How to safely access online banking with a VPN: Protect your financial data

Everyone wants to assume their internet connection is secure. However, when traveling, you’ll often have to use public wifi hotspots, which are rarely as well-protected as they should be. With more than half of Americans using online banking and a free hotspot on every corner, hackers have realized just how lucrative one attack can be. This is why it’s really important to ensure you are accessing your online banking securely, by using a VPN.

Once you connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN), your internet traffic is encrypted and can’t be read by anyone. Another benefit is that a VPN hides your actual IP address replacing it with one in a location of your choosing. This is great for accessing your banking service while traveling without raising any red flags.

In this post, we’ll explain how to use a VPN to safely access online banking, list the best VPNs for the job and provide additional tips for boosting your online security. We’ll go into detail about each of the providers we recommend but in case you’re in a rush, we’ll start with a quick summary.

The best VPNs for online banking safely:

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN for secure online banking. Quick, reliable, and highly secure, ideal for public wifi hotspots and unsecured networks. wide network of servers in 60+ countries. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for online banking.
2. Surfshark: The best low-cost VPN for banking securely. Has no connection limit and some of the fastest speeds around. Zero-logs policy and servers in 100+ countries.
3. IPVanish: This no-logs provider is packed with security features and can protect every device you own simultaneously.
4. ExpressVPN: A versatile, reputable service with 100+ supported locations. Provides around-the-clock support via live chat. An excellent choice for online banking.
5. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly VPN with a huge network and task-specific servers. Fast enough for online banking or whatever else you have in mind.
6. PrivateVPN: An independently-audited no-logs VPN with high speeds. Goes above and beyond on privacy, ideal for online banking.

How to securely access online banking with a VPN

Keeping yourself secure while banking online is not as hard as you might think. Just follow these simple steps to protect yourself in minutes.

Here’s how to use online banking services securely from anywhere with a VPN:

1. Register for a VPN that’s suitable for secure online banking. We highly recommend NordVPN.
2. Connect to a VPN server in your chosen country. The connection will take a few seconds to establish, and you will receive a notification when it’s complete.
3. Your data is now encrypted, and your IP address has changed. If you choose a server in your home country, you will appear to be browsing from back home (instead of wherever you actually are) and won’t raise any red flags with your bank.
4. Proceed to log in to your bank’s online portal and carry out transactions as normal.
5. If you’re having problems, try clearing your browser cookies. If the issues persist, contact your VPN’s customer support for more advice.

How we found the top online banking VPNs

Every VPN is different, so it pays to choose wisely. This is especially true if you’re planning on doing sensitive tasks like moving money. To find the best VPNs for mobile banking, we looked for providers offering all of the following features:

• A high level of security, with uncrackable encryption and no logs kept
• Fast and reliable servers in a large number of countries
• The ability to go undetected by VPN-blocking systems
• Knowledgable customer support
• Apps for all major operating systems

This is just an overview but you can read more about our system for testing and ranking the VPNs we recommend in the methodology section below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Best VPNs for online banking: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for online banking safely.

The best VPNs for online banking

At Comparitech we aim to bring you the most helpful and accurate VPN information possible. To do this, we use every VPN ourselves and put them through rigorous real-world testing. The following reviews are based on those first hand experiences.

Here’s a list of the best VPNs for online banking:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top pick for banking online safely. It has over 6,000 highly secure servers in 60+ countries and delivers some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen, so there’s no need to worry about transactions dropping partway through. This VPN is an equally strong choice for streaming or torrenting and can protect six of your devices at the same time.

So, how safe is NordVPN? Well, given its 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, the chance of someone getting their hands on your data is near zero. New versions also include a tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically. NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning it can’t reveal what you do online under any circumstances. Support is available 24/7 over live chat.

NordVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can also be manually installed on supported routers.

BEST VPN FOR ONLINE BANKING:NordVPN is our top choice. With high speeds and a security toolkit that’s second to none, it’s perfect for safe and secure banking. Best of all, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Why not read our complete NordVPN review?

