HideMyAss, now a part of AVG (the antivirus and antimalware software developer), is one of the largest virtual private network or VPN systems available today. Based in UK and founded by Jack Cator in 2006 at the age of 16, HideMyAss has what might very well be the most comprehensive and wide spread distribution of servers globally. Jack Cator set up the initial website from my parents’ sofa in a small village in Norfolk, UK and now it includes more than 900 VPN locations over 190 countries, including obscure ones like Zimbabwe and Palau. Feeling restricted by his inabilityto access popular social network at the time, MySpace, and online games on his school network, he decided to set up a virtual private network from his home. A VPN is used to access the internet via the IP address of another computer; it works by routing the data through the remote computer via the VPN to the internet. With its humble beginnings, HideMyAss is now a hugely profitable business venture and one of the largest VPN services in operation; used by journalists evading government censorship and common people looking to get around geo-restricted content online.

What Does HideMyAss Offer?

HideMyAss has what is possible the largest and most wide spread network of servers and proxies of all the VPN service providers. With its presence in more than 190 countries and over 900 VPN end terminals, HideMyAss leads the competition in this regard. However, this is cause for concern here. HideMyAss is located in the United Kingdom, which has some of the most tightly regulated government data collection and surveillance programs in the world. With its statutory laws regarding data logging and archiving, the UK makes it easy for law enforcement to get to criminals who hide behind internet proxies or VPNs. While this appears to make sense at face value, it is also a tremendous security risk if your privacy, the reason why you are using a VPN in the first place, cannot be protected by the service provider.

VPN services are used by a lot of legitimate users who are looking for a way to access content restricted by region, such as Netflix and YouTube, network filters, such as in countries like China where websites like Google and Facebook are banned, or just as a means of protecting your data and privacy when using an unsecured network connection like public or open Wi-Fi. However, the fact that HideMyAss easily hands over information that can be potentially identifiable to the authorities on request is worrisome. Critics of the government and journalists working in secrecy can no longer be assured of their anonymity if using the HideMyAss VPN service. The flip side to this argument is the plethora of illegal activities like hacking and sharing of copyrighted content and proprietary material. This activity is definitely illegal and cannot be condoned. But any privacy tool has both legitimate users and potential for abuse. A VPN is intended to provide privacy and anonymity to its users; when companies like HideMyAss fail to safeguard the basic premise of the service they offer, it is indeed worrisome.

All is not lost though. While it is definitely going to disappoint the privacy purists out there, HideMyAss offers enough privacy features to satisfy the user who use it for Netflix or other “casual” activities rather than professional wrong doing. The company is regularly rated as one of the best VPN service providers in the business and that is not for nothing. While its plans are not the cheapest you can find, you do get what you pay for in terms of resources and performance.

Offerings from HideMyAss VPN service

HideMyAss offers its location spoofing service in more than 190 countries, far more than any other VPN service provider. Most services cover the basics like United States, UK, and Japan but such a large selection of servers is definitely not par for the course. Additionally, HideMyAss supports VPN access from a number of devices such as your desktop, your mobile, and your tablet. One HideMyAss account allows you to connect to the HideMyAss VPN on all the devices you own, subject to a maximum number of devices. As you move up to a higher and more expensive plan, you get allowed a greater number of devices. Also, HideMyAss does not restrict your VPN bandwidth.

HideMyAss VPN service costs USD 11.52 per month. However, you can usually get it for far less. The company runs frequent discounts and you rarely need to pay full price for HideMyAss VPN service. You can save further by purchasing a subscription and paying for 6 or 12 months in advance. However, because there are a number of different use cases for VPNs, the company offers custom made plans for businesses at special prices that are designed with the requirements of such clients.

Businesses have multiple uses for VPNs such as ensuring data security, anonymous web browsing, network isolation, and sandboxing. A VPN completely encrypts all traffic that passes over it, ensuring that even data transmissions over the internet remain secure and immune to attacks. VPN systems are also essential for business use when you need to remain anonymous for research purposes or when you simply do not want your network IP address to be known. Plans start at USD 25 per month but you get discounted rates if you purchase a 12 month subscription. Business users also get a number of additional services like static IP addresses on request and special rates for plans that include more than 21 devices. Almost every aspect of the network can be optimised and configured depending on your needs.

HideMyAss Supported Payment Methods

HideMyAss makes it extremely easy for you to purchase their VPN plans. The company supports credit cards for making purchases. Additionally for monthly subscriptions, you will need a credit card on file.

HideMyAss Service Guarantees

Like we have discussed earlier, HideMyAss is both good and bad. It is good because it genuinely offers a robust and reliable VPN service. It is bad because it does not guarantee it will safeguard your data from government agencies and law enforcement. HideMyAss is headquartered in the UK, which requires companies to retain client data and hand them over to law enforcement when ordered to, and the company has done so in the past. So if ultimate privacy is what you need, you should look elsewhere.

However, if all you intend to use HideMyAss for is bypassing the content restriction on Netflix and watch TV shows, you will have absolutely nothing to worry about. The company’s servers are very efficient and reliable, and you can rest assured that VPN performance will never let you down.

Is HideMyAss VPN Service Genuine?

HideMyAss offers a solid and dependable VPN service. Performance is great and thanks to the large number of servers in a number of different locations, you always get access to the VPN when you need it the most. HideMyAss offers a solid VPN service that works as advertised.

Buying Tips for HideMyAss VPN

HideMyAss offers frequent discounts. If your VPN needs are not particularly time sensitive, it is usually a good choice to wait and see if prices drop. If you pay for a few months in advance, you also pay less per month.

Social Responsibility

HideMyAss does not condone using its VPN service for illegal activities like software piracy, illegal sharing of copyrighted content like movies and music, criminal trespassing into a computer system or network by hacking, theft of confidential and proprietary information, espionage, etc. The company has a history of working with law enforcement by handing over potentially identifiable data of suspected cyber criminals.

HideMyAss Presence on Social Media

HideMyAss maintains an active social media presence on all the major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google Plus. The company releases informative videos on its channel detailing how to set up various services. The HideMyAss Facebook page is also where the company shares important blog posts about the latest developments in both the software as well as the industry in general. The company also shares general unrelated news on its Facebook page as well.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HideMyAssCom
Twitter – https://twitter.com/hidemyass
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/hidemyass
Google Plus – https://plus.google.com/+hidemyass

Email – https://support.hidemyass.com/hc/en-us or info@hidemyass.com

Corporate Address – Based in London, United Kingdom

Alternatives to HideMyAss VPN

If you are looking for VPN services, there is no shortage of providers. Highly rated alternatives include PureVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access VON, KeepSolid VPN, SurfEasy, OpenSecure VPN, etc. Check out some PureVPN coupon codes in case you are wanting to switch from Hide My Ass. These alternatives a worth a try if HideMyAss is not up to your liking or does not fit your requirements.