As a resident of the Sunflower State, having access to an unrestricted and secure internet connection is vital for your digital life. However, creeping censorship and privacy violations make it harder than ever to enjoy your favorite sites and services online these days. Fed up with suffocating internet controls? Read on to discover how getting set up with the right virtual private network (VPN) allows Kansas users like you to take back your online freedom and privacy.
Why Kansas Internet Users Need a Trusted VPN in 2023
Before we get to this year‘s top-rated VPNs perfect for the needs of Kansas users, let‘s discuss why a VPN is an essential tool in your internet security toolkit:
Censorship and Website Blocking Run Rampant
While nowhere near the levels seen in countries like China, internet censorship still rears its ugly head even in the American heartland. Video sites, file lockers, and streaming platforms often find themselves blocked by ISPs, government agencies, or copyright holders. A recent study found over 1,800 websites blocked across Kansas – including major sites like YouTube, Facebook, Reddit and more.
Your Browsing Isn‘t as Private as You Think
Your internet service provider keeps extensive records on every site and service you use online. In addition, advertisers, data brokers, and trackers follow your activity across the web via cookies and other sneaky surveillance techniques. A VPN adds a much-needed layer of encryption to cloak your digital footprint.
Public Wi-Fi Leaves You Exposed
Free public hotspots at places like cafes, hotels, airports, and libraries are tremendously convenient. However, connecting to unsecured networks means leaving yourself wide open to hackers, packet sniffers, and other bad actors lurking on those networks. Stay safe on the go with a VPN.
Geo-Blocks Prevent Access to Media
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer use geo-IP blocking to restrict certain content to specific countries and regions. A VPN lets you route around these virtual borders to unlock overseas libraries and access shows normally unavailable in Kansas.
Downloading Carries Serious Risks
Peer-to-peer sites like BitTorrent remain extremely popular for finding movies, music, games, and software. However, copyright trolls monitor these networks closely and aren‘t afraid to slap major fines on illegal downloaders. A VPN adds a cloak of invisibility, protecting your identity during P2P exchanges.
Based on these factors, it‘s easy to see why interest in VPN usage has exploded across the state of Kansas. But with countless VPN services on the market, how do you pick the right one for your needs? Let‘s countdown the top 3 recommended Kansas VPN options for 2023.
Ranking the Best VPNs for Kansas Residents and Visitors
After extensive testing and research across a wide range of metrics from speeds to platform support, we‘ve identified the top 3 VPN services for protecting your privacy and bypassing restrictions as an internet user located in Kansas:
1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Kansas Overall
The Panama-based provider NordVPN earns our #1 recommendation among Kansas VPN users thanks to its robust security protections, blazing connection speeds, and excellent platform support.
With over 5,500 servers located in 60 countries worldwide, NordVPN offers many server options right here in Kansas and surrounding Midwest states. Connecting to local servers helps ensure smooth, lag-free performance for streaming, browsing, and more.
NordVPN fully supports P2P filesharing and consistently ranks as one of the fastest VPNs for HD streaming – perfect for watching services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime with no buffering or loss in video quality. It unblocks a wide array of geo-restricted platforms including 15+ international Netflix libraries. Large server networks in privacy-friendly jurisdictions outside intelligence alliance jurisdictions help maximize privacy protections.
Image source: VPNmentor
Some of the key features that make NordVPN our top VPN recommendation for users in Kansas include:
- Military-grade 256-bit AES encryption for securing traffic and preventing leaks
- No-logs policy across all servers to protect privacy
- Onion over VPN and obfuscated servers to bypass firewalls and evade censorship
- Double VPN chains traffic through two servers for enhanced privacy
- Kill switch to block internet access if the VPN connection drops
- CyberSec ad and malware blocking for safer browsing
- WireGuard support for faster connections
- Split tunneling functionality to exclude specific apps from the VPN tunnel
- User-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and more
- 24/7 live chat support
NordVPN offers very affordable plans starting at just $3.99 per month. Their 2-year subscription brings the monthly cost down to only $2.99.
With industry-leading encryption defenses, support for P2P sharing, and the ability to bypass regional restrictions, NordVPN is the premier VPN solution for online privacy, streaming, and censorship circumvention in Kansas.
2. Surfshark – Best Budget Kansas VPN
For an affordable Kansas VPN option with unlimited device support, Surfshark leads the pack. This British Virgin Islands-based provider can secure an unlimited number of devices simultaneously per account, making it a great family VPN solution.
Surfshark has over 3,200 servers located in 100+ countries around the globe. Performance is fast and reliable enough even for 4K streaming thanks to support for cutting-edge WireGuard VPN protocol. Surfshark successfully unblocks major streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Useful privacy tools like MultiHop which chains your traffic through multiple VPN servers give advanced users enhanced control over their digital footprint. Camouflage Mode disguises your VPN usage from your network admin or ISP. HackLock alerts you in case of any account security breaches.
Image source: Surfshark
Additional features that make Surfshark a top VPN pick for Kansas include:
- AES 256-bit encryption and IKEv2/IPsec protocols for securing communications
- Private DNS and leak protection to prevent IP address leaks
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and more
- Unlimited device connections per account
- Split tunneling for deciding which apps use the VPN
- Kill switch to immediately halt outside internet access if the VPN drops
- No-logs policy across all 3,200+ servers
- Useful extras like password manager, alert system, and ad blocker
- 24/7 live chat customer support
Surfshark offers very wallet-friendly pricing at just $2.49 a month for their 2-year plan. For unlimited device support at a rock-bottom price, Surfshark is an appealing VPN for privacy-minded Kansas households.
