN servers in eight major countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Downloading is also limited on a free account, so watching Netflix movies through this probably isn’t practical unless you upgrade. Upgrading requires a subscription. The prices are competitive, and you’ll get unlimited devices, unlimited downloading and VPN servers in more than 25 countries.

Pros

• Helps protect your identity on the Web
• Full VPN client and firewall
• Can provide access to blocked content

Cons

• Limited VPN coverage
• Full feature set requires a subscription