We live in an era of consistent and evolving human interaction with AI and the internet at large, and it is becoming obvious that our lives now depend on these interactions for communication and for business purposes, which also has its dangers like breach of private data, in spite of its benefits.
One of the top VPN (Virtual Private Network) providers available in 2023 is CyberGhost. It is favored for supporting torrenting and delivering excellent results with well-known streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
The quick WireGuard protocol, different specialty servers, a dedicated IP option, and a 45-day money-back guarantee—all of which are far longer than the typical 1-month warranties offered by other providers—are also provided by CyberGhost. Most importantly, these fantastic benefits come at incredibly modest costs.
However, not everything is perfect. But does that really matter, given how reasonably priced the provider is? Despite the availability of faster and more functional alternatives like NordVPN in 2023, is CyberGhost VPN still worthwhile to purchase?
The most important query that needs an answer is that. I’ll delve deeply into the service in my CyberGhost VPN review to see whether it’s worth your time.
About CyberGhost VPN
A VPN provider called CyberGhost is based in Bucharest, Romania. The business was established in 2011 and would have more than 38 million customers by the year 2023. CyberGhost was purchased by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider) in 2017, marking the notorious conglomerate’s first significant VPN acquisition.
For various reasons, many users and unbiased reviewers rank CyberGhost as one of the finest VPN services. First off, it provides a comprehensive package of internet security and privacy at a surprisingly low cost. The cutting-edge, open-source WireGuard protocol ensures lightning-fast connection speeds.
Meanwhile, you can effortlessly mask your IP address, evade geo-blocking, and securely transfer files via P2P thanks to the enormous 9,600+ server network spread across 91+ countries.
One CyberGhost VPN subscription allows customers to protect up to 7 different devices simultaneously. The service provides easy-to-use apps for the most popular operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) and bonus setup options for routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and various other gadgets.
CyberGhost VPN Pros and Cons
Pros
- More than 35 prominent streaming platforms are reliably unblocked. I used CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers during my tests to unblock Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and various other services.
- A global network that is impressive, with efficient servers. CyberGhost claims 8,163 servers in 100 locations dedicated to streaming, torrenting, and gaming, but none of them work in strongly banned countries such as China.
- Military-grade encryption and additional security features. Not only does CyberGhost include 256-bit encryption and a kill button, but you can also customize it with other security features.
- The no-logs policy has been audited and validated. CyberGhost protects your privacy by not logging any information that could be used to identify you.
- P2P-optimized torrent servers. These dedicated servers provide a safe and dependable way to download torrents at high speeds.
- Designed to be simple to use. CyberGhost isn’t overly complicated, with native programs for every major operating system and even certain smart TVs, as well as support for routers and game consoles. I tried out several of CyberGhost’s apps to see how simple they are.
- There is a money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is available for free for up to 45 days. I requested a refund and received it in 5 days.
Cons
- Long-distance servers have slower speeds, whereas nearby servers are quite fast. On close servers, my connection was fast enough for HD streaming (and even gaming), but long-distance servers slowed it down.
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CyberGhost VPN Core Features: What Can CyberGhost VPN Do for You?
If you need to avoid geo-restrictions for streaming, CyberGhost is one of the finest VPNs to utilize. Watching shows on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer was a problem-free experience.
A few services, such as Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, required debugging, but they were up and running quickly. SkyTV was the only platform I couldn’t unblock.
CyberGhost also offers specially configured servers for streaming. They can be found in a menu with the other specialized servers on the app’s left side. You can also use the search feature to locate the appropriate streaming server. However, there are several distinguishing characteristics that make them distinctive, which I shall discuss.
Server Network
CyberGhost has a massive worldwide network with 8,163 servers spread over 100 nations. The majority of other top VPNs I’ve used don’t offer coverage like that. It implies that you have a better probability of locating a quick connection because a server is almost certainly nearby.
I was pleased by the fact that CyberGhost has 1,100+ server locations worldwide, including 24 cities in the Americas, 24 cities in Asia/Pacific, 12 cities in Africa and the Middle East, and 55 cities in Europe.
Additionally, because CyberGhost only employs a small number of virtual servers, its coverage can extend to many remote areas (including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, Iran, and Sri Lanka).
