Nigerians often use VPNs for various reasons – most of which are to access blocked content on websites and apps. This could be due to geographic restrictions by the content provider. It can also be owed to local legislation by the Federal Government of Nigeria as it was on Twitter’s ban in 2021 and recent crack down on top crypto trading platforms in the country. This has made join the list of countries where Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are banned. But while this can elicit concerns for many people, you may learn to use some top free VPNs for Nigerians to bypass the restriction.
What Is a VPN?
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that protects your internet connection and online privacy through a remote server. It provides real-time encryption of your online data, like your IP address, location, and traffic history – making it difficult for third parties to track your online activities or steal data. This is in addition to using the tool to access geo-restricted content. There are two (2) types of VPNs – free and premium.
In light of the potential of VPNs for online users, crypto traders can use the tool to access blocked platforms to buy and sell Bitcoin and other crypto assets in Nigeria.
Top Free VPNs For Nigerians
1. Windscribe
Windscribe is not a completely free VPN service provider but offers a free version for its users. It provides a month of 10 GB bandwidth for light users, with protection and access to restricted content.
You can use this VPN on various devices, including Android, iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Windows PC. It can also be a browser add-on Chrome, Opera, and Firefox. Some of the features of Windscribe include split tunneling, a strict no-logging policy, network whistling, and ease of use.
2. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is another top free VPN for Nigerians as it does not log users’ online activities; it has no ads and unlimited bandwidth. You can use this service to bypass blocked sites, and it has a kill-switch feature that protects your IP address from being exposed during an accidental disconnection.
Nigerians can use Proton VPN on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Linux devices. It also supports routers and smart TVs.
3. Hide.Me VPN
Hide.Me VPN provides access to blocked sites and apps while protecting your identity. This is an ideal VPN service for light users with a 10 GB monthly allowance.
You can enjoy features like military-grade encryption and fast VPN servers – supporting almost every platform. Other features include no log, no ads, and no speed throttling. You do not have to sign up or log in to use Hide.Me VPN.
4. HideMan VPN
HideMan VPN works effectively with Windows devices. The service is simple to use, as it encrypts your data and ensures your online privacy. It provides strong 256-bit encryption and eliminates restrictions during browsing.
This tool is available for Android and Windows devices. It is helpful in the event of sharing securely sharing critical personal data between two individuals. So, you can use it to watch movies or television programs that are blocked from Nigerian access.
5. Betternet VPN
Betternet VPN is a free VPN service provider with unique features. There is no logging, annoying ads, or limits when using this VPN. You don’t need to sign up or log in to use the software.
The service supports Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows, and Chrome. It often connects to high-speed servers as it unblocks websites and masks your internet traffic.
6. Hola VPN
Hola VPN is a popular free VPN service for Android devices. It enables the connection to your preferred country, enabling geo-restriction bypass to access various content. This also includes hiding your IP address to foster internet privacy.
The software is available in 195 countries, including Nigeria, with a fast connection that supports phones, laptops, TVs, and tablets.
7. Turbo VPN
Turbo VPN provides a free service that enables connection to the internet without limits. It secures your privacy and the use of a public Wi-Fi connection to prevent your loss of information to malicious entities.
This VPN employs military-grade 256-bit encryption to protect your internet traffic. In addition, Turbo VPN adopts OpenVPN protocols (UDP/TCP) and IPsec protocol to hide your identity. There is a kill switch feature to prevent you from being monitored or tracked when using the VPN.
8. Touch VPN
Touch VPN is another VPN service that automatically secures the use of public Wi-Fi. This protects privacy, mobile security, and personal data against malicious activities like identity theft from third parties.
This VPN has over 5,900 servers across more than 80 countries. Therefore, you can use Touch VPN to unblock all sites across the world by connecting to its app. It is available for Android, iPhone, Mac, and Windows devices. It provides fast speed and unlimited bandwidth with no buffering or proxy errors.
9. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN provides easy-to-use software with a large bandwidth and great features for mobile devices. It offers split tunneling, high speeds, and no speed limits. Other include military-grade AES-256-bit encryption, WireGuard protocol, and IPSec/IKEv2 protocol to secure your data from third parties.
In addition, Atlas VPN has a kill switch feature to automatically block your internet access during a disconnection from the VPN server. You can use this VPN for Android or Windows devices.
10. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is one of the top free VPNs in Nigeria as it employs a proprietary VPN protocol, Hydra, which is an effective protocol uncommon with free VPNs. It also provides IP and DNS leak protection to prevent your data from being accessible by third parties.
This VPN enables you to access blocked content on sites across the world with 15 GB monthly data.
How To Use A VPN In Nigeria
The following are the popular ways Nigerians can use a VPN:
- Download your preferred VPN and install it on your device. It could also be as a browser add-on for Chrome, Opera, or Firefox.
- Launch the VPN on your device and wait for it to load servers.
- Choose your preferred server locations from countries like the United States, Canada, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, etc. You will see the speed bars – which your choice must depend upon. The stronger the bars, the faster the servers.
- Begin to browse the internet securely while accessing websites or apps restricted in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Free VPNs For Nigerians
Is VPN Legal In Nigeria?
It is legal to use VPNs in Nigeria. But, using a VPN for illegal activities is prohibited in the country.
Which VPNs Are Free In Nigeria?
Many VPNs are free to use in Nigeria. These include ProtonVPN, Hide.me, Hola Free VPN, Windscribe, Atlas VPN, etc.
Are Free VPNs Truly Free?
Yes, some VPN providers offer all or some of their services for free. For instance, Windscribe provides both freemium and premium VPN services.
Are Free VPNs Safe To Use?
Some free VPNs are safe, but others can harm your personal information by selling them to companies.
Conclusion
We cannot overemphasize the importance of VPNs in accessing blocked sites, which is often a significant concern. They enable your wide reach while protecting your personal information from third parties. So, if you want to remain anonymous during your browsing session, you can explore some of the free VPNs highlighted in this article.
However, it is important to research more about any of these VPNs before using any of them.
