Free stuff is great! There is a wide array of tools, games, applications, and content available online that you can easily download without having to spend a penny. In fact, some of the most popular sites online are free for users, including the world’s most popular search engine Google and the social networking platform, Facebook. To generate revenue, these sites rely on advertisers to pay them money to advertise their products, so the user doesn't have to spend any of their hard-earned cash to enjoy the service.
However, other websites and applications can’t rely on advertisers to keep it going. Although some services online might appear completely free, there are often hidden charges or constant advertisements like pop-ups and banners. Some of these services can put your device and the data stored on your device at risk.
It seems like there are plenty of VPN services available online. Some promote a free service, claiming they are just as good as paid versions, and others need customers to pay a monthly or annual fee to customers to get a highly sophisticated and safe VPN service. The average internet user might find this a bit overwhelming, so in this article, we will help you determine what service is best for you.
Do I Need a VPN?
If you are connecting to the internet, whether you are using a smart device or a computer, running a VPN will help boost your security. Cyber attacks are more common than you might think, as you are more likely to become a victim of a cyberattack than you are to be involved in a road accident or having your vehicle stolen. A VPN service from a reputable company along with a quilty antivirus and anti-malware package installed will help reduce the chances of your device getting hacked.
A VPN will mask your original IP address and replace it with a new unique address. A quilty VPN service will ensure its clients that both inbound and outbound traffic will be safely encrypted.
Often people make the mistake and assume a VPN service is just for computers, however, reports show there has been a huge increase in mobile cyberattacks. If you connect your mobile device to a public network, you should consider running a VPN as hackers can easily gain access.
What are the Problems with Free VPNs?
Choosing which vpn is best for you can cause a bit of a headache. It might feel that some free VPN services are too good to be true. At the end of the day, a VPN service is an expensive business to run, so why on earth would they give it to you for free? Plus, how do they generate revenue?
Unfortunately, most of these services are too good to be true. Here are some of the problems you might come across when running a free VPN service:
- Free VPNs tend to be slow: If you have opted for a free VPN service, you will probably notice everything online has started to slow down. Unfortunately, most of these services don’t offer users much bandwidth.
- Limited amount of servers to choose from: One of the best things about running a VPN service from a reputable company is that it seems that they have a server located in every major city on the planet. In most free VPNs, you don’t have a lot of options.
- Low security: Some free VPNs can increase the risk of you becoming a victim of a cyberattack. A few years ago, VPN protocols were deprecated and replaced by new protocols. It seemed that every reputable VPN service updated their services, however many free VPNs failed to make the changes that have seen an increase in cybercrime.
- Advertising: Some of these free packages often use annoying advertisements that seem to constantly appear when using a free VPN service.
Although some VPN services are not completely free, many top-quality packages will offer users a free trial. This allows potential customers to try the product before they commit to paying a monthly or annual fee for the full package.
Summary
There are times in life that it is ideal to save money, but when it comes to data security, it is probably worth your while putting your hand into your pocket. Cyberattacks have become very common in recent history, and if you were to lose your data that is stored on your computer, you might have your identity, your bank details, private family and work pictures, and documents stolen. Hackers are constantly on the lookout for people using their genuine IP address so they can easily gain access to their devices.
Remember, although running a VPN service, even if it is known to be the best VPN service in the world, you are still not 100% safe when connected to a network.