First off, not a computer guru but I do know a bit and I've BTDT. This is a wall of text, I apologize, but if you're serious about a VPN it would probably behoove you to read it.
I got Strong VPN, it was one of the top listed ones a year ago --those "top ten" sites are almost always paid advertisement and they change all the time. Look at a few sites, they'll almost all have different suggestions. Look for a Consumer review site to back it up, that and a popular online computer magazine are where I pinned down Strong. Strong also was half price if you pay a year up front, making it cheaper than the other high end ones ($60 vs. $120). All the good ones were about $120 per year IIRC.
Not all are the same. You need to pick one that works for you, for what you do. Know that they almost all slow you down, and quite a bit too. If a download is going ridiculously slow, you may need to reboot the modem and router to speed it up. You may need a faster service due to this too. You may be paying for a 250Mb service but only seeing say 50, it's about what I get. If I turn off the VPN though I get all that speed back and then some. This is in part dictated by the servers the VPN uses and/or where they are located.
Some VPN's will not allow you to stream. Netflix and Amazon, etc., are catching on to it. If you use certain servers, typically overseas, it impacts this more and can also give you problems with signing into your accounts.
A VPN installed on your computer will work on your computer, that's it. Won't work for a ps4 or xbox or whatever you use to stream with, won't work on your phone if it's on your network. For that you need the VPN on your router PLUS you need a VPN AND router capable of this. On top of that, you're gonna need the patience required to follow the instructions to the "t" and install the VPN client on the router. It's fairly complex shit if you're computer illiterate but it's not impossible and there are step by step instructions. Knowing a computer guru (there's a few on here that could help if you PM'd 'em) is a big help because IME the goddamn support people don't know their ass from a hole in the ground if you run into a problem.
So one option would be Strong VPN and an Asus RT-AC5300 for example. I know that combination will work and it's also a good router. It'll stream Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Hulu and you can sign into all your shit if you use a US based server (which usually works best anyway) and it'll work with PS4, xbox, etc. You will probably need to disable IPv4 (4 or 6?) in order to make streaming function on gaming platforms --I had to. That router will also allow you to completely control the network, it's pretty damn high speed all on it's own and nice to have.
Know too that if you don't have the router but are interested in going this route, that you can get the service now, use it on your computer for the time being, then when you get the router just uninstall it from the computer and reinstall it on the router. You MUST uninstall it from the computer first, then put it back on the router for it to work right. If you want to use a different server, just setup a different account on the router for each one you wanna use. Just make sure you research it all well before pulling the trigger:
Does it do what you need? Can it stream?
Can you put it on the router?
Does your router accept it or do you need a new one?
Choice of servers and are they any good? (THIS is what you're more or less shopping for, that and the ability to stream, etc.)
Speed? This relates to choice of servers the VPN uses I believe.
All compatible? Best if you own all your own gear, but is your choice supported by the VPN, the router AND the ISP? For instance, does Comcast recognize the modem you plan on using and how long before they plan on taking it off the list? I got one once and a few months later it was "obsolete" so do your homework. They will try to force you into renting theirs, but it's not necessary or even advisable. All that's necessary is that they support it.
Finally, you get it all set up, does it work? If it's working, first off, your IP address won't show up when you check it the VPN's server will. Second, Comcast or whoever shouldn't be able to see a damn thing anymore. For all intents and purposes, you're a ghost once the service hits the modem, and they don't know shit except how much bulk data you've metered. Not where you went, not how much per site, not what you downloaded or looked at, nothing, just how much data you used that day. Rectifying problems can be a hassle due to this (like if they charge you for 200GB of data over 24hours, something you KNOW you didn't do). ISP's don't like VPN's at all and they'll tell you all sorts of shit to try and get you to turn it off.
But if this happens, keep the VPN and push the issue until you're satisfied. Unless you're calling them and scamming them for data and shit, if you're a good customer, they'll take your word for it eventually. Key word: eventually. I had them give me discount coupons for that 200GB data they charged me for. I wouldn't let it go.
And why the hell would you NOT use this for banking? It works fine. Bank doesn't need your IP address, just your password.
Finally to make all this really secure, use a good firewall/antivirus (I use Norton 360 and it's worked fine for years) drop Google in favor of Smartpage (not as good as google BUT it's the most secure search engine there is) and set your security settings on everything as high as you possibly can and still be able to do what you need to do without too much hassle.
Good luck man!
