HideMyAss VPN Review
TABLE OF CONTENT
The improvement of the web and the limitations governments are putting on it implies it’s even easier than ever before to have your entire life exposed online. Web-based banking, browsing history, private messages — these are totally tracked and stored by your Internet Service Provider. In the US and some other counties, they can even offer this information to sponsors.
Which means you’re wide open to all sorts of advertiser schemes. They could even charge you more for your favourite subscription services once they know how much you love them! As well as this there’s access to your private messages, adult content viewings and entire browsing history — all open to tracking, storing and selling by your ISP when you don’t have a VPN service.
Besides, Cybersecurity issues are becoming a day-to-day struggle for businesses. Recent trends, side effects of a global pandemic and cybersecurity statistics reveal a huge increase in hacked and breached data from sources that are increasingly common in the workplace, like mobile and IoT devices. On top of this, COVID-19 has ramped up remote workforces, making inroads for cyber attacks.
For these reasons, we need a VPN while browsing through the internet. You may wonder what actually VPN is? So let me tell you that, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It allows you to surf the web anonymously and securely from anywhere. VPNs protect you by creating an encrypted tunnel that connects your computer to the internet, Wi‑Fi hotspots and other networks.
HideMyAss is a popular VPN service provider. And here is the detailed HideMyAss VPN Review. I will cover HideMyAss VPN features, Pricing, HideMyAss VPN Pros and Cons in my HMA VPN Review.
HMA (formerly HideMyAss!) is a virtual private network (VPN) provider founded in 2005 in the United Kingdom. It has been a subsidiary of the Czech cybersecurity company Avast since 2016. A HideMyAssVPN works by encrypting your internet connection and swaps out your IP address (which identifies your device) for another one. Simply talking. HMA VPN works in simple three steps:
- Connect: Switch on your VPN to access the internet. Instead of using your own IP address. HMA VPN will offer you a random different IP address.
- Encrypt: Your Internet Connection is now encrypted using bank-grade standards. Nothing can be intercepted, seen or tracked while you browse through the internet using a VPN.
- Freedom: Now you are free to surf the web privately, securely and without any restriction. Your IP is masked by VPN and you are invisible to anyone on the web now.
You can use HideMyAss VPN to:
- Online Privacy: While using HMA VPN, you can maintain your online privacy by masking your IP from being able to track, store or even sell your browsing data.
- Streaming: Stream your favourite TV shows from anywhere in the world by using different servers that are provided by HMA VPN.
- Access Restricted Sites: HideMyAss helps you to access blocked websites and software/application.
- Secure Public Wi-fi: You can safely use open public wifi without the risk of being hacked.
- Research: You can also access geo-restricted sites for exploration and research.
HideMyAss VPN service promises “total privacy and protection,” plus the latest and greatest OpenVPN protocol and encryption options. It claims to give you access to your favourite sites online like Netflix and others. Is it more like a proxy or a full-blown VPN service? HideMyAss (HMA)VPN delivered consistent server speeds, delivers good device compatibility, along with a ton of servers. Let’s have a clear look at it from this HideMyAss VPN Review.
1. No Logging Policy
A no-log VPN means that the virtual private network provider does not gather, or “log,” any information transmitted through the network. Therefore, your online privacy and anonymity are protected from everybody, even your VPN provider. A no-logging policy is something vital to keeping a VPN service as truly private as possible. VPNs exist to protect privacy, and logging practices run counter to that mission. HideMyAss VPN is audited by Vesperite and are a certified no-log VPN.
HideMyAss No-Logging Policy feature is supported in Windows, Mac,Android, iOS and Linux.
2. Smart Kill Switch
HideMyAss makes your VPN a leak-free zone with Smart Kill Switch, which automatically turns off your internet if your VPN connection ever drops, preventing your location or data from being exposed online. This is the most demanding feature while choosing a viable VPN.
Smart Kill Switch feature is supported in Windows, Mac and Android.
3. Split Tunnelling
Some apps need privacy. Others, not so much. Satisfy both with the Split Tunneling feature of HideMyAss, which lets you pick which apps get VPN protection and which get to connect to the web raw and exposed. HMA split tunnelling lets you route some of your application or device traffic through an encrypted VPN, while other applications or devices have direct access to the internet
This feature is only available for android devices.
4. IP Shuffle
It is very important to randomly change your IP address in order to make sure that you are not being tracked. IP Shuffle features of HideMyAss VPN lets you quickly change your IP address on the fly, helping you evade trackers, spies, and any nasty creeps trying to tail you online.
