The easiest VPN yet, and for free

Virtual Private Networks are a growth industry worldwide, and for good reason.

VPNs provide two major advantages to computer and smartphone users on the internet, in the cloud or even just using company networks while on the road.

The first reason to have a VPN, at least on standby, is for privacy. A basic function of a VPN is to hide the owner. When using a direct connection to the internet, it is trivial for anyone you connect to, or through, to determine a lot of information about you, including where you are - sometimes to within a few yards.

The other reason is connected.

Many countries employ censorship, and virtually every country has various monitoring programs in place. Even in free countries, internet providers are often watching, and always logging your activities.

In countries like China, for example, the government makes major efforts to block access to unfriendly websites, or to those with information it thinks citizens should not have. With a VPN operating in the background, you simply sail right through those government firewalls.

And there's a third reason. Companies often block access to their features except to those within the "correct" geographical area. People in the United States can't watch the BBC's iPlayer, people in Britain can't watch Hulu or Netflix. Hundreds of other sites have similar restrictions.

With a VPN, you are essentially in the "permitted" area.

It's a reverse take on the old, "Now you see it, now you don't" meme. With a VPN, it's more often, "Now you don't see it, now you do."

Betternet is a quite excellent new app that runs on Windows computers, all Apple hardware and Android phones and tablets. Plug-ins for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers are available.

Here's the thing: Betternet is the simplest VPN yet seen. And here's the other thing: It's free, as in "no cost whatever".

There's not much to say about the app itself. You can't tweak it, there are no settings. Once you install it, there are two things you can do. You can turn it on, or turn it off.

You can read up and download Betternet if you choose at the app's internet home page www.betternet.co - note, "co" not "com".