In today’s day and age, users are more frequently accustomed to VPN usage. Why? Well, there are many factors surrounding it. A VPN is now become one of the most essential tools to use if ever you’re looking for extra online privacy, security, access to international content or even to bypass ISP throttling.
More and more businesses nowadays are investing in top of the line VPNs that can also handle bigger tasks other than the mentioned.
However, there are a few people who are on a budget, and look for reliable VPN options. While in the midst of that, they often settle for free VPNs without knowing there are flaws or drawbacks that come with it.
Yes, there might be a few free VPNs that are great to use, but to what extent? Are free VPNs safe for online security purposes? This guide will highlight all that needs to be addressed, starting with what the basic function of a VPN is.
What is a VPN?
You’ve probably at some time googled or looked up the basic functions of a VPN. It stands for Virtual Private Network, and is a security software that is created to secure your internet connection, your data, protect your device, and allow you to change your IP address.
To change your IP address, you will be allowed to connect to any one of its virtual servers. Once your physical IP address is hidden, all traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel.
To put into plain words, by changing your IP address, securing your connection and allowing you to remain anonymous, and to access numerous blocked or restricted content, only the best VPN works.
However, there are a couple of VPNs that are not strong nor safe enough to use – these being premium providers. Now, imagine a free VPN.
Are free VPNs safe or reliable for online security?
Now that you understand what a free VPN is and what all it can do for you, let’s move on to talk about free VPN services for a bit. We mentioned above that there are a few free VPNs that are great, but how would you know if they’re safe to use?
The safety of a free VPN depends on two factors. Firstly, the provider itself might not be safe enough to use. Secondly, the free VPN might be good, but because it comes with poor encryption, your IP address and other data might leak out. This exposes you to your internet service provider, and to websites that track and monitor your activities.
Here’s the situation, a free VPN does not offer the same kind of encryption compared to a premium provider. It similarly does not offer numerous servers that you can connect to. So, if you’re trying to access certain streaming services or apps while traveling, you’re most likely not going to gain access to it – because of the lack of servers.
Other than that, we’ve mentioned that a free VPN does not come with the same encryption nor security features when compared to a premium provider. For better online protection, you need a Kill Switch, DNS leak protection and other features like ad-blocking, malware blocking, split-tunneling, obfuscation tools and much more!
Instead of using a free VPN, choose a premium one with a free trial or refund period
Even though free VPNs are tempting, you shouldn’t go for it if you’re looking for bigger websites to access or certain apps to download. What you could do is choose a premium VPN provider that offers not just a free trial but a refund period. This gives you the opportunity to test the VPN, and use it on multiple platforms if the need arises.
Other than that, if you’re on a budget, there are top-grade VPNs like ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, NordVPN, PIA and more that all offer budgeted plans. You’ll be paying as little as $2 or slightly more per month and use the VPN for 3-4 years.
To conclude
Online security is a major deal, and isn’t something to ignore. With that said, it’s important that you put in a little thought while talking about VPNs or on how to choose one. Look for some that offer the best security features matched with speedy servers. The plus side is that premium providers all multi-device support and multi-device connections.
