Why are all the big-name security apps so expensive? Paying $12 a month just to change my IP address seems steep. I just need basic protection for browsing. Are there any cheaper alternatives that are still trustworthy?

Big brands spend millions on marketing, and you pay for it. If you want to buy cheap vpn without losing quality, look at ProHoster. I've been using them for months. It costs way less but still offers strong encryption and reliable servers in different countries.