IP Shuffle feature is supported in Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
5. Advanced Leak Protection
HideMyAss VPN’s built-in protection against IPv4, IPv6, and other DNS leaks, combined with its no-log servers handling your DNS requests, means that not a byte of your data will leak on the web.
Advance Leak Protection feature is supported in Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux.
6. Supports Multiple Platform
HideMyAss VPN is available for multiple devices like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Router, AppleTV, Android TV, Playstation, Xbox. HMA also provide an extension for Chrome and Firefox.
HideMyAss VPN for Android
Before penning down this HideMyAss VPN review I had to test the HideMyAss Android app and I must say I was impressed with the colourful design, which appears to have remained to this day. Besides this, another notable facet of the Android app is that it uses the OpenVPN protocol, which I prefer. All the best Android VPN apps include it, so that’s a good mark in its favour.
HideMyAss VPN for iPhone
Similar to Android, before writing this review of HideMyAss VPN for iPhone/iOS we tested the app and were pleased with its look and feel on the Apple handset. Its colourful, friendly design fits right in and will be accessible even to people who have never used a VPN before.
The iPhone version of HideMy Ass only uses the IPSec VPN protocol. That’s too bad, although the reason likely has to do with Apple’s app developer policies. Still, several of the best VPN apps for iPhone include OpenVPN despite the hoops Apple makes developers jump through. I’d like to see future versions of HideMyAss include this protocol.
HideMyAss for Windows
HMA VPN software will work with any PC that has at least 200 MBs of free memory and runs on Windows 7 SP1 or above, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10.HideMyAss uses OpenVPN on Windows, with an older version of the app that supports L2TP, and PPTP, too.
HideMyAss VPN for Mac
As with Windows, there are two versions of the Hide My Ass app for Apple computers. One is intended for legacy support, while the other is available from the Apple App Store. The legacy edition supports the L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec IKEv1 protocols. The version in the App Store uses the newer IPSec IKEv2 protocol. I’d prefer it if Hide My Ass used OpenVPN.
7. Business Plan
HideMyAss VPN has a business plan. Some of the features of HMA Business plan are:
- Large Vpn Network
- No Log Policy
- Blazing Fast Servers
- OpenVPN Protocol
- Lightning Connect
- Connection Rules
- IP Shuffle
- Kill Switch
- Smart Kill Switch
- No Log DNS
- Leak Shield
A VPN review is incomplete without discussing the security features. So lets have a glance on the Security Protocols offered by HMA VPN.
Military-grade encryption( 256-bit encryption )
On Windows and Android, HideMyAsS implement its encryption with the OpenVPN protocol in Galois Counter Mode (AES-256-GCM), with 4096-bit RSA keys for handshakes, authenticated with SHA256. HMA use unbreakable 256-bit encryption to protect your data from hackers, governments. There is also a good choice of tunnelling protocols including IKEv2, L2TP, and OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
DDoS protection
HMA VPN server security doesn’t just protect your data. it also protects the integrity of your connection, protecting you from DDoS attacks that would try to slow you down. HMA VPN for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux are DDos protected.
DNS Leak Test
A DNS (Domain Name System) leak basically renders one of the main points of a VPN moot. It allows anyone who might be tracking you to see the websites you’re visiting and what you’re doing on them.
Fortunately. HideMyAss VPN Overcome this DNS leak.
HMA VPN hides your IP address and secures everything you do online with 256-bit AES encryption. That means you can:
- Bypass government restrictions and censorship by connecting to one of our 290+ server locations.
- Access geo-blocked content, such as your favourite streaming sites.
- Browse securely and privately on PC, Mac, Android, and iPhone/iPad without any DNS leak.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN (an open-source virtual private network) is a product that offers a simplified security framework, a modular network design and cross-platform portability. OpenVPN® is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It includes several techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It uses SSL/TLS security for encryption and is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls. It was written by James Yonan and is published under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
OpenVPN®allows peers to authenticate each other using a pre-shared secret key, certificates, or username/password. When used in a multi client-server configuration, it allows the server to release an authentication certificate for every client, using signature and Certificate authority. It uses the OpenSSL encryption library extensively, as well as the SSLv3/TLSv1 protocol, and contains many security and control features. It is sometimes used by computer gamers as a way of accessing LAN games over the internet.
