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Some Important Notes About Free VPNs
More employees are working from home than ever before. Add to that increasing Internet privacy issues and personal data breaches, and it is obvious why more and more people are looking for a way to stay safe online.
The best solution? A VPN service that can give you better online privacy and security.
Not all VPNs are created equal, however, especially if you’re looking to take advantage of a free service. So what exactly should you look out for in a VPN service?
Whether for work or entertainment, we usually test 4 essential features:
• Solid security
• Multiple VPN protocols
• An extensive list of server locations
• High bandwidth for efficient connections and blazing fast speeds
Robust Security and Multiple VPN Protocols
Needless to say, you need your VPN provider to offer robust encryption and security protocols. Most free VPN services provide a PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol) which is the easiest to set up and has much lower transmission, hardware, and administrative overhead costs. It is not the best option though, as it is now considered outdated and has been racked with security issues in the past. On the other hand, most paid services such as Private Internet Access and CyberGhost utilize a myriad of VPN protocols such as L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) and IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) which are considered way more secure than PPTP. Only a VPN with a strict no-logs policy can guarantee that none of your data is stored or sold.
Greater Bandwidth and Extensive Server Locations
Another important factor is the number of server bandwidth per user, which directly impacts your connection speed. Let’s say for example that there are 50 people sharing a 500mbps server, this means each person only gets 10mbps! This is why paid VPNs are so much faster because they have the funds necessary to invest in infrastructure and offer more server bandwidth per user. Free services cannot afford the same investment, resulting in a less secure and way slower connection.
Speaking of funds and infrastructure, paid VPN services also have a more extensive list of server locations. The number of server locations is crucial, because the closer you are to a server, the faster your connection will be. Only the best paid VPNs can give you speeds that are comparable to your normal connection.
Almost every free VPN comes with a big catch
These companies cannot offer a completely free service that compares to that of their paid-for competitors. Mostly, so-called "free VPNs" will limit your bandwidth, which will result in slow connection speeds with a very limited number of available server locations.
In addition, Users even reported that free VPN services stole their personal information and sold it to third parties. Even without these dark practices, due to the fact that completely free VPN services have outdated infrastructure in place, they could endanger your privacy, thereby completely missing the whole point of using a VPN in the first place.
So how do free VPNs make money? As with any free service, you have to pay for it in some way. Their business model includes a combination of annoying ads coupled with a very limited service (which means disrupted, slow connections) to bully users into upgrading to their paid service.
Free VPNs are quite limited. Here is what you should do...
Do this if you want to use a VPN for free without compromising on speed and security:
1. Visit the Private Internet Access or CyberGhost website. Both of these are our most recommended VPNs.
2. Download their software and make use of the money-back guarantee. You can use these premium VPN services for an entire month risk-free. We tested the guarantee our self – there’s no catch.
This is your best bet if you only need a VPN for a short period while traveling without having to spend any money. Private Internet Access’s security is tough to beat. Unlike most free VPNs that will slow down your internet speed, Private Internet Access allows you to surf freely without any interruptions or lags. PIA also uses the most stringent security protocols and has a zero-log policy so your private data is 100% secure.
Of course, neither Private Internet Access nor CyberGhost are free forever, but there’s a lot you can do with them in 30 days. And if you decide it's worth a few bucks a month, these companies offer the most generous discounts on monthly plans you can find anywhere.
The Bottom Line On Free VPNs
While there are some OK free VPNs that don't risk your privacy, even the safest free services can’t compete with even the cheapest premium VPNs. Paid for VPNs offer totally superior data protection, download speeds and are the only option if you want to experience normal connections without buffering and hassle.
Our recommended premium VPNs all offer free trials and money-back guarantees, so you can trial them without risking a cent.
Check out our list of the best premium VPNs, where you can find the best offers for ridiculously low prices!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure and private connection between your device and the internet. It enables you to browse the internet privately and securely, hiding your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic.
Why use a VPN service?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to provide a variety of benefits to users. One of the primary reasons people choose to use VPNs is for the added security they offer. By encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address, VPNs make it more difficult for hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors to intercept your online activity and steal your personal information. VPNs also provide enhanced privacy, preventing your internet service provider (ISP) from tracking your online activity and selling your browsing history to advertisers. Additionally, VPNs protect your privacy from government surveillance and censorship. This is especially important for individuals living in countries with restrictive internet policies. Another advantage of VPNs is their ability to let you access content that might be blocked in your region. This includes video services, social media platforms, and news websites. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can access content that would otherwise be unavailable to you. Using a VPN is also a smart choice when using public Wi-Fi, which is often unsecured and leaves your online activity exposed to anyone else on the network. A VPN encrypts your connection, making it safer to use public Wi-Fi. Lastly, VPNs are commonly used by companies to allow employees to access the company's network and resources securely from anywhere in the world. With remote work becoming more prevalent, VPNs have become an essential tool for many businesses.
How does a VPN work?
Encryption is a way of scrambling data so that only authorized parties can understand the information. It takes readable data and alters it so that it appears random to attackers or anyone else who intercepts it. In this way, encryption is like a "secret code." A VPN works by establishing encrypted connections between devices. All devices that connect to the VPN set up encryption keys, and these keys are used to encode and decode all information sent between them. The effect of this encryption is that VPN connections remain private even if they stretch across public Internet infrastructure. Imagine John is shopping online from his hotel room. Now suppose that a criminal has secretly infiltrated the hotel’s network infrastructure and is monitoring all data passing through (sort of like tapping a telephone line). John’s data is still secure because of the VPN. All the criminal can see is the encrypted version of the data. When you make a transaction or when you need to send or receive sensitive information, a VPN will enhance your security.
Can a VPN be hacked?
While no technology is 100% secure, VPNs are considered to be highly secure. They use strong encryption protocols and security measures to protect your data and online activities.
Do VPNs slow down my internet connection?
VPN speeds may vary depending on the VPN service you use and the location of the VPN server you connect to. However, many modern VPNs are designed to provide fast and reliable connections.
Do I Need a VPN On All My Devices?
Yes, you will need to install a VPN client on each device you want to connect to the VPN. Fortunately, all of the VPNs recommended on our site allow you to hook up to multiple devices under one account. So whether you have a Windows PC, laptop, Macbook, iPhone, or Android mobile you can hook up to your VPN account easily with any device and without having to register for another account.
Should I use a free VPN?
While there are some free VPNs available, it's important to note that they may not provide the same level of security and privacy as paid VPNs. Additionally, free VPNs may limit your bandwidth or data usage, and may display ads or sell your data to third parties.