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is our top choice for a budget VPN that doesn’t compromise on security. It’s more than capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with more expensive providers. There are 3,200+ servers to choose from (in over 100 countries!) and no connection limits whatsoever. Further, this VPN is among the quickest we’ve tested, so it’s suitable for banking, streaming, and more.

This service safeguards your privacy using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a tool that blocks trackers and malware automatically. There’s also IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, plus a true no-logs policy. In short, Surfshark is more than capable of keeping you safe online. If you run into any issues, support is on hand 24/7.

Surfshark offers apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. If you’d prefer, you can manually install it on select wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top budget option. Impressive speed, versatility, and security make it a valuable tool for any privacy-conscious traveler. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee included.

Read our in-depth Surfshark review for more details.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a quick, reliable provider with more than 2,000 servers in 75+ locations. Notably, it owns all of these outright, meaning, unlike most of its rivals, it has complete control over its network. IPVanish is great for online banking but is equally comfortable for torrenting. It even works with plenty of popular streaming services, and users can connect as many devices as they like.

This service doesn’t keep any logs at all, so your privacy is in good hands. Further, its connections all use 256-bit AES encryption and protect against IPv6 and DNS leaks. A built-in kill switch prevents you from accidentally browsing while disconnected, and WireGuard support ensures you don’t have to rely on outdated protocols just to browse safely. IPVanish offers 24/7 customer support over email and live chat.

IPVanish apps are available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. To get it running on Linux systems or routers, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

BANK SAFELY ANYWHERE:IPVanish can protect all of your devices at once, helping you securely use online banking wherever you go. With strong privacy tools and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s well worth your time.

Take a look at the complete IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 servers in over 100+ countries. With no bandwidth limits, up to five simultaneous connections permitted, and consistently high speeds, this VPN is perfect for anyone hoping to safely use online banking as they travel. It’s a great choice for streaming, too, and works reliably with major platforms like Netflix.

There’s no need to worry about your security since ExpressVPN’s encryption is currently considered uncrackable. Users benefit from its no-logs policy, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. There’s a new Threat Manager tool that stops your other apps from sending data to known tracking sites. Live chat is available around the clock, just in case you run into any issues.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. There’s also custom firmware for routers that greatly simplifies the setup process.

GREAT EVERYDAY VPN:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for almost any task, whether it’s banking securely or streaming your favorite shows from abroad. Additionally, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Check out the full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost boasts an expansive network, with more than 10,000 servers spread across 100+ countries. Many of these are specially optimized for specific tasks like streaming, torrenting, or browsing the web anonymously. Better still, this service provides fast, consistent speeds, meaning you shouldn’t have any issues no matter the task at hand. Up to seven devices can be secured at once.

This VPN posts regular transparency reports and doesn’t log any data that could identify you. Its connections are secured with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. CyberGhost also blocks ads, trackers, and malware without you having to lift a finger, so it’s a great complement to any traditional antivirus program. Support staff are ready to answer any questions, 24/7, over email and live chat.

CyberGhost has apps for iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. Users can also manually configure it for use with supported routers.

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost is very newcomer-friendly. What’s more, its highly secure servers are ideal for securely accessing banking services. Boasts 24/7 support and very fast connections. Plus, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed review of CyberGhost.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN may only have around 200 servers (in 60+ countries), but it goes the extra mile on privacy. Not only does it own its servers outright, but it also acts as its own ISP and hosting provider. In short, you can use online banking safely in the knowledge that no third party ever has access to any part of the system. What’s more, PrivateVPN has very high speeds and recently bumped up its connection limit from six to ten.

This service has plenty of security tools built in. First off, there’s 256-bit AES encryption (which can be lowered to 128-bits for slightly better speeds), leak protection, and a customizable kill switch. PrivateVPN also offers a stealth mode that’s designed to help you browse freely in places like China. This service follows a true no-logs policy and provides support via an almost 24/7 help desk.

PrivateVPN has Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps. Manual setup is required for Linux systems and supported routers.

