How to Cancel Your Avast VPN Subscription (And What to Replace It With)
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have become an essential tool for safeguarding your online privacy and security. By encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your real IP address, VPNs allow you to browse the web safely and anonymously without your ISP, government, or any third parties snooping on your activity.
One popular VPN provider is Avast, which offers the Avast SecureLine VPN service. Avast VPN features servers in 55 locations across 34 countries, military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logging policy, and user-friendly apps for all major platforms.
However, you may find yourself needing to cancel your Avast VPN subscription for various reasons – perhaps you‘re not satisfied with the service, you‘ve found a better alternative, or you no longer need a VPN. Whatever your reasons, this guide will walk you through the steps to cancel Avast VPN and get a refund if eligible. We‘ll also look at some top alternatives to Avast VPN and discuss the latest trends shaping the VPN industry today.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Your Avast VPN Subscription
Canceling your Avast VPN subscription is a fairly straightforward process that can be done from your Avast Account online. Here‘s how to do it:
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Go to your Avast Account at my.avast.com and log in with your username and password.
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Click on the Subscriptions tile and find your SecureLine VPN subscription.
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Click the Unsubscribe button next to your VPN plan. You‘ll be asked to confirm the cancellation.
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If you have a multi-device subscription, you‘ll need to cancel each device license individually by clicking Unsubscribe next to each one.
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Provide a reason for why you‘re canceling when prompted. This step is optional but helps Avast improve their service.
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Click Continue to finalize the cancellation. Your VPN plan will now say "Expires on [date]" and will be disabled after that date.
That‘s it! Your recurring Avast VPN subscription is now canceled. But what if you‘ve paid for a long-term plan upfront and want your money back? Let‘s look at Avast‘s refund policy next.
Avast VPN Refund Policy Explained
If you purchased your Avast VPN subscription within the last 30 days, you‘re eligible for a refund of your unused time under Avast‘s 30-day money-back guarantee. Here‘s how their refund policy works:
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The 30-day refund window begins from the date of purchase, not the date of cancellation. So you can cancel anytime within the first 30 days for a full refund.
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Refunds are only available for subscriptions purchased directly from Avast. If you bought your VPN plan through a third-party reseller or app store, you‘ll need to request a refund from them instead, subject to their refund policies.
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Refunds are issued to your original payment method and can take up to 30 days to process.
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Refunds are not available for subscriptions that are canceled after the 30-day money-back guarantee window. You‘ll continue to have access to the VPN until the end of your paid subscription period.
To request a refund from Avast, contact their customer support team via their website within 30 days of your VPN purchase. After verifying your eligibility, they will process your refund request.
Top Alternatives to Avast VPN
Just because Avast VPN wasn‘t the right fit for you doesn‘t mean you should give up on using a VPN altogether. There are many excellent VPN providers out there with robust security, fast speeds, large server networks, and easy-to-use apps. Here are some of the top alternatives to Avast VPN to consider:
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ExpressVPN – A premium, feature-rich VPN with 3000+ servers in 94 countries, best-in-class encryption, blazing fast speeds, 24/7 live chat support, and a proven no-logging policy. Rated the overall best VPN by many reviewers.
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NordVPN – Another leading VPN provider that offers 5400+ servers across 59 countries, strong privacy and security features, fast and reliable performance, and 24/7 customer support. Slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN.
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Surfshark – A budget-friendly VPN that doesn‘t compromise on security or speed. Offers 3200+ servers in 65 countries, unlimited device connections, CleanWeb ad-blocking, MultiHop VPN chains, and 24/7 support.
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ProtonVPN – A highly secure and privacy-focused VPN service from the makers of ProtonMail. Features 1200+ servers in 55 countries, advanced security features like Secure Core and perfect forward secrecy, and a free plan with no data caps.
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CyberGhost – A beginner-friendly VPN with 6700+ servers across 90 countries, dedicated streaming and torrenting servers, built-in ad-blocking, and up to 7 simultaneous connections. Offers great value for money.
When choosing a VPN service, be sure to consider factors like server coverage, security and privacy features, speed and reliability, compatibility with your devices, customer support, and pricing. Don‘t just go for the cheapest option – investing in a reputable paid VPN is worth it for the enhanced security and performance.
The Latest Trends in VPN Technology
The VPN industry has evolved rapidly in recent years to keep up with growing demands for online privacy and security. Let‘s take a look at some of the key trends and developments shaping the future of VPNs:
- WireGuard protocol goes mainstream
Many VPNs are now adopting the WireGuard protocol, a newer alternative to legacy protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. WireGuard is designed to be faster, more secure, and easier to configure than other protocols. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and has a lean codebase that‘s easier to audit for security vulnerabilities.
More and more VPN providers are offering WireGuard as an option alongside their existing protocols. Some, like Mullvad and IVPN, have even made WireGuard their default protocol due to its performance benefits. Expect WireGuard to become the new standard in VPN protocols in the coming years.