Virtual Locations
31 virtual locations, or around 6% of CyberGhost’s server network, are available right now. In each of its 84 physical sites, which correspond to the cities listed, servers are housed on equipment. However, with virtual servers, you are given an IP address in Saudi Arabia because the machine is located there.
Virtual servers can assist VPNs in offering quicker and more dependable connections in outlying areas. Additionally, they permit them to operate in nations where VPNs are prohibited or subject to governmental meddling. However, if the physical machine is farther distant from you than the place you wish to connect to, this can lead to slower download and ping times.
Dedicated IP Servers
A dedicated IP server is one that only you use and always assigns you the same IP address. For business owners, this function is crucial.
For instance, you’ll need a static IP address if you wish to host a website so that people can constantly reach you. Since some of these businesses prohibit accounts when they discover numerous IP addresses accessing your account, it’s also useful for banking and online trading.
Dedicated IPs might also assist you in getting around VPN restrictions on streaming websites. It will be more difficult to determine that the IP was given to you by a VPN because you are the only one using it.
Therefore, blocking is more challenging. CyberGhost also has a dedicated IP system based on tokens. Simply put, this boosts your security because the corporation won’t know your new dedicated IP address.
However, if you require faster speeds, I wouldn’t suggest them. During my tests, CyberGhost’s accelerated servers were frequently faster, and it only has dedicated IPs in 5 nations: the UK, the US, Germany, France, and Canada. You’ll probably experience slower speeds if you’re far from these places.
These servers start at $2.50/month extra and are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The cost decreases as your plan lengthens.
Advanced Security Features
With a few amazing added extras, CyberGhost provides all the security features I’d want in a high-end VPN. The only significant things that are missing are a private protocol and a second VPN. However, transferring your data across two separate tunnels is probably less secure than using their NoSpy servers. Additionally, it provides some of the greatest protocols out there.
Although CyberGhost has maintained a longstanding reputation as one of the best VPNs, a problem that exposed Windows users to risk was found in 2023. A cybersecurity researcher found the command line flaw, which was believed to have threatened “full system compromise.”
It’s good to know that this was a one-off occurrence and that the fault has since been fixed. In reaction to the incident, CyberGhost pledged to keep a closer eye on its security measures. Additionally, to guarantee that its services offer impenetrable security, it maintains a bug bounty program with the assistance of independent cybersecurity researchers.
Military-Grade Encryption
Since it uses 256-bit encryption (the strongest type available), CyberGhost is very secure. That indicates that you secure your data using an encryption key (like a password) that is 256 characters long. The security of a key increases with length, with 256 bits currently being the strongest.
Putting that into context makes it easier to comprehend why it’s crucial: A single piece of your data would take thousands of years to be cracked using 50 supercomputers that could check a billion AES keys every second. This implies that a hacker would not be able to read your information even if they managed to intercept it.
Additionally, it provides Perfect Forward Secrecy, which boosts security. This frequently alters the encryption and decryption key that CyberGhost employs. Even though it’s extremely unlikely, if the key were ever found, it would be altered right away.
Automatic Kill Switch
An automatic kill switch is present in each CyberGhost software to safeguard you in the event of a network failure. In the case that your VPN briefly goes down, this pauses your internet connection to stop leaks. Your IP address and information are always safe, thanks to this crucial feature.
My internet connection would briefly drop anytime I moved servers, so I knew it was functioning. This option is not available on Mac, iOS, or Android because it is integrated and constantly active.
WiFi Protection
You can configure CyberGhost to open automatically when you connect to public WiFi on desktop and mobile apps. Additionally, you may configure it to prompt you before connecting to or ignoring a certain network. When using public connections, you should always have a VPN connected because WiFi hotspots are a prime target for hackers. Because you are always secured with this function, I found it to be quite convenient because I didn’t have to worry about remembering to switch the app on.
HTTPS Protection
To ensure that you only access the most secure version of a website, this feature forces your connection to an HTTPS-enabled site. This helps shield you from harmful assaults on unprotected web pages where sensitive information like your mailing address and credit card information may be exposed. The “S” stands for secure because, in contrast to HTTP sites, HTTPS sites employ Secure Sockets Layer encryption.