EXCELS ON PRIVACY:PrivateVPN is one step ahead of its rivals on privacy. Not only that, it boasts exceptional speeds and the ability to access almost every service we’ve tested. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read our in-depth PrivateVPN review?

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Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for online banking

There are hundreds of VPNs out there, but if you’re going to put your trust in a provider, you have to know that it’s able to protect you and your data. Not only that, but it has to be able to keep up with your daily activities. To find the best VPNs for mobile banking, we looked for those that delivered everything listed below:

• Powerful security features: These are crucial if you’re going to be banking with a VPN. We required our picks to offer 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy at a bare minimum.
• High speeds: If your connection is too slow, you could find that transactions fail or, worse, repeat themselves. Luckily, we regularly speed-test leading VPNs to see which are the fastest and which have improved the most over time. These tests account for consistency, too, not just the top speed.
• Wide server network: You need a VPN provider with servers in your home country so that you can access your online banking from abroad without raising any flags with your bank’s fraud squad. In addition, the more countries your VPN covers, the more flexibility you’ll have to access geo-restricted content from around the globe. The VPNs we’ve recommended cover between 40 and 110 countries.
• Strong unblocking ability: Some banking apps might try to block VPN users, so the ability to fly under the radar is hugely important. We also prefer providers that work with popular geo-locked platforms like YouTube TV, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
• User-friendly apps: Our top VPNs have to be easy enough for total beginners to use. That’s why multi-platform support, live chat, and task-specific servers are so highly-prioritized. Really, anything that makes things simpler is a huge advantage, whether it’s a lack of connection limits or just a well-organized menu.
• Value for money: Staying safe online shouldn’t have to cost the earth. The VPNs we recommend offer a quality service and excellent features at a reasonable price. We also like providers that offer free trials and money-back guarantees so you can be 100% happy with the service before committing long-term.

For more details on how we put VPNs to the test, check out our complete methodology.

Further steps to ensure your safety while online banking

Other than just using a VPN, you can also deploy these methods to make sure you’re safe and secure on the web.

1. Keep your device updated

Making sure that your device is operating on the latest version of its operating system is a prudent method to guard against hackers and other malicious entities. That’s because developers are constantly researching new and emergent threats – when they ship an update, it’s in your best interests to download that. It’s possible that the update includes some new source code that helps quell attacks and can fight malware.

2. Stick to secure sites

The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) provides an easy method of determining whether the site you’re logging in to is encrypted by default. Simply look for the padlock icon next to the website address in your search bar. If it’s present and the address starts with “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP,” that means the site you’re trying to access is encrypted and should prevent hackers from forcing their way in.

3. Don’t give away any personal information

A common phishing scam is a trick to divulge confidential information like your login information, social security number, or other personally identifiable information that can be used for purposes like identity theft and gaining access to your bank accounts.

Fraudsters often send emails that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as your financial institution. In some cases, they copy the text and design of emails that you regularly receive and dupe you into thinking that it’s really your bank requesting information. However, banks generally do not request that you send personal information via email, and we recommend that you simply don’t respond to such requests.

There are various tell-tale signs of a phishing email, including a domain name that doesn’t exactly match that of the real institution, links that don’t match the domain (you can check by hovering over them), and poor spelling and grammar. If you’re unsure, you can always call your bank to check.

4. Enable two-factor authentication and use strong passwords

Many banks and financial institutions use two-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security. What this means is that a simple username and password aren’t enough to access your account. You’ll need to complete a second step, such as answering a security question or entering a code sent to you via email or SMS.

In the same vein, we encourage you to deploy strong passwords. Such passwords use alphanumeric combinations to guard against things like brute-force attacks. Comparitech’s password generator tool can help if you’re unsure about how to go about this.

5. Set up notifications for your banking activity

Some banks give you the option to receive text message alerts when there’s activity on your account. While this may entail an additional monthly fee, it could be a step towards securing your account. If there’s a suspicious transaction, you will at least be notified immediately and can take corrective measures without further delay.

Banking safely with a VPN: FAQs