"If you are not paying for the product, you are the product"
When it comes to VPNs and Proxies, the ones that don’t charge you money ironically end up costing you the most by stealing your privacy and security. Read more about the risks of using a free VPN or proxy!
You might have noticed some websites and streaming services are blocked or not yet available in your country. A common solution to bypass such geo-restrictions is through using a VPN or proxy, since they reroute your traffic to a different location to appear as if you are from a different country. For example, using such a services allows someone in India to access Spotify, or a user in USA to use British BBC iPlayer.
There are many different options available that lets you to change your location to access restricted content, and since everyone enjoys things that are free, people often fall victim to scams through free VPN services. When it comes to VPNs and proxies, the ones that don’t charge you money will cost you the most in terms privacy and security.
There are many different options available that lets you to change your location to access restricted content, and since everyone enjoys things that are free, people often fall victim to scams through free VPN services. When it comes to VPNs and proxies, the ones that don’t charge you money will cost you the most in terms privacy and security.
Below, I'll explain you exactly how free VPN services use your connection for dangerous activities (sometimes even illegal) and how a reputable, paid premium VPN service can let you access blocked sites while also saving your privacy!
The Dangers of using Free VPN services and proxies
“Free” services aren't completely free at accessing blocked websites through free VPNs and proxies. These services allow malicious third-parties to snoop through your personal data, or, even worse, let others use your internet connection to conduct illegal activities on the internet.
Free VPNs can keep log and track of all your content, your IP address, your browsing history, etc.- the exact thing VPNs are meant to protect you from. Along with privacy issues you may experience slow browsing speed, unstable connections and outdated encryption.
In addition to all of that, many of these “free” services will sell your personal information and data to third parties, with some even going as far as placing extra advertising (sometimes malicious). They may even expose your IP address, welcoming criminal activity that is traced back to your machine, not theirs.
Don’t let me forget to mention proxies as well! Since a proxy just forwards your internet traffic without encryption, they are able to read all of your personal data and information. That means your private information sent over the unsecured connection could be captured and kept by the operator. If they’re dishonest(most probably), they can then do whatever they want with your data– often by selling it to third parties or stealing your identity and this happens all in the name of advertisement.
Essentially, VPNs are safer, more stable, reliable and faster than proxies – but popular free VPN servers aren’t always as safe as they claim to be.
How Free VPNs Use Your Connection
It is very important to research and investigate the VPN service you’d like to use before jumping into it simply for convenience. Although, it may not sound as much harmful, giving a shady site or service full access to every detail of your browsing activities can have worse consequences than you think.
According to a Top10 Free VPN Investigation, 59% of studied free VPNs were owned by Chinese companies. Because of China's strict VPN bans, these companies have likely been approved by the government to collect foreign intelligence. Additionally, a further 86% of the free VPNs from Top10 VPN’s investigation had serious privacy flaws, including data sharing with third parties.
Additionally, one of the most widely known free VPN service Hotspot shield was accused of spying on it's customers. A U.S. digital rights advocacy group has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claiming the service tracks, intercepts and collects its customers’ data.
Although their privacy policy promises to keep all user information secure and anonymous, they have been found to log connections, monitor user's browsing habits, sell customer data to advertisers and redirect online traffic.
These free VPNs must make money some how, and it’s often at your expense.
The Secure Solution to Access Blocked Websites
Paid services make profits by offering you security without selling your personal data to third parties. A free VPN server may lead to detrimental things such as identity theft, while a paid VPN can (though not all) keep your information private and secure. Unless your data is tunneled over HTTPS (that’s when you see a lock symbol in your browser’s address bar), it can easily be stolen by others since it’s sent over an insecure connection and isn’t encrypted. A proper VPN encrypts all of your data, keeping it safe from snoopers and hackers.
Like everything, not all of them paid VPNs are the same. So I've gathered a few points that you should consider before purchasing one:
Connection speed: When it comes to the internet, speed is the vital element. VPN services often cause decreases in connection speeds. Make sure your VPN service provides you a stable connection.
More VPN servers: Premium VPN services offer you a global servers over 30+ countries, giving you full internet freedom anytime, anywhere any time.
VPN protocol: With SaferVPN you can access all the content regardless of you geographical location.
Privacy policy: Some VPN providers log your data, which completely defeats the reason of using your VPN as a privacy tool! Spare yourself some time to go through major privacy policy points to make yourself sure just in case.
I believe that security and privacy are important and therefore want to alert you to the dangers of using harmful services. However, it's completely up to you how much you value your privacy.
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