From the above discussion, you can surely conclude that we can trust this VPN application in long term.
| PLANS | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MONTH PLAN | ✔ 1100+ servers WorldWide ✔ 20 Gbps connection speeds ✔ Servers for streaming ✔ P2P connections ✔ Lightning Connect ✔ Split-Tunnelling ✔ Kill Switch ✔ supports Multiple Devices | $ 11.99/month |
| 12 MONTH PLAN | ✔ Same As Above | $ 4.99/month (Save 58 %) |
| 36 MONTH PLAN | ✔ Same As Above | $ 2.99/month (Save 75 %) |
As you can see that there are 3 plans, namely, 1-month plan, 12-month plan and 36-month plan from HideMyAss Price Structure above. HMA Vpn also provides 7 days trial option and a 30-days money aback guarantee.
HideMyAss VPN also provides business plans. Let’s have a look at the HMA Business Plans Pricing.
Detail Advantages Of HideMyAss VPN
1. Pretty Consistent Server Speeds
HMA’s combined speed tests is quite consistent on most of its servers. Let’s have a glance of how HMA performs in their servers. While writing this HideMyAss VPN review it came to our notice that the HMA server benchmark speeds without a VPN were 97 Mbps download and 53 Mbps upload. Later, we got connected to various VPN servers around the world and were able to use a reputable third-party tool (SpeedTest.net) to get current performance readings.
HideMyAss VPN upload and download speed can be such as follows:
US Server (New York)
Ping: 113ms
Download: 58.98 Mbps (39% slower)
Upload: 30.38 Mbps (43% slower)
EU Server (Amsterdam)
Ping: 41ms
Download: 63.34 Mbps (35% slower)
Upload: 50.12 Mbps (6% slower)
Asia Server (Hong Kong)
Ping: 284ms
Download: 19.25 Mbps (80% slower)
Upload: 13.09 Mbps (75% slower)
UK Server (London)
Ping: 45ms
Download: 64.42 Mbps (34% slower)
Upload: 43.30 Mbps (19% slower)
These are quite decent in the real world. They’re not the fastest by any stretch. But the US, EU, and UK servers were all much consistent, which is a good indicator of overall performance across their other servers. Unfortunately, Asia dragged them down a bit. However, if you have a 75% chance at getting the US, EU, or UK speeds, you should be enough happy.
2. Tons of Servers Available in Major Countries
HMA’s servers reach out across all six inhabited continents which is a huge plus to be mentioned in this HideMyAss VPN Review. That’s 1070 + servers in 290+ locations across 210+ countries. They reach out to remote destinations like Greenland, covering Africa and the Middle East pretty well, covering a few smaller Pacific Islands, too. It seems like the only place they don’t have a server is in Antarctica. HideMyAss Servers in different countries. That’s significant because many other VPN companies tout huge server lists, only to have them all highly concentrated in North America and Europe — leaving the rest of the world high and dry.
3. Good Device Compatibility
HideMyAss! has pre-built apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. They also offer a business VPN plan for larger numbers of devices. Fortunately, HMA works on routers too. FlashRouters in particular, have
HMA pre-installed in them, so all you have to do is just sign in and begin. This means you can hook up a router, and then connect as many devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
You can protect all of these devices with OpenVPN (256-bit encryption), PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. It’s not the most extensive protocol list I have ever seen, but again, it covers the basics well. Most people should just stick to OpenVPN by default, anyway. Unless device limitations force them into L2TP/IPSec. And as a general rule, stay away from PPTP as much as possible.
4. Easy-to-Use
The HMA app is very simple to use. Sign up for an account, grab your install files and authentication code, and you’re all set to begin. The app is even available in multiple languages, so you’ve got tons of options. Simply log in with your access credentials, and you’re a click away from connecting.
HideMyAss! VPN client login– You can get connected instantly. Or, switch up your location and adjust settings. That’s all it is about! No complexity or technical skills are required as it can be said that it is one of the more user-friendly apps ever tested to date.
5. Leak-Free Connection
VPN connections aren’t always as secure as they appear to be. The little green icon on your app looks good to go. But your ISP (and everyone else) can actually see where you’re sitting. I ran HMA VPN through a series of DNS and WebRTC leak tests to specifically look for this problem, and they came out clean in each one. Hidemyass is free of leaks. Unfortunately, they did slightly let us down in the VirusTotal.com test.
6. HideMyAss VPN For Netflix
First of all, you need to clear two questions. Firstly, do you need a VPN to watch Netflix? No. Secondly, do you need a VPN to watch all the best region-locked content like shows in the USA and the UK, for that Netflix might otherwise not offer you? Yes.
HMA VPN lets you access geo-blocked content on Netflix. Here, is the steps to watch foreign content on Netflix:
STEP 1: Get HMA VPN – You’ll need to actually get a VPN before you can use it.
