Should we call all free VPNs a privacy illusion?

Deval Shah
Deval Shah December 11, 2019
Updated 2023/09/01 at 12:17 PM
vpn privacy service

Free VPNs are a great way to secure yourself when using the internet since they can help you hide your IP address and encrypt your online communication.

However, some people believe that you should not use a free VPN because some of them can sell your data to a third party. Also, there is always a hidden cost attached like having to pay to use some advanced features of the VPN.

Free VPNs can protect your devices but not all of them are as secure or private as you think because of the reasons explained below.

Why free VPNs are not secure

  • Malware

One of the main reasons why many use VPNs is to protect them from hackers. However, it has been reported that many free VPNs contain malware.

Out of the 283 free VPNs that were analyzed, 38% of these showed signs of having a malware infection. CrossVPN, SuperVPN, and Betternet are some of the VPNs which were found to have malware.

The most common malware found in free VPNs is related to advertising. This makes sense because free VPNs often count on advertising revenues.
online pharmacy purchase clomid online best drugstore for you

Built-in adblockers, unlimited bandwidth, and malware protection are the features of paid VPNs that free VPNs don’t offer.

  • VPN providers have eyes on your destination traffic

In 2017, it was discovered that some VPNs are employing the use of fake servers which can destroy its users’ privacy. Many VPN providers say that they do not keep logs but 90% of VPNs are running on leased servers. Therefore, the server owners keep logs.

Once data leaves your VPN server, it is not encrypted. So, if your destination can be logged, then your activity on a website can be logged too. This makes surveillance possible whether because someone behind is handling your data all in the name of a free VPN.

  • Limited encryption

Though VPNs use encryption as advertised, it is only limited to the connection between your computer and your VPN server. Beyond this, there is no encryption, unless you are using a distinct secure connection.

Oftentimes, only the paid VPNs offer the advanced encryption features that you need. If you are serious about protecting your devices, subscribing to a paid VPN will always be worth it.

  • No complete anonymity

There is nothing as complete anonymity when using a free VPN service. The security provided by VPNs can be said to be a proxy service only. Your data can still be accessed because the VPN only moves the entry point from your computer to the VPN server.

Advertising trackers can build a profile of your web activity, even when you hide your IP address with a VPN. These trackers do not need your IP address to achieve their aim of tracking your actions while presenting you with adverts.

  • Websites block IP addresses of VPNs

The way IP addresses are used is another problem with the VPNs. Normally, your VPN server hides the IP address assigned to you by the internet provider.
online pharmacy purchase wellbutrin online best drugstore for you

However, websites can block known VPN IP addresses from having access to them.

Online streaming services make use of this targeted VPN blocking sometimes. For example, in the UK, you cannot access BBC iPlayer even when you are using a VPN that makes it look like you are connecting in a server located in the UK.

Benefits of free VPNs

Even though many free VPNs and even some paid VPNs have disadvantages, you can still get many benefits if you decide to install a VPN on your devices.

Check out below the benefits that free VPNs can offer you.

  • Connection security

You can be protected from hackers when you connect on public or free WiFi cafes and shopping centers. If someone is sitting to tap your details with any Wi-Fi packet sniffer on their tablet or laptop, the free or paid VPN will protect your devices.

  • Hiding your online location

After installing a VPN on your computer or phone, you will get to choose a server from any country. This will make it seem like you’re located in that specific location. You will then be able to send and receive data without exposing your true location.

  • Bypass filters and unblock websites

If you have trouble accessing a website or bypassing some filters online, free VPNs are a good way out. This is the reason why there has been a significant increase in VPN use in countries where internet censorship is present.

And you surely can find a quite good free VPN.
online pharmacy purchase lasix online best drugstore for you

Not all of them are very dangerous. VPNpro had put together a nice list of best free VPNs. Check them out HERE.

But if you’re willing to have extremely safe online life we recommended investing a few dollars a month to a decent VPN service like ExpressVPN or Astrill VPN.

Final thoughts

Despite the advantages that you can get from free VPNs, the security of your devices can be at risk if you keep using them.  If you don’t mind getting your online activities as well as personal data exposed to hackers, then you can continue to use free VPNs. If you have a budget and want to take online security seriously, then you can try a paid VPN that fits your budget. The decision is yours.

Share this Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.