How to Stop Facebook from Tracking You with a VPN

There is a reason why “they can hear you” has become one of the most used phrase when it comes to Facebook. Even if you don’t access Facebook through your browser or have a Facebook account, this social media platform can track your browsing history within seconds. Ever looked up “ski vacation” on your phone and suddenly start getting bombarded with ads for holiday packages on Facebook?

As sophisticated as Facebook’s algorithm is, there is a way to put a stop to their snooping and protect your data from being looked into, tracked, or exposed. With the recent scandals surrounding Cambridge Analytica, you’ll definitely want to cover your tracks and keep your most valuable information to yourself.

In this article, we will discuss how to pick the best, most reliable VPN for stopping Facebook tracking, give you our best VPN recommendations, and discuss other major benefits of using a VPN online for security reasons and bypassing regional blocks.

Choosing the best VPN for stopping Facebook tracking

Considering the power of Facebook and its tracking capabilities, a garden-variety VPN won’t cut it. Having said that, with the amount of different providers on the market today, it’s hard to differentiate mediocre services from the high-quality ones.

In order to narrow it down for you and make the choice as simple as possible, we have created a list of the most crucial features in a VPN that will help you stop Facebook from lurking around your personal information and data.

• Strong encryption – Encryption keeps all your activity and personal information securely hidden from any interested third parties. Opt for a VPN provider that uses military-grade encryption, such as 256-bit AES, in order to stop Facebook from being able to track your activity and trace it back to your identity.
• No-logging policy – A solid no-logging policy ensures that no logs are kept on any of your data, including browsing history, IP addresses, and timestamps. It helps you avoid being tracked not only by Facebook, but also your ISP or even the government.
• Device compatibility – In order to protect yourself from being tracked on your phone, computer, tablet, and more, make sure the VPN provider has dedicated apps available for all your devices and operating systems you use for Facebook.
• Speed and unlimited bandwidth – The last thing you want is to experience delays, buffering errors, or run out of bandwidth. Choose a provider that not only guarantees high speed connections, but doesn’t use limitations on bandwidth or speed caps.
• Network size – A large network gives you more connection options, both in terms of speed and location. This means you’ll always be able to have a fast connection, and if you want to use the VPN for streaming, you’ll be able to bypass regional blocks and access a wide range of content wherever you are located in the world.

Our top VPN recommendations

Now that you are familiar with the most important features in a VPN provider, take a look at our top recommendations for unblocking and watching ESPN from Europe. Whether you are traveling or have permanently relocated, these VPN services will grant you top-of-the-line security and a seamless connection for streaming.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is known to be one of the fastest VPNs on the market, but it also prioritizes heightened security for its users. Lock down your connection with virtually unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a connection that would take the world’s strongest supercomputer millions of years to even attempt to crack.

Encryption protocols include OpenVPN’s UDP and TCP, as well as the censorship-crushing SSTP. In addition, ExpressVPN’s zero-logging policy covers everything from IP address, browsing history, and DNS requests. Not only will this protect you from being tracked by major companies like Facebook and Google, but it will ensure that your data is anonymous even to government officials.

Since ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which isn’t included in the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes surveillance agreements, your information will never be a part of any intelligence data exchanges between countries.

In addition to these immaculate security features, ExpressVPN is incredibly fast and reliable. With a network of 2,000+ servers in 94 countries, you will be able to establish low latency connections and get an IP address from nearly any location of your desire.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN does not use limitations on bandwidth or speed caps, allowing you to enjoy the service at all times with no restrictions. Whether you are looking to regularly keep yourself protected from Facebook or stream videos on Netflix, ExpressVPN will allow you to do so within a few clicks.

The provider has dedicated apps for all major operating systems and devices, including Mac OS, Windows, iOS, Android, and even game consoles and routers.

Want to learn more? Read our full ExpressVPN review.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of our top choices due to its focus on security and privacy. Firstly, the provider uses top-of-the-line 256-bit encryption with more key combinations than there are atoms in the universe.

The encryption protocols include some of the more common OpenVPN ones, such as UDP and TCP, as well as SSTP and the incredibly fast L2PT. Secondly, NordVPN has one of the most complete no-logging policies in the industry. It stores no logs on anything from traffic, IP addresses, bandwidth, browsing history, or anything else that may reveal your identity.

Furthermore, NordVPN’s service originated in Panama, which means that the provider is exempt from the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes surveillance agreements and is virtually immune to takedown requests. This adds an extra layer of security to the service, and you can be certain that your IP address will be protected at all times.

With 5,200+ servers in 62 countries, NordVPN has the largest server network in the industry, giving you a myriad of connection options wherever you wish to connect to. Furthermore, the provider grants its users with high connection speed and no limitations on bandwidth, allowing you to use this service regularly.

