Virtual Private Network - VPN, is an essential tool for many, if not most, internet users today. According to Surfshark's statistics, more than 31% of all internet users rely on VPN services. Though the software tool is mostly required by its users for privacy protection, it's also seriously required by people of some regions than others, because of the restriction placed by either their government or business entities, on them accessing some web services or social media; as an example, some regions can not view some Netflix programs, but people there still access such programs with the help of VPN, and in some countries, like Nigeria where I am writing from, Twitter has been banned, we can only access it using VPN. With these and many more reasons, one should't wonder, 'why are VPN so popular'.
But just like with many essential and good things out there, the usage of VPN comes with risks, and few of those risks are what am going to walk you through in this article.
1 38 PERCENT OF ALL ANDROID VPN APPS CONTAIN MALWARE
Malware is the short for malicious software. This is simply a software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning. Malware is a simple term for referring to viruses, trojans, and other destructive computer programs actors use to infect systems and networks in order to gain access to sensitive information. Malwares are really common with free VPN apps, because malwares are closely related with advertising, and many free VPN apps rely on advertsing for revenue. VPN MASTER is one example of a highly popular free VPNs that has tested positive for containing 8 different malwares.
Am not implying that all free VPNs contain this device, but that a lot do. So you don't have to kiss your dream of using VPN goodbye if you don't want to use the paid version of it, ( a less percentage of the premium version contain it too; it's just much less). Just do your own diligence in getting the good ones for yourself.
2. 78 OF FREE VPNs GATHER DATA ABOUT YOUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES
You read me right, as opposed to the function most people sought VPNs for, they gather information as to what you habitually engage in online so that they can sell the information to advertisers. Protecting your data and privacy is the major reason for installing and usiong VPN in the first place, so it's shocking that free VPNs are doing this.
On top of that, free VPNs don't perform well. They are painfully slow. They can't unlock streaming platforms. They limit the amount of data that you can use and the apps are cloaked up with ads.
Don't misunderstand me guys, it's possible to find free VPNs that do respect your privacy and keep you safe. Even the best free VPNs are not as functional and feature packed as paid VPNs. But some some them will work for you if you want to add some privacy and security to your online activities, especially if you are satisfied with your current streaming and torrenting setups. Free VPNs always have an issue with performance though, because the companies behind them are operating on lower budgets. So don't get a free VPN if you want to unblock restricted libraries, torrent, enjoy top level security and privacy and have a reliable and informed team to contact you, if you need help with your VPN. So the best idea when deciding to use VPN, is to go for the premium version, and they are very cheap.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VPN
( What is the best VPN service?)
This question does not have a single valid answer. Because different providers are better suited to different people's needs, selecting the best VPN becomes a subjective experience that cannot be quantified.
Nonetheless, certain organizations have made a name for themselves in the VPN market by combining good service with client trust. One of such services come from TorGuard, a trusted VPN I have been using about a year now. After using TorGuard for several months, before deciding to promote it, I thought it best to research about what other people experience with them is first, whether am the only one who believes them to be one of the best VPNs out there, or they too think in the same line with me. So I visited Trust Pilot, a review site for all businesses that have an online presence. At Trust Pilot, out of 1,732 reviews on Torguard as at the time of this writing, a huge 77% voted it to be excellent, 10% said the VPN is great, 5% said it is average, 2% rated the tool as being poor, and 6% rated it as bad. Though no software system or tool is perfect, from the overall views of the users of TorGuard, we can see that most people experience with it is positive; so it is worth giving a trial.
Just like opting for premium version of VPN is the best way to raise your chance of being secure and keep your online actvities private, taking time to look around and ensure you choose the best paid VPN among the list, according to a certain need you have, is equally important.
MY VERDICT ON VPN
So to answer the question which the title of this article expresses:Yes, VPN can be dangerous, but if you do enough diligence in shopping around for the reputable and trusted ones, then you could raised your chance of finding the ones that will give you security and protect your confidential information from been accessed by third party; which are the classical reasons which we use VPN in the first place.
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