This essentially means that even if hackers manage to obtain your information, it will be in encrypted form. This is a useful feature because there can never be too much security for your important data. However, you are still secured by CyberGhost’s encryption and other security features if the website doesn’t offer an HTTPS version.
CyberGhost VPN Pricing
When purchasing a long-term subscription, CyberGhost offers excellent value. At $2.11/month, the 2-year subscription is the best bargain, and it frequently includes an extra 3 months for free. The 6-month plan is slightly more expensive, costing $6.99 each month. The 1-month deal is a touch pricey, and you can’t access the NoSpy servers with it, so a longer-term membership is clearly the best value.
Furthermore, monthly plans lack a number of features. Privacy Guard, Boxcryptor (encrypted cloud storage), and NoSpy servers are only available with one-year or longer subscription agreements. CyberGhost ID Guard, on the other hand, is included with every subscription (it monitors your email addresses and informs you of any security issues).
There is also a security package that includes antivirus and a security updater that notifies you when programs require upgrades. The cost varies according to your plan. It’s an additional $5.65/month for a yearlong subscription. It’s an additional $4.50 each month for a monthly subscription, and it is only available on Windows.
CyberGhost accepts PayPal, credit cards, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency payments. I was upset that CyberGhost no longer allows cash payments because it would allow you to make your purchase fully anonymously. However, because you may pay using cryptocurrency, you can purchase a subscription without entering any payment information.
Additionally, there is a 45-day money-back guarantee, so if you decide it’s not for you, you can get a full refund during this time. The big 45-day timeframe impressed me since most VPNs I’ve tested only provide 30 days. Just keep in mind that the 1-month membership does not qualify because you only have 14 days to alter your mind.
The refund procedure is really simple and fast. Requesting a refund from CyberGhost is as simple as using the team’s live chat service, which is available around the clock. Without any hesitation, the guy I dealt with agreed to handle my refund right away.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that my money was returned to my account 3 days after they informed me that the refund would take 5–10 working days to process. You can download it from the Apple Store or Google Play for a 3-day free trial on Android and a 7-day free trial on iOS devices.
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CyberGhost VPN’s Privacy and Security
The truth is that CyberGhost records neither connection logs nor traffic data. The independent audit conducted in September 2022 by Deloitte has demonstrated this. Although Romania is a part of the European Union, it is a privacy-friendly country, and Romania is where the corporation is headquartered. Romanian courts have ruled that data retention measures promoted by the EU are unlawful.
Additionally, Romania is not a member of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence cooperation group. Therefore, even if you double as an FBI and KGB agent, you can use CyberGhost without risk. CyberGhost is one of the safest VPN services you can use in terms of security.
This top-rated VPN boasts AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy that has been independently verified, is based in a country that values privacy, and it provides a ton of extra security tools. Additionally, the WireGuard protocol, the industry standard for speed and security, is used by this VPN.
Cyberghost adheres strictly to the no-logs privacy principle. Your IP address (and any associated actions), DNS requests, and browsing history are not stored. By choosing anonymous registration with Bitcoin, you can also protect the privacy of your payment details.
In addition, Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing companies, conducted a separate examination of CyberGhost’s service in 2022 while paying attention to its no-logs policy. I discovered that CyberGhost’s server setups are compliant with its privacy regulations and that it actually doesn’t store logs, making it impossible to monitor users or their online activities. This indicates that CyberGhost doesn’t monitor your online activity.
Regarding security, I also learned that users of CyberGhost VPN apps have a choice of VPN protocols. You can choose between OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard in the desktop programs for Windows and macOS. The OpenVPN or WireGuard options are available in the Android version. You can choose between WireGuard and IKEv2 on iOS.
CyberGhost uses strong encryption standards to implement these well-known VPN protocols, which can offer a high level of protection. This means that you can rely on any of those procedures to protect the privacy of your data and online behavior. Additionally, it implies that the VPN will defend you from hackers using free WiFi.
CyberGhost VPN Performance
Performance is one of the most important things many users consider when choosing a VPN service. I ran a few tests to see how well this VPN service works. I have used many VPN services, and I can tell you that ExpressVPN is not the fastest, but it is still very good.
Here’s an in-depth analysis of ExpressVPN’s performance, speed, and reliability.
Speed
Using a dedicated test server in Ohio, I ran speed tests on CyberGhost VPN. A 5 Gigabit internet connection is available to my test server. This enables me to assess the VPN’s maximum speeds.