NordVPN is compatible with all major devices and operating systems, including Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Android, RaspberryPi, and even numerous game consoles.

Learn more about NordVPN’s service in our full review of NordVPN.

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost‘s apps are incredibly easy to set up, and the colorful, minimalist display makes the service a breeze to use whether you are a beginner or an advanced VPN user. Upon launch, you will be able to select from six different profiles, all of which are preconfigured.

This means that depending on whether you need to “surf anonymously”, “protect your WiFi connection”, or “unblock basic websites”, the VPN will automatically apply the appropriate settings in order for you to get the most out of your subscription. Furthermore, these profiles are further customizable with simple toggles, such as “block malicious websites” and “block ads”.

In order to stop Facebook tracking, toggles like “block online tracking” are ideal and will get you the anonymity you are seeking.

Despite its user-friendly interface, CyberGhost does not fall behind its competitors when it comes to security. The provider uses 256-bit AES encryption, which protects you from exposing your identity of online activities. Furthermore, the zero-logging policy employed by this provider is considered to be one of the most comprehensive in the industry; it doesn’t even store your email address. Other important security features include an automatic kill switch.

Should you ever get disconnected from the VPN, your entire internet will be shut down in order to protect you from using an unencrypted connection, in turn compromising your security. Furthermore, the online tracking blocker will be another essential tool for you if you want to stop Facebook from tracking you online.

Take a look at our full review of CyberGhost.

4. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN, as indicated by the name, employs a variety of security features that will allow you to stop Facebook tracking of your personal data. Firstly, PrivateVPN uses military-grade 256-bit AES encryption with 2048-bit keys, which provides ultimate protection for your data from the government, cybercriminals, and anyone else.

Additionally, PrivateVPN employs one of the best no-logging policies in the business, meaning that unless you share your own data, there is no way to access it. Whether you are located in Europe or somewhere as harsh as China, your security will be maintained at all times.

In addition to the incredible security, PrivateVPN also excels at basics such as speed and device compatibility. Although the provider’s network is more modest than others on the market, consisting of 100+ nodes across 59 countries, each server is powerful both in terms of speed and processing.

Furthermore, the service is very easy to use; whether you are using a smartphone, computer, or game console, the free remote setup will simplify the process and only take a few minutes. Extra features include unlimited speed, unlimited server switches, and the ability to connect six devices at the same time.

See more impressive security features in our full PrivateVPN review.

5. PureVPN

PureVPN is one of the leaders in the industry despite its modest price tag. The installation process only takes a few moments, and the provider has dedicated apps for almost all devices and systems, including Linux, Android, game consoles, and even WiFi routers.

With 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries, PureVPN allows you to connect with virtually any location in the world, making it ideal for bypassing regional blocks and beating hardcore censorship. Furthermore, no limitations on bandwidth and ultra-fast speeds allow you to enjoy the seamless connections even if you are using the service every single day.

When it comes to security, PureVPN does not fall far behind industry leaders. The provider uses 256-bit AES encryption, which always protects your data and makes it impossible for anyone to trace your activity back to your identity. Furthermore, PureVPN’s Ozone technology maintains your privacy even when you are online, including your data, identity, and other personal information.

The leak protection feature helps protect your IP address, notifying you should the connection ever get interrupted. Furthermore, the DDoS protection feature is capable of defeating even the most complex DDoS attacks, adding yet another layer of security to your information.

PureVPN is available for mobile and desktop devices, and as a browser extension for Firefox or Chrome.

How is Facebook tracking me?

As the recent years have shown, sharing information has become a major part of our world, especially in digital terms. Every day, millions of “like” and “share” buttons are clicked, and it seems like every part of our browsing history is tracked and used by Facebook’s advertising algorithm. As a result, every time you start researching something on your computer, Facebook immediately spews out tens of ads related to the topic, raising the question – are they listening? Or is their algorithm this advanced?

So, how do they track us? It’s important to understand that today, almost all websites have Facebook widgets or buttons. These buttons and ads not only contain your standard tracking information, but a Facebook ID number, which continues to snoop around your personal data long after you have logged out of the social media platform. This is done through something called “cookies”, which are basically simple files created when you visit a website. These cookies, however store bits of your information based on your interaction with your website, and continue gathering data once you log out.

Why is Facebook tracking me?

Firstly, for marketing and, in turn, money purposes. Tracking your personal information allows them to increase their actionable advertising target data, which basically means that they are increasing their chances of making profit off of you. Unfortunately, this sort of invasion of your privacy has become routine on the Internet, and the major companies like Facebook and Google almost seem invincible when it comes to maintaining your privacy. With the right VPN, however, you’ll be able to not only keep your data secure, but put an end to anyone lurking around your activity logs and private information.

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George P.H.

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