Are free VPNs safe? 4 things to know before using free VPNs 

You’ve probably heard of VPN, which, for good reason, continues to dominate the online advertising space. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it serves as an extra layer of security for your data transfer.

It works by encrypting your data and concealing your IP address from the prying eyes of hackers, businesses, and government agencies, among others. It also enables you to access geo-restricted content by allowing you to search for it from its servers all over the world. When it comes to selecting the best VPN, there are a few factors to consider.

Premium VPNs consistently outperform free VPNs for a number of reasons, which is why we’ll be discussing everything you should consider before using free VPNs today. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.

Malware Attacks

Perhaps the most significant distinction between paid and free VPN services is how each makes money. Although using a free VPN won’t cost you any money, you will be swamped with advertisements because this is how these services make money.

These ads are notorious for containing various types of malware, not to mention that the VPN service feeds your data to advertisers in order to personalize and tailor those ads to your preferences.

Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose of using a VPN in the first place? Rather than doing more harm than good by believing that a free VPN will ever work properly, spend some time researching the best premium option that fits your needs and invest in protecting your privacy.

No Access To Geo-Restricted Content

If you’re desperate to catch up on the latest season of your favorite show, don’t count on your free VPN to help you. The VPN must have an existing server in the area where the show is being streamed in order to connect you to it.

Most free VPN services do not. This is why, no matter how well advertised these free versions are, the majority, if not all, simply do not have the necessary means to provide you with the service. Consider all of the episodes of your favorite show that you might be missing out on, or that new audiobook that everyone seems to be raving about.

Slow Internet Speed

Because these free VPN services are free, it’s only natural that a large number of people sign up for them. This eventually leads to overcrowded servers, which significantly slows your Internet speed.

Whatever you use your VPN for, we can all agree that in this day and age, and with the fast-paced lives we all lead, we don’t have time to sit around for hours waiting for websites to load. Finally, you will be bombarded with advertisements, which will further slow down your connection speed. Is it really worth it just because it’s free? Probably not.

You Could Be Hijacked By Your Free VPN Provider

It should come as no surprise that anyone could be operating behind that free VPN you’re using. Free VPNs regularly fail to follow all of the necessary protocols that a trusted VPN would, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

Scammers frequently hijack the ads pushed by free VPNs, leading you to some very sketchy parts of the Internet if you accidentally click on them. These websites frequently contain malware that is designed to steal your information and sell it to the highest-paying advertiser.

Conclusion

The majority of free VPN shortcomings stem from the product’s overall contradiction. VPNs are supposed to keep you safer, not put you in danger. After all, why would anyone protect your data for free?

Your data is extremely valuable to advertisers who are constantly trying to push their products, no matter the cost. Keep yourself safe, and invest in a trustworthy VPN service!