The concern for online security and internet freedom is shared across the world. We tend to believe that only a handful of countries are affected by online censorship, or that our personal information is safe as long as we only connect to internet from our home computer. However, the reality is that no matter where you live, or how you get online, there is always a risk that your data can be compromised and that you face geo-location restrictions that hamper your internet experience. To tackle these issues that affect users globally, the best solution is a VPN. While there are many options available, it is important to choose carefully to ensure that you can get a service that effectively protects your privacy and that allows you to enjoy the best online services and applications without boundaries.
Even though IronSocket was established in 2013, the history of this Hong Kong-based VPN provider goes back to 2005, when it was known as HideMyNet.com. Since it’s start as HMN, the company focused on creating solid VPN and DNS Proxy solutions that could help users to feel secure and reclaim their anonymity while browsing internet. IronSocket continues working to offer users a convenient way to defeat censorship and keep their privacy protected. We will take a closer look at IronSocket to help you decide if it is a suitable solution for your needs.
Features
IronSocket aims to offer a comprehensive service that combines the security of a VPN with the convenience and flexibility of SmartDNS and other proxy solutions. VPN is an effective solution that protects your data and helps you to avoid attacks from malicious hackers. It is the most practical way to stand against eavesdropping and privacy invasion, ensuring that you can navigate internet without feeling vulnerable. SmartDNS is the ideal option to access online content without restrictions and to unblock websites that are not available in your region due to geo-location issues or any other type of censorship.
When you subscribe to IronSocket, you can connect using PPTP, L2TP and OpenVPN, which is the most reliable and secure protocol available. The VPN protocols are the best option when you need a high level of security for your data. However, since a VPN tends to slow down your connection, the package also gives you access to the DNS servers, which as previously mentioned, are the most convenient solution for enjoying content that is blocked in your region. You can stream and download music, TV series, sport events, or movies.
While IronSocket doesn’t have a custom software, which would make the configuration easier, it uses the convenient and secure OpenVPN Connect client. OpenVPN Connect offers a great level of encryption and it is easier to set up than the standard OpenVPN client. IronSocket supports a large variety of devices and platforms including Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, DD-WRT routers, Smart TVs and gaming consoles.
The website offers useful instructions that will help you through the process of setting up OpenVPN for Windows, iOS, Android and OS X. You can also find detailed information to configure L2TP and PPTP on all platforms, as well as step-by-step guides to set up HTTP Proxy and DNS on all the operating systems and devices supported.
In terms of security, IronSocket gets top marks as it offers SSL with 256-bit AES encryption and 2048-bit key certificate. The fact that it also offers the possibility of connecting through TCP port 443, which is the port used by SSL traffic (and that is practically impossible to block), make things even better for internet users who want to count on the highest level of security and versatility.
To enhance your anonymity, static shared IP addresses are supported, which makes it difficult for others to identify a particular user. The IPs for HTTP proxies are dynamic. Although it is advisable to stick to OpenVPN as it provides a higher level of security, in case you need to use L2TP or PPTP, it is good to know that they use 256-bit AES and 128-bit encryption respectively. While you may experience slowdown on the connection while using OpenVPN, IronSocket’s performance is overall quite good and the upload speeds are particularly remarkable. Plus, the service passed DNS leak tests, showing that it does a great job keeping your anonymity safe.
Users will also be pleased to know that IronSocket has a no logs policy, meaning that it does not monitor your online activities. However, they do keep record of some personal details and store session logs for limited time. The information collected generally includes the IP address of the VPN server you have used and time and date when you connect/disconnect. Still, since IronSocket has a transparent policy and it is based in Hong Kong, where there are no data retention laws and censorship is minimal, customers can use the service with confidence. The fact that you can pay with Bitcoins, gives you the option to keep your privacy protected.
The price for one month subscription to IronSocket VPN and Proxy package is $6.99 and it includes all the benefits of the service such as OpenVPN, L2TP & PPTP support, as well as HTTP, SOCKS5 & DNS Proxy. You can connect to up to three devices to enjoy security for your data and to unblock content when you connect from your laptop, tablet or smartphone. To reduce the monthly price, you can extend your subscription to six months, or a full year. For six months you pay $35.95, which means that the price per month would be $5.99. The total cost for one year is $49.95 so the price per month would be just $4.16. All the plans are covered with a 7-day money back guarantee.
Network
IronSocket recently upgraded its infrastructure to offer enhanced servers’ bandwidth and additional features for its customers. The revamped network provides faster speeds, multiple levels of encryption (from Strong AES 256-bit to Light Blowfish 128-bit, all using a 4096-bit key for Secure Authentication), TCP/UDP protocols, additional ports to bypass firewalls and much more. Network 2.0 offers easier options to connect to the servers and it also includes new locations to provide a versatile internet experience.
Ironsocket has servers in 36 countries including Romania, Denmark, Japan, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Mexico, Taiwan, Germany, United States, Russia, Cyprus, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Ireland. P2P is allowed in servers in Thailand, Indonesia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Panama, South Korea and other locations. This wide variety of locations ensures that users around the world can secure their data and enjoy their favourite content without limits.
Customer Support
Apart from offering a website that contains useful information that can be found easily, IronSocket offers a strong customer/ technical service that can be contacted any day and at any time. There is a detailed FAQ and a great selection of guides, but if you need to get in touch with the support team, you can open a ticket. Although some customers would prefer a chat option, IronSocket does a good job offering effective and fast assistance through the ticket system. The responses are efficient and offer a good deal of information.
Conclusion
While IronSocket’s service may seem basic when compared to other providers that include a wide selection of add-ons and complex features, the truth is that it has everything that you need to enjoy great content online while protecting your connection. The great level of encryption offered and the inclusion of DNS, HTTP Proxy and SOCKS5 Proxy, make IronSocket a comprehensive solution at a convenient price. With its 24/7 customer support, upgraded technology and transparent privacy policy, IronSocket is a reliable provider that can enhance the security of your online traffic, while offering good speeds and flexibility to access your favourite applications.
