Free VPNs are tempting.
Who wants to add yet another subscription to their already lengthy list of monthly payments?
The $0 price tag is a strong sell, but before you commit, take some time to read about the risks a free VPN exposes you to. Read this quick article to learn the difference between free and paid VPNs so you can decide for yourself if the risks are worth the few dollars a month it costs for a paid provider.
What are the Benefits of Using a VPN?
There are several advantages to using a VPN.
You can access and stream any online content, regardless of geographical limitations.
When you use a VPN, you can instantly change your location and unblock websites that are restricted in particular countries.
Your ISP is unable to track your activities. If you’re concerned about privacy, there’s no better time than now to get one.
Why are certain VPNs free?
When a company gives away its goods for free, it is typically because it generates revenue in other ways.
Data is now the most important commodity in the world. Marketers consider personal information and preferences to be more valuable than gold.
You don’t have to pay anything for a free VPN since it is constantly monitoring your online activities and selling what you do online to advertisers who use that information to target you for ads.
The irony here is that people typically use VPNs because the data collected by websites may be used to develop a profile of your browsing activity and interests, which might then be sold to third-party companies.
You can avoid getting tracked by using a VPN that does not log everything you do online without your permission.
With a free VPN there’s a much greater chance your browsing history is being recorded, packaged and sold.
Spam and False Advertising
With a paid VPN, you won’t see any advertising. Simply turn on the VPN and browse without being subjected to an ad from the provider.
With a free VPN that’s not the case. These ads are how these VPNs make money. These advertisements aren’t vetted by the VPN company, so they may lead to malware, porn, or unsecured sites that could jeopardize your privacy.
You’re not saving much money, but you’re also putting your devices in danger. You are constantly bombarded with advertisements while surfing the web.
Free VPNs are known for their spammy approach to marketing. If you’re not careful, you might unwittingly download malware while trying to get a free VPN.
Why Does a Free VPN Lag My Internet Speed?
A VPN will have an impact on your internet connection. It establishes a connection with a server located far away and uses encryption techniques. As a result, your link will be slower. However, with premium VPNs, you won’t notice much of a difference. They have sufficient resources, and the technical knowledge of how to deliver a quality service with little to no influence on speed.
However, if you use a free VPN, things are quite different. They employ outdated encryption methods that reduce the speed of your internet connection. According to research by Norton, 84 per cent of free VPNs do not encrypt data adequately.
There are several VPNs that slow down your connection speed in order to pressure you into purchasing premium features. There’s also the issue of frequent advertising and pop-ups to consider. Constant advertisements and a throttled connection will cause you to notice the spinning circle of death more frequently while watching a film because of all these interruptions.
Is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Safe?
With end-to-end encryption, Paid VPNs provide a lot of security. This implies that all data transmitted or received is encrypted. IKEv2/IPsec or AES-256-GCM are strong encryption technologies utilized by paid VPN providers. In real time, these are cutting-edge security algorithms that encrypt every data packet in each
However, using free VPNs means giving up on secure surfing. Not only do these VPNs keep track of your surfing behavior and sell it to third parties, but they also provide insufficient encryption that is frequently an open invitation for attackers. In addition, you’re exposed to harmful advertisements and pop-ups every time you surf the web. Data security is
Final Thoughts
There are several drawbacks to using a free VPN. It significantly lowers the quality of your online experience, making it both time-consuming and unpleasant. There’s also the issue of your data being sold to firms all around the world without your consent. You should never use a free VPN because of these concerns. Most premium VPNs include a trial period. We recommend the Surshark VPN trial. If you’ve been using a free provider you’ll immediately notice the difference.