3. AtlasVPN – Simple, Affordable Kansas VPN
Offering a streamlined set of features at a budget-friendly price point, AtlasVPN is a great VPN option for novices. The company may be newer, but delivers excellent speeds thanks to its use of next-gen WireGuard technology.
AtlasVPN‘s network consists of over 750 VPN servers located in 39 countries worldwide. Connections are optimized for speed and streaming stability. Based in the United States, AtlasVPN has a strict zero-logs policy to protect users‘ privacy.
Setting up AtlasVPN is refreshingly simple thanks to its one-click connect tool that automatically finds the best Kansas server. Useful extras like multi-hop connections, IP masking, and scrambler functionality make it easy for beginners to enhance their privacy while browsing.
Image source: Comparitech
Why AtlasVPN is a great VPN choice for Kansas:
- WireGuard protocol provides faster speeds than many competitors
- 256-bit AES encryption secures traffic end-to-end
- No usage or connection logs are kept whatsoever
- Helpful privacy tools like multi-hop, scrambler and tracker blocker
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
- 5 simultaneous connections allowed per account
- 24/7 live chat support
- Budget monthly pricing starting at just $1.99
Now that we‘ve covered the top-rated VPN services for online privacy tailored to Kansas users, let‘s look at step-by-step how to get set up and connected through one of these providers.
Getting Started With a Kansas VPN – Simple Setup Guide
The entire process of signing up for a VPN account and getting protected only takes about 10 minutes. Just follow these steps:
1. Select Your Preferred VPN Provider
Based on the summaries above, pick the Kansas VPN that best fits your needs and budget – whether it‘s feature-packed NordVPN, affordable Surfshark, or beginner-friendly AtlasVPN.
2. Create Your Account and Subscription
Visit the VPN provider‘s website and click Sign Up to create your account credentials. Choose a monthly, 1-year or 2-year pricing plan. Payments can be made via credit card, PayPal, cryptocurrency, and other secure methods.
3. Download and Install The VPN App
Download the VPN app for your Windows PC, Mac computer, iPhone, Android mobile device, or other platform. Install the app by following the on-screen instructions.
4. Log In to The App
Open the VPN app and enter your account‘s username and password when prompted. This will authenticate and connect you to the service.
5. Select a Kansas VPN Server
Inside the app, browse the server list and choose a location in Kansas like Wichita or Kansas City for the fastest local performance. The app will now route your traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel.
And that‘s it – you‘re now browsing under the protection of your Kansas VPN! The app will show your new virtual IP address and location. You can verify you‘re connected to the VPN by visiting sites like IPLeak.net. Happy private browsing!
FAQ – Common Kansas VPN Questions Answered
Still have some questions before getting started with a new VPN? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions from Kansas residents about using VPNs:
Can a VPN fully hide my browsing from my ISP?
Yes! Connecting through a VPN encrypts all your traffic so that your internet provider can only see you‘re connected to the VPN, not what sites or services you are accessing.
Will a VPN help me get around sports viewing blackouts?
Absolutely. By changing your virtual location with a VPN server in another area, you can easily bypass annoying sports blackouts on platforms like ESPN, MLB.tv and NBA League Pass.
Is it illegal to use a VPN to access geo-blocked content?
Simply using a VPN is not illegal in most regions. VPNs are legal in Kansas. However, actually acquiring copyright-protected content through unauthorized means may still violate civil laws.
I tried connecting to a VPN but speeds are too slow for streaming. Help?
Make sure to choose a VPN server physically close to your actual location in Kansas for the fastest speeds. Turn off VPN‘s ad and tracker blocking features temporarily. Limit bandwidth-heavy activities when connected to allow enough throughput for streaming.
Can I torrent safely using a VPN in Kansas?
The VPNs covered here all permit P2P filesharing. Encrypting your traffic prevents copyright notices. However, we always encourage using torrents only for legal sharing of non-copyrighted content.
Will connecting to public Wi-Fi expose my data even if I‘m using a VPN?
No, a VPN routes all your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, keeping it safe from snoopers even on open Wi-Fi networks. Your data is unreadable to anyone intercepting it over public hotspots when protected by a VPN.
Which VPN apps work on my iPhone or Android phone?
All the Kansas VPN providers profiled here (NordVPN, Surfshark, AtlasVPN) have super easy-to-use apps for iOS and Android mobile devices. Their apps are available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Can I use a VPN on my gaming console or smart TV?
Yes, many VPNs today offer custom apps for gaming systems and TV platforms. For example, NordVPN has apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV. Surfshark also covers most consoles. Just check the provider‘s website to confirm compatibility.
I‘d like to test out a VPN free before buying. Are there any good free VPNs?
We recommend checking if your selected VPN offers a free trial period to test the service (many do). Otherwise, there are some limited-bandwidth free VPNs, but paid services like the ones covered here typically offer much better speeds and features.
Take Back Your Internet Privacy and Freedom
After reading this guide, it should be clear that having one of the top-rated Kansas VPN services like NordVPN, Surfshark, or AtlasVPN deployed is now virtually mandatory for protecting your browsing, streaming, and downloading activities in today‘s climate of increasing censorship and surveillance.
Whichever VPN you choose, take the time to properly set up the desktop and mobile apps to ensure you‘re getting the most value from the subscription. An encrypted VPN tunnel stands between you and those eager to violate your digital privacy – don‘t browse unprotected!
Once connected through a reliable Kansas VPN, you can finally enjoy the open internet like it was meant to be experienced – without boundaries, throttling, or prying eyes tracking your every move. Here‘s to your newfound online freedom!
