I'm a VPN expert, and I've been using this $2 per month VPN deal for over two years to protect my phone, computer, and TV, as well as protect my devices from viruses and data breaches — here's how you can claim it yourself

Protecting yourself online needn't cost more than $2.50 per month. Regardless of constant conversations around data breaches and putting data online to verify your age, it's easier than ever to put the tools you need in the palm of your hand.

In the two years I've been writing about VPNs, one tool has done this better than most, Surfshark.

It's not perfect, NordVPN remains the best VPN I've tested overall, but it hits all the markers I look for in a great VPN, without inflating the cost to match. Unlimited device connections, fast protocols, capable in regions such as China, and, if you pick up a One plan, stacked with added everyday tools.

Antivirus is a given, and, unlike NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro, you get full protection on mobile too. Data breach alerts keep me informed if my data is compromised and put online, secure search gives me a protected browsing experience free from ads, and then there's Alternative ID.

This offers a whole new identity I can use online, including email and home address, name, and date of birth. So, if I want to sign up for a newsletter for a cheeky added discount, I can, without worrying about what would happen to my actual data should that site be breached.

Right now, this costs $2.08 per month for two years. That's a smidge over $56, and adds 3 extra months of protection for that price, giving you 27 months of access instead.

Where Surfshark hasn't quite caught up yet is with it's upmost security. The likes of NordVPN and ExpressVPN currently use slightly more substantial encryption methods. Both these providers also already offer wider post-quantum encryption capabilities, though it's good to see Surfshark adding this.

That said, for me, if you're new to VPNs, it's the best option to give you the tools you need every day. It lacks a password manager, something that both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer. But Surfshark's apps do a much better job at retaining capabilities such as antivirus, no matter the device you're on.

If you're after something super-cheap, Surfshark's actually not the cheapest top VPN available right now. Both PIA and CyberGhost can be picked up for around $1.75/month, a few cents cheaper than Surfshark's $1.78 starting point. But you'll get a much better experience across devices with a Surfshark plan.