We used the desktop version of Ookla’s Speedtest application and chose the nearest test server for each VPN location in order to deliver the most accurate findings.
Since the WireGuard protocol from CyberGhost should be the quickest one on the market (at least in theory), I used it for our tests. You can choose to keep the VPN’s settings in automatic format, which should provide the quickest connection possible for your location.
I tested New York, London, and Hong Kong servers at three-hour intervals to offer you a thorough overview of the VPN’s performance. These results, as well as averages for each site and a global average, are shown below.
I am aware that our test server’s speed is greater than the typical residential internet connection. I also tested CyberGhost utilizing home broadband to give you a more accurate idea of how it will function in a home environment. You may observe from your own results how the VPN would impact speeds in a “real world” environment.
This obviously indicates that it can deliver exceptional speeds. What was its performance with standard home broadband?
I tried CyberGhost using Cogeco home broadband in Canada to find out. On an Asus Zenbook 14 Pro laptop, I ran the Ookla Speedtest desktop program. On the testing day, the internet’s speed (without the VPN) was 35 Mbps. You may see the outcomes of our testing below:
- UK British server. 27.13 Mbps download speed. It is a 23% decrease.
- New York, USA server. 33.11 Mbps download speed. The decrease here is 5.4%.
- Singaporean server. 23.43 Mbps download speed. It is a 33% decrease.
As you can see, when compared to the tests run on the test server, the outcomes of my “real world” testing were inconsistent. Our internet speeds scarcely changed when using the New York server, which offered the fastest speed. This makes it a fantastic choice for data-intensive operations like streaming.
The UK server was also swift, slowing down my home internet by just 23% while maintaining a connection speed of at least 25 Mbps. This makes it perfect for playing multiplayer games like Fortnite, DOTA 2, Overwatch, Warframe, and HD streaming.
Sadly, the Hong Kong server’s performance was subpar. My connection speed decreased to 23.43 Mbps, almost one-third of my typical internet speed. As a result of this large speed reduction, you can anticipate that some servers will cause your internet to slow down more than others.
Streaming
CyberGhost is a great choice if you’re looking for a VPN to access streaming services. It provides a vast selection of servers spread out over the globe, and in my experience, they frequently function to access well-liked global streaming providers and TV platforms.
CyberGhost could access regional content on Netflix in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Japan, according to my tests with the service. The website for CyberGhost claims that it also functions to access Netflix in countries including South Korea, Australia, Australia, India, and the Netherlands.
It is, without a doubt, one of the finest VPNs for Netflix as a result of this. One of the few VPNs, CyberGhost prominently identifies its streaming servers in the interface.
This makes finding the server you require simple. The VPN includes servers in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the US that will allow you to access streaming services.
This list of streaming servers is, arguably, the most complete one we have ever seen.
The best part is that every one of those servers specifies which streaming service it is best suited for. For instance, the Australian streaming servers are designed to be accessed by 9Now, 10Play, and Netflix Australia.
Netflix US, YouTube, YouTube TV, DAZN USA, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, NBC, Fox, Sling TV, Comedy Central, ESPN+, Crunchyroll, Peacock, Disney+, Paramount+, and NFL+ are among the US streaming services that CyberGhost offers.
I attempted to access several different streaming providers to verify CyberGhost’s claims. I’m happy to announce that every one of my tests was a success. I had access to NBC, ITV Hub, Channel 4, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
Privacy
The IP addresses used in the network of CyberGhost are shared and dynamic. These offer its users very high degrees of privacy. Shared IPs make it more difficult to monitor anyone in real time because the user’s traffic is mingled with that of other users throughout each session. This adds to the privacy.
A dedicated, static IP can also be purchased from CyberGhost. This option comes with a cost even though it has some advantages (such as the ability to use websites that can block you or suspend your account if they suspect VPN use).
You are the only user of that IP address if it is dedicated and static. Therefore, if the server was raided by law enforcement, they might be able to watch your internet behavior in real time. Depending on where and why you use the VPN and your own threat model, you may need to take this privacy impact into account.
Is CyberGhost VPN easy to use?
Yes. We believe that CyberGhost is the VPN that is best suited for beginners. The apps are beautifully made, provide functional functionality that the great majority of users actually need, and are well-designed.
