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Risks of Free VPNs: Proceed with Caution

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have developed into an essential tool for protecting online security and privacy in today's digitally connected society. Despite the wide range of options, a sizable portion of consumers favour free VPN services. However, it's important to be aware of any risks connected to these ostensibly cost-effective alternatives before jumping on the bandwagon.

Free VPN services frequently have restrictions that limit how much security and privacy they can offer. They might impose a data cap, slow connection rates, or impose server access restrictions. 'You get what you pay for,' is true in the world of VPNs. 

Free VPNs' data logging rules are among their most alarming features. Numerous of these services gather and keep track of user data, including browsing patterns, IP addresses, and even private data. Data breaches or targeted advertising may result from the sale of this information to outside parties. This lack of transparency poses a serious threat to user privacy.

  • Security Vulnerabilities: An additional weakness of free VPNs is their insufficient security measures. The strong encryption methods that paying equivalents offer are frequently absent from these sites. Users become more vulnerable to online dangers as a result, leaving them open to potential hacks or attacks from online criminals.
  • Malware and Adware ConcernsFree: VPNs have a reputation for injecting viruses or bothersome adverts during customers' browsing sessions. These intrusive activities, not only damage user experience but also offer serious security threats. 
  • Unreliable Customer Support: Free VPN providers typically offer limited or no customer support, leaving users on their own if they encounter technical issues or need assistance with the service. This lack of support can be frustrating and potentially detrimental in critical situations.

With VPNs, quality is a function of price. Although they may be alluring, free VPN services carry a number of dangers that could jeopardize your online privacy and security. Prioritizing trustworthy, paid VPN services with strong security, open policies, and dependable customer support is crucial. Keeping your online identity secure is ultimately a worthwhile investment. 





Free VPN Experiences Massive Data Breach, Putting Users at Risk

 

SuperVPN, a popular free VPN service, is said to have experienced a huge data breach, compromising over 360 million customer accounts. The leak is reported to have exposed 133GB of sensitive information, including user email addresses, originating IP addresses, and geolocation data. According to sources, the material exposed included secret programme keys, unique user identity numbers, and visited website logs. 

The size and scope of the breach highlight the importance of selecting a reliable free VPN service from the hundreds now available, as many fail to provide their users with adequate security cover - despite the fact that many people use a Virtual Private Network for privacy and security in the first place.

The SuperVPN data leak was first revealed on the vpnMentor website by security researcher Jerimiah Fowler, emphasizing the need of conducting thorough research when choosing a secure VPN provider. 

While the contents of this data breach appear to suggest otherwise, SuperVPN promises to offer extensive privacy protection on its help pages, claiming that it:  ‘…keeps no logs which enable interference with your IP address, the moment [sic] or content of your data traffic. We make express reference to the fact that we do not record in logs communication contents or data regarding the accessed websites or the IP addresses”.

In fact, this is the second major data incident involving the widely used free VPN programme. User information related to a few of dodgy providers was released to the tune of over 20 million customers in May 2022, while SuperVPN was also identified as a hazardous malware-ridden VPN programme as early as 2016.

According to Fowler, the situation is especially concerning because SuperVPN appears to be situated in China, a country that has strict regulations on internet usage and regulates the flow of information within its borders.

Rather than being alarmist or jumping on the anti-China bandwagon, Fowler is emphasizing the obvious conflict of interest when an online privacy tool is managed from a country with little to no online privacy. Indeed, he adds that the terms and conditions of SuperVPN included an Orwellian prohibition on "subverting state power, undermining national unity, undermining social stability, and or damaging the honor and interests of the State."

He advocates individuals looking for a VPN to "pay attention to where the company is based" since "certain countries are known for internet censorship (like China or Iran) or surveillance (like the US, the UK, and other members of the Fourteen Eyes alliance)."

Despite the SuperVPN data breach, using a VPN is essentially safe if you choose the proper one.