- No-logging policies face greater scrutiny
One of the key reasons to use a VPN is to prevent your online activity from being monitored and logged. However, not all VPNs are equal when it comes to logging policies. Many VPNs claim to keep "no logs" but the reality is often more nuanced.
Due to privacy regulations like GDPR and increased pressure from consumers, VPN logging policies are facing greater scrutiny than ever. Many leading providers are now undergoing independent security audits and real-world tests of their no-logging claims for greater transparency.
When choosing a VPN, look for services that are upfront about what data they collect and have had their logging policies audited by reputable third parties. Avoid free VPNs that often log and sell user data to advertisers.
- Decentralized VPNs aim to boost privacy
Decentralized VPNs are an emerging technology that aims to offer greater privacy and anonymity than traditional VPNs. While a regular VPN routes your traffic through a centralized network of servers owned by the VPN provider, a decentralized VPN distributes your traffic across a peer-to-peer network of nodes.
This makes it much harder for anyone, including the VPN provider itself, to track and log your online activity. Examples of decentralized VPN services include Orchid and Mysterium Network, which use blockchain technology and cryptocurrency payments for added privacy.
While decentralized VPNs are still a niche technology, they have the potential to revolutionize online privacy in the coming years as they mature and gain adoption.
- VPNs being built into browsers and operating systems
Traditionally, using a VPN required installing a separate app on your device. But in recent years, we‘ve seen a trend of VPNs being built directly into web browsers and operating systems for greater convenience.
Browsers like Opera, Brave, and Epic Privacy Browser now offer built-in VPN functionality, allowing you to browse securely without any extra software. On mobile devices, there are now VPN apps for iOS and Android that integrate with the operating system to provide always-on, seamless protection.
Expect more and more platforms to offer integrated VPN functionality in the future as online privacy becomes a standard expectation rather than an add-on feature.
- AI used to optimize VPN performance
Another emerging trend is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the performance and usability of VPNs. Some examples of how AI is being used include:
- Predictive server recommendations that automatically connect you to the fastest available server based on your location, time of day, and network conditions
- Intelligent routing that optimizes traffic across multiple server hops for enhanced speed and security
- Automated troubleshooting that detects and fixes common VPN connectivity issues without manual intervention
- Behavioral analysis to identify unusual traffic patterns and proactively block suspicious activity
As AI technology advances, we can expect to see even smarter and more adaptive VPN solutions that provide a seamless user experience without compromising security or privacy.
VPN Challenges and Concerns
While VPNs offer many benefits, there are also challenges and potential issues to be aware of:
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Privacy – While many VPNs claim to not log user activity, there have been cases of VPNs secretly logging data or handing it over to authorities. Stick with reputable providers and look for third-party audits of logging policies.
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Security – Poorly configured VPNs can leak your real IP address through vulnerabilities like WebRTC leaks. Always use a VPN killswitch if available and test for leaks. Free or low-quality VPNs may use weak encryption as well.
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Performance – VPNs can slow down your internet speed due to encryption overhead and distance to the VPN server. Choose a premium provider with fast servers and modern protocols like WireGuard for best performance. Be aware that some websites like Netflix block connections from known VPN server IPs.
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Reliability – VPN connections can occasionally drop, leaving your data exposed. Use a killswitch to cut off internet access if the VPN drops and avoid relying on VPNs for sensitive activities over unstable networks.
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Logging – VPN providers may log certain connection details like timestamps and bandwidth usage even if they don‘t log your traffic. Use a diskless or RAM-only VPN server if anonymity is a priority. Beware of VPNs that sell "anonymized" user data to advertisers.
The Future of Online Privacy
Looking ahead, the need for VPNs and other privacy tools will only grow as our digital lives become increasingly monitored and monetized. Governments and ISPs around the world are expanding mass surveillance and data retention laws, while tech giants are finding ever more sophisticated ways to track users across devices and services.
In this landscape, VPNs will remain an essential tool for protecting your online privacy and security. However, they are not a magic bullet. VPNs should be used in combination with other best practices like using encrypted messaging apps, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and limiting your digital footprint.
As VPN usage grows, we can expect to see continued innovation in VPN technology as well as ongoing attempts to block and restrict VPNs. Governments may try to regulate or ban VPNs altogether, as we‘ve seen recently in countries like China and Russia. There will likely be an ongoing cat-and-mouse game between VPN providers and the services that try to block them.
At the same time, new privacy-focused networking protocols and platforms are emerging that could change the game. From decentralized VPNs to privacy coins to encrypted mesh networks, there are many promising avenues for protecting privacy at the protocol level rather than relying on centralized VPN providers.
Ultimately, the future of online privacy will depend on a combination of technical innovation, user education, and policy reform. By staying informed and proactive, you can take control of your digital privacy and security in an increasingly monitored world. A reliable VPN is a great place to start.
