Articles by River Hart, Tech Software Editor

River is a Tech Software Editor and VPN expert, helping take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar, ranging from reviews, buying guides, and must-have VPN deals. River's expertise in the cybersecurity field opened their eyes to the startling amount of online snooping we accept into our daily lives. Now, River is committed to fighting for your right to digital privacy by shining a light on its biggest threats – and helping readers safeguard their data with the help of a VPN. Surfshark is River's favorite VPN, and they use it every day to keep their most sensitive details out of the hands of third-party trackers.

After graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University with a First Class degree in Creative Writing, River bounced around the UK on a mission to craft stories. They’ve worked as a B2B magazine editor (working in an eclectic range of fields, including theme parks, VR gaming, and e-commerce), L&D [coordinator], and found their way into the world of cybersecurity in 2019, leading the writing team over at ProPrivacy. River has since been quoted in The Guardian, BBC News, and Forbes.

In their spare time, River enjoys poking around museums in their adopted hometown of Liverpool, hiking across their native North Wales countryside, and spending way too much time plugged into a PS5.

Articles by: River Hart

The best Germany VPN

By Aleksandar Stevanović last updated 6 February 26

VPN Discover today's five best VPNs for Germany and secure your online privacy whether you're at home in Deutschland or just visiting.

Windscribe Free VPN review – a fast, but clunky, free VPN solution

By River Hart last updated 28 January 26

Review Windscribe VPN’s free tier boasts a generous monthly data cap and great speeds, but it’s not without its hangups. Here’s everything you need to know.

Windscribe VPN review

By Mike Williams last updated 28 January 26

Updated Windscribe provides plenty of features, and a superb free plan.

Best free antivirus header depicting Avast, Bitdefender, and Avira as the top three best antivirus software.

The Best Free Antivirus in 2026: Expert Insights, Reviews, and Rankings

By Benedict Collins last updated 27 January 26

Updated Here's our expert insight into everything you need to know about the best free antivirus software.

Combined screenshots of the BBC iPlayer homepage and app icon

The best BBC iPlayer VPNs: top choices based on expert testing for streaming EastEnders, Dr Who, and more

By River Hart last updated 7 January 26

Updated The best BBC iPlayer VPNs ensure you can always tune in to British TV even if you’re overseas. Here are our top 5 picks.

The best VPN free trials available right now — the best 7-day free trials and money-back guarantees for all devices

By River Hart last updated 7 January 26

Updated VPN free trials come in different shapes and sizes, and some offer more value than others. Here’s our guide to the best free trial VPNs on the market.

Illustration of a US flag and various tech devices

The best US VPNs: expert choices for every state amidst growing age verification measures

By Rob Dunne, River Hart last updated 30 December 25

Updated Whether you're Stateside or traveling abroad, see how the best US VPNs protect you online as we compare and review the best US VPN services in 2026.

The best VPN for Canada

By River Hart last updated 4 December 25

VPN Whether you live in Canada or have a vacation planned, here’s a round-up of today’s best Canada VPNs.

The best Cyber Monday VPN deals LIVE: reviewed by our VPN experts – Monday December 1

By Samuel Woodhams last updated 1 December 25

It's Cyber Monday! All day, we'll be bringing you live updates, exclusive insights and the very best Cyber Monday VPN deals.

Person using NordVPN on a laptop to connect to a VPN server in the US

How to cancel NordVPN and get a refund

By River Hart last updated 1 December 25

No risk, all reward If NordVPN isn't your cup of tea, canceling your subscription and reclaiming your money is a piece of cake. Here's what to do.

How to cancel your ExpressVPN subscription and get refunded

By River Hart last updated 1 December 25

Need a break from ExpressVPN? Here's how to cancel your plan

We're VPN experts and these are our favorite Cyber Monday VPN deals of 2025

By Rob Dunne last updated 1 December 25

We've spent 15+ years testing VPNs, but these deals are the ones that excite us the most

These Netflix VPNs are still on sale – don't miss out on big Cyber Monday savings

By River Hart published 1 December 25

Streaming, security, and big savings – the best Netflix VPNs have it all

Man relaxing at home watching TV and eating popcorn

Picked up a smart TV in the Black Friday sales? These are the Black Friday VPN deals to pair it with

By River Hart published 28 November 25

Smart deals for your shiny new smart TV

The biggest Black Friday VPN deal this year? I spent a week testing ExpressVPN – here are 3 of its best features

By River Hart published 27 November 25

If you’ve ever wanted to try ExpressVPN, now’s the time

VPN news live - the latest on cybersecurity, digital rights, and online privacy

By Samuel Woodhams last updated 19 November 25

Real-time updates, exclusive deals and expert analysis from the VPN industry

Illustration of a man paragliding under a green arrow angled upwards

These freemium VPNs are all on sale for Black Friday - here's why you should upgrade now

By River Hart published 13 November 25

Free VPNs are handy in a pinch, but you get more features and fewer restrictions with a paid subscription.

These VPNs all offer unlimited connections and are as little as $2 per month - here's why we love them

By River Hart published 13 November 25

Surfshark and PIA just unveiled their Black Friday discounts and, with unlimited simultaneous connections included, you won’t want to miss out.

Flag of Wisconsin against a sunset background

Age verification laws could land in Wisconsin next – but these VPNs ensure your data remains protected for less

By River Hart last updated 12 November 25

Maintain your online freedom (and privacy) with these discounted VPNs

The best VPNs for Japan: our expert picks for if you're based in or travelling to the country of the rising sun

By Shaun Rockwood last updated 27 October 25

VPN Whether you live in Japan or you're just visiting, a VPN can help you secure your online privacy and avoid internet restrictions.

The most private VPN: the best no log VPNs to stay anonymous online based on expert research

By Rob Dunne last updated 27 October 25

Updated These VPNs put the 'private' into virtual private network. Here's how PIA, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN stack up when it comes to security.

Hide.me Free VPN

By River Hart, Mike Williams last updated 18 September 25

Review Hide.me Free is one of the more generous free VPNs in the market – but how well does it protect your data? We put it to the test to find out.

A person using a mobile device to verify their age via a facial scan

What is age verification? The privacy nightmare facing millions of UK internet users

By River Hart published 1 August 25

Following the rollout of the UK Online Safety Act, Britons are now being asked to confirm their age across the internet. Here’s everything you need to know.

The must-have app for your summer holiday costs less than you think

By River Hart published 5 July 25

NordVPN’s tasty new deal comes with an Amazon gift card – and means you can take your favorite content on vacation for even less.

OysterVPN running on various devices, including a TV, tablet, and a mobile.

OysterVPN review - a potential new kid to watch out for

By Mark Gill last updated 20 June 25

VPN reviews Our team of experts put OysterVPN under the microscope, checking out its security tools, speeds, and unblocking power, and how it compares to the industry's top dogs.

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