CNET Editors' review
CyberGhost VPN is a personal VPN client and online service that lets users browse the Internet anonymously by acting as a firewall and server between your PC and your ISP. It lets you surf the Web normally while hiding your IP address and displaying a dead-end address. It's available in free and premium versions; the free version can only be installed on one PC and only one account can be activated on each computer, whereas the premium account offers more options and features.
CyberGhost installs and sets up easily, including creating a username and password, though we had to reboot our system to finish the process. The program's main screen resembles many antivirus and firewall programs, with a left-hand list of the program's functions, a toolbar, and bar graphs indicating both free and premium traffic while logged on to the VPN. A prominent message warned us that we were not anonymous online and also displayed our current IP address. We clicked Connect to VPN, and a pop-up gave us several options: Connect to Free service, Create Premium connection, and Create Premium Connection with a specified server on a drop-down list. We could also display a list of available Premium servers. We tried both the Free and Premium services, which are similar. We quickly logged on to the CyberGhost VPN service and reopened our browser, which functioned normally, with the exception that our Google search page was now Google.de instead of Google.com, a small matter we quickly rectified. Every site we visited loaded normally.
While CyberGhost boasts that its compression technology loads some sites up to 30 percent faster, our broadband connection seemed slightly slower, and bandwidth tests confirmed our suspicions. However, the delay wasn't dramatic, and CyberGhost offers many server choices to help users maximize their bandwidth, though the Premium service offers more choices than the free one. The program gives copious assistance. We also found the extra features easy to set up and use. The online Data Safe offers both password and key file protection, and an extensive anti-spy tool can block many different processes. Whether you opt for the free basic service or premium features, CyberGhost VPN is well worth trying; you have nothing to lose but online snoops!
Editors' note:This is a review of the full version of CyberGhost VPN 4.7.16. The trial version has limited features and functionality.
Publisher's Description
From CyberGhost:
Any time you visit a website you leave information about your interest, any time you click on any link on a given webpage you leave information about yourself, any time you leave a website - well, answer for yourself. While surfing the internet you are building your own personal sphere, made out of your habits, your interests, your opinions, your hopes, your wishes and your consumption of whatever you are searching for in life. The question is: Will you let them take it and use it for their own purposes? It is at least unpolite, most of the times unethical and for some of us even dangerous. Or will you fight back? By hiding your identity, for example. With CyberGhost VPN. Ok, CyberGhost does not pretend intruders from entering your internet sphere. In fact, there is an AntiSpy module on board, which helps you holding back information, but that is not CyberGhost is main task. Instead the software is purely meant to keep you invisible while surfing the internet. Trackers will still track, but they wont track you down, because your IP address will be hidden. In the end all information they collect will be worthless, cause there will be no real life person to connect it to - if you do not tell them, who you are. We certainly would not do it. With CyberGhost VPN you share an IP address with a number of other users to ensure you cannot be identified. Moreover, all communication between your computer and our server is encrypted and well protected to prevent any eavesdropping on data transfers. Currently CyberGhost VPN offers many servers in different countries like Germany, USA, Netherland, Switzerland and Ukraine.
This product can be upgraded to Premium Plus by buying a 12-month licence for $154.95 and receiving 3 months free.
What's new in this version: Version 4.7.18 includes more Servers and faster connection.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 59 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 19 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Not worth the time energy and money"
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
It looks impressive on the computer.
Cons
The paid version is way over-priced. There is questionable privacy in many ways. Big waste of time to install, configure, utilize, and connect to service. Biggest apparent internet scam on the internet....useless, wasteful, time-consuming, lousey, application.
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"Free version works well."
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
The free version works very well. Only limitation is 1GB.
Cons
Paid version is too expensive. I'd considering purchasing it if monthly or yearly price was lower.
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"Cyber Ghost is a SCAM!"
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Absolutely None! CYBER GHOST IS A CREDIT CARD SCAM SCHEME.
Cons
They take your money but do not deliver the download.
Summary
Two days ago I ordered Cyber Ghost's Premium Plus and paid with Visa. Cyber Ghost never sent a confirmation email for my purchase and they failed to send the download or activation key. I called their US telephone number yesterday and discovered it is "No Longer in Service." Cyber Ghost is a fraud and I'm stunned that CNET who I've always trusted is pushing this garbage from their Website.
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"It works.."
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Free service gave me plenty of usage time.
Cons
Premium is expensive.
Takes longer to connect during the day.Summary
I ran this program while I logged in to my college e-mail account. My college then promptly shut down my account because someone logged in from another country (it was just me). I guess this thing works. Now I have to convince them to reactivate my account.
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"The so called "VPN" exposed to be a proxy server."
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Kinda nice interface.
Cons
I was curious to see if this program does as claimed. It turns out it does not provide a Virtual Private Network service at all. It does not act as a VPN, it acts as a proxy server with authentication. All this program does is authenticates you with the servers and picks the best proxy to you with the least latency and then configures windows to automatically connect to it. Basically this is just a proxy server and a big waste of time. I would not recommend downloading this if you are looking for a proper VPN.
Summary
Waste of time as its just a proxy server network.
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"Not Freeware!"
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
It was useful when connected to servers that didnt block me access to my sites
Cons
99% of the time blocked me to sites that were unblocked in the first place!
Summary
Probably worth a subscription but still an easy con!
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"full version free with this months pc pro march 2012"
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Has been working great for me even better getting a premium account free for 12 months. works great at hiding ip address which is always handy!!
Cons
none its perfect
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"Performance of free version is miserable"
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Nothing interesting about the free version
Cons
The program is either falsely advertised as free, or, falsely rated by editors. There is absolutely nothing interesting about the free version of this software. Several ads during install, and 15 mins wait to connect to a server unless you pay them a registration fee. This is simply a rip-off and misuse of free-software terms. Very disappointed, and such a waste of time.
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"Could not get to work. Very confusing install."
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Could not get to work in order to decide.
Cons
Not sure what is was doing. Was it installed? Is it on? Who knows. Page after page and still not sure where I was in the install process/sign on.
Summary
Nope.
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"Contains a browser hijacker. Avoid like the plague."
Version: CyberGhost VPN 4.7.18
Pros
Gimme a break.
Cons
This changes your search engine and other settings. Do not download. What a nasty trick this company plays. CNET needs to jettison their *****.
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