This week’s best VPN deals: ExpressVPN, ZenMate, Hotspot Shield

Restoring the files on your PC or Mac after the death of a hard drive or even following a malware attack is possible with the right recovery tools, but why let things go that far? Regularly backing up your files should be part of any computer user’s routine, and there are a number of ways you can improve your security online to help prevent falling victim to a malware attack.

By using a VPN to connect to the internet, you can add an additional layer of security between your devices and the networks you connect to that will help protect your sensitive data and anything else stored on your hard drive.

Most VPN service providers offer services globally and thus charge in US Dollars rather than in local currencies, so we've listed pricing in Dollars for the sake of simplicity. Bear in mind that when you click through to the actual deals, you may find the prices automatically displayed in pounds, or whatever your native currency may be.

These are the best deals we found for improving the security of both our desktop PCs and mobile devices:

1. ExpressVPN - Just $99.95 for 15 months

ExpressVPN has over 1,000 servers across 136 locations with support for up to three simultaneous devices. This VPN offers native clients for a host of platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and even BlackBerry. ExpressVPN also comes with full P2P support, a kill switch and solid performance levels across the board.

2. ZenMate - Only $38.40 for 12 months

This highly user-friendly VPN is a great choice for novice users as the company has really simplified the setup process. ZenMate has servers in more than 30 locations worldwide and its Windows client can be up and running in just a few clicks. The company also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the service.

3. Hotspot Shield - Lifetime license for $139.99

Hotspot Shield offers great download speeds as well as support for private browsing and up to five devices. This VPN has 2,000 servers across 20 locations and the company offers a free 7-day trial so that new users can try out the service for themselves. Hotspot Shield even has a lifetime license available for those who are very satisfied with its performance and features.