STEP 2: Choose a server – Once you turn your brand-new VPN on, you’ll get to choose where you want to connect from. Pick a proxy server anywhere in the United States if you want to watch US shows, or servers in other countries if you want to watch their shows instead. Some countries, like Germany and America, even have servers that are optimized for streaming.
STEP 3: Enjoy the show – Once the VPN is connected, you’re ready to go. Log in to Netflix and start binging until your butt merges with your couch cushions.
Copyright law oftentimes means that many of the coolest shows, or your favourites, are inaccessible depending on where you live, or where you’re travelling. HideMyAss VPN will let you bypass those restrictions, giving you unfiltered access to any show Netflix has in its exhaustive library.
Detail Disadvantages Of HideMyAss VPN
HMA! delivers most of the features you’d be looking for. No issues or glaring holes there. Speed is pretty good. Tons of servers. Available for most devices. But it’s what’s under the hood that scares us a little bit. Read on to find out.
1. Potential Suspicious File in their Install
A VPN protects you from the prying eyes of aggressive governments, ISPs, or hackers. But who, exactly, protects you from the VPN themselves? That’s the key question we’re trying to help you with within this HideMyAss Review. For starters, I take the installation files from every single VPN provider and run them through VirusTotal.com to double-check that they’re not inadvertently infecting your machine. HMA!’s files came back with a suspicious warning. HideMyAss virus total potential warning could be a false positive. However, you might want to test your own install files to make sure they’re clean before downloading to your device. But unfortunately, it’s also just the beginning of a few warning signs.
2. HideMyAss VPN actually collects some Log Files
Here’s where HMA! lets us down. Their logging policy confirms that they hang on to the following data:
1. Username
2. Connect and disconnect timestamps
3. Amount of data transmitted (upload and download)
4. The IP address used to connect to the VPN
5. The IP address of the VPN server using
Already, that is not anything good that requires mention in our HideMyAss VPN Review. You don’t necessarily want your VPN to keep track of your own IP address. Because that still gives them a direct link between online activities and your location (and potentially your identity). But that’s not all they track.
They also have the power to collect the following:
- Prevent and detect fraud against the service (e.g. credit card fraud).
- Prevent and detect abuse of the network, such as spamming, file sharing or other illicit activity.
- Monitor the use of the network for technical purposes and to manage and improve the service.
Sounds harmless? But It does on the surface. However, when you consider a few historical events, you can see where the warning spots start popping up. “Recursion” was the online name used by Cody Kretsinger, a hacker involved in the Sony Pictures hack of 2011. “Was” is the keyword there. Because Cody’s now sitting in jail for a very long time. HMA handed his information over to the FBI, which was instrumental in Kretsinger’s conviction. HMA did their best to justify their actions, but they haven’t managed to live down to their reputation. Of course, I don’t condone using VPNs for illegal activity. But the fact that the VPN provider had information on Kretsinger’s activities and handed it over to law enforcement is constantly worrying many people. Especially when you take into account their jurisdiction.
3. Poor Customer Support
HideMyAss VPN support team is available on social media and email. Except, they don’t respond as quickly as I like to hear from them. Many support requests on Twitter are simply referred to as the standard channels. There are some situations in which they’ll ask for a DM with additional information, though. So, their support services aren’t that good enough, further adding to the list of cons in this HideMyAss VPN Review.
4. HideMyVpn For China – Doesn’t Work
HideMyAss VPN For China does not work reliably. It used to, but recent HMA team responses in support forums have indicated that the service will no longer work for some users. So this VPN is not recommended in this HideMyAss VPN review if you wish to use it for China.
HideMyAss! starts out well. Speed and server numbers were respectable. Plus, they might have the best name of the lot. But in the end, privacy concerns are just too overwhelming. In the end, the question arises- Is HideMyAss really able to hide your ass? And the answer is Yes.
Keeping in view, that HMA VPN provides a lot of other tools like IP Checker, DNS Leak Test, WebRTC Test, this VPN is a viable choice for many users. Besides, HMA VPN’s network even has five servers optimized for streaming so you can watch your favourite content in HD without buffering delays. I have also tested HMA for banned like PUBG, and I am really impressed with the result.
So overall we can end this HIdeMyAss Review on a positive note, that HideMyAss can be justified as a great VPN that can give access to region-locked content.
NOTE: Accessing banned websites by using VPN is still illegal. You may face serious Legal problems while doing so.
I hope you have liked my HideMyAss VPN Review (2021). If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below. I will be happy to respond.
Meanwhile You Can Also Check Our VPN Section Where You Will Find Lots Of Other Best VPN