This makes the VPN functional and ensures that you have all the privacy and unblocking advantages you will require – without experiencing any of the confusion you would with some of its competitors. The only drawback is that the settings can be slightly perplexed when you use it for the first time.
This is such that only certain advanced options (privacy settings and smart rules) may be accessible from the CyberGhost icon, while other settings (general settings) are found in the cog menu.
If you keep in mind that the Privacy Settings (DNS leak prevention, kill switch, and content blocking) and Smart Rules (launch rules, auto-connect, and website exceptions) features are accessed by using the CyberGhost icon rather than the settings cog in the bottom left, you should be good to go.
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CyberGhost VPN Customer Support
Live chat assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is consistently very responsive. Additionally, it is available in English, French, German, and Romanian. However, only English is accessible around the clock, while the other languages have established office hours. It happened a few times that I couldn’t immediately reach an agent because it indicated they were offline, but I just waited in the chat and was always connected within a few minutes.
I used the live chat feature to ask a few extra questions after requesting my refund, and each time I did, I had a response within a few minutes. When I contacted them for assistance with a problem I was having with Amazon Prime Video, I was quite impressed.
At first, the optimized server would only give me the dreaded VPN error notice and wouldn’t even let me watch the platform. I tried switching browsers as the agent suggested, but it didn’t work. Then, they advised changing protocols, but that was also unsuccessful.
They finally advised me to erase my cache. As soon as I did this (and refreshed the optimized server), Amazon Prime Video was successfully unblocked. You’ll get an email with more details if the support team needs extra time to look into your problem.
This happened to me when I inquired about the iOS app’s content filter because I wasn’t sure if it was functioning (I subsequently discovered that this was because it doesn’t block all advertising). But the agent’s dedication to assisting me pleased me. Overall, CyberGhost provides excellent help; if you have any questions, you only have to ask.
How Do I Install and Set Up CyberGhost VPN?
You must register for an account before configuring your CyberGhost VPN software. You are given the choice to set up a monthly, biennial, or two-year paid subscription after creating an account and selecting a password.
Additionally, CyberGhost gives you a personal unblocking key (PUK), which you can use if you ever lock yourself out of your account.
After making a purchase, you can use your subscription by entering the activation key. After logging in, you may speed up your VPN experience by selecting “best location,” which will enable CyberGhost to choose a nearby server that is most appropriate to your current location and preferred speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CyberGhost VPN safe?
Yes, using CyberGhost is risk-free. It includes sophisticated security measures to safeguard your security and privacy. Your vital information is never stored by it, thanks to its privacy policy.
Is CyberGhost better than ExpressVPN or NordVPN?
The only VPN that outperforms CyberGhost VPN is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN is an excellent option for gaming and torrenting due to its quick and reliable speeds on both local and distant servers. But when it comes to cost and streaming (NordVPN can’t unblock Amazon Prime Video), CyberGhost outperforms NordVPN.
Does CyberGhost VPN unblock Netflix?
Netflix is compatible with CyberGhost VPN. I was able to unblock Netflix US as well as numerous other well-known Netflix libraries, including those in the UK, Australia, Japan, and Canada, during my tests.
How many devices can I connect with a single CyberGhost VPN account?
Your CyberGhost VPN subscription entitles you to 7 concurrent connections. However, you can receive infinite simultaneous connections for any devices connected to the internet through a router, provided you install the app on it.
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Conclusion
CyberGhost VPN provides very user-friendly programs that make it very simple to access streaming websites from all around the world. CyberGhost VPN will provide you with a server designed to unblock the platform you are trying to access if you simply search for it.
Additionally, if you ever experience issues using your preferred service, their support team is quite accommodating and available around the clock.
It differs from other VPNs in terms of security thanks to its NoSpy servers. Additionally, it safeguards your data with features like an automated kill switch and military-grade encryption. A comprehensive privacy policy, transparency reports, and independent audits all demonstrate to you that CyberGhost VPN can be trusted with your data.
The only significant drawbacks are the variable long-distance speeds and the fact that China has prohibited it. If you’re searching for a VPN that’s dependable, simple to use, has superb security, and works well for streaming, I highly recommend CyberGhost VPN.
