{"id":151424,"date":"2020-06-23T13:56:10","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T11:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=151424"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:18:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:18:55","slug":"the-free-vpn-trap-dangers-realities-and-safe-paid-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/the-free-vpn-trap-dangers-realities-and-safe-paid-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"The ‘Free VPN’ Trap: Dangers, Realities and Safe Paid Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Using a free VPN<\/strong> may seem like an amazing idea at first. It promises the online anonymity you crave, lets you bypass geo-blocking, and makes you feel like your personal data and searches are always protected. Oh, and it doesn’t cost a dime!<\/p>\n

But, as is often the case, there\u2019s no such thing as a free lunch<\/strong>. Nobody offers a free service without getting something in return, and free VPNs are a perfect example of this.<\/p>\n

\"hucha<\/p>\n

You might be reading this article because you’ve researched\u00a0the advantages of VPNs\u00a0<\/strong>and decided to download a free one. But please think twice before trying your luck with a free VPN, because we\u2019re not kidding when they say they\u2019re a potential threat<\/strong> to your computer and data security. Do you find that hard to believe?<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re going to talk about the free VPN scam<\/strong>, and how, after promising you anonymity and access to geo-blocked content, they truly put your privacy at risk<\/strong>. We hope you find it helpful!<\/p>\n

Why it’s dangerous to use a free VPN<\/h2>\n

Free VPNs may seem harmless, and you may have even tried one in the past. You might remember it fondly and wonder why we\u2019re saying they\u2019re so dangerous. Below, we have listed the main pitfalls<\/strong> of free VPNs.<\/p>\n

1. They expose your device to hackers and malware<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Hacker<\/p>\n

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are mainly used to create safe work environments<\/strong> where you can go online without worrying about your data being intercepted. Free VPNs promise you this, but they actually offer a completely different experience.<\/p>\n

A recent security study<\/a> that analyzed 283 free VPNs<\/strong> revealed that 38% of them were infected with malware<\/strong>. This malware is usually advertising-related, and it infects computers and handheld devices in order to monetize the VPN. Because although it promises to be free, it earns money by installing malware<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Anuncio<\/p>\n

But malware isn\u2019t the only danger lurking behind free VPNs. If you\u2019ve been researching them for some time, you probably remember the Hola scandal<\/strong>. This seemingly innocuous VPN promised anonymous online browsing and unlimited access to geo-blocked services… and it didn\u2019t cost a dime! However, what users didn\u2019t know was that by using the service, they were sharing their bandwidth<\/strong> with third parties and even unwittingly participated in a botnet.<\/p>\n

2. They track your online activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Persona<\/p>\n

This might come as a surprise, because most people use VPNs because they want to browse anonymously and prevent their activity from being traced. A recent study<\/a> found that 72% of free VPNs track all of your online activity<\/strong> and collect your data to sell it to third parties. That way, the VPN can be free and earn money off your data.<\/p>\n

If you have a hard time believing this, just read the fine print for most of these VPNs, where they admit to collecting and processing your data<\/strong> for their own and third-party use.<\/p>\n

3. They don’t provide reliable access to geo-blocked content<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you were hoping to use a free VPN to access the complete catalogs of platforms like Netflix<\/strong>, we have bad news: you can\u2019t. While this was possible years ago, there is no free VPN today that consistently offers this advantage.<\/p>\n

\"Televisor<\/p>\n

Tunnelbear<\/strong><\/a>, for example, sometimes manages to unblock Netflix, but keep in mind that you can only use 500 MB free per month. Another one,\u00a0ProtonVPN<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0also lets you access Netflix, but the service is so slow that you can\u2019t even enjoy the content.<\/p>\n

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The Best VPNs for Unblocking Content on Netflix<\/p>\r\n READ MORE<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

4. They slow down your internet connection<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A paid VPN\u2019s servers not only match your regular internet connection speed, but sometimes even surpass it. However, the free ones have the opposite effect. Their data-transfer speed is so slow<\/strong> that you can barely browse the internet.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that some free VPNs are fast enough, but they are the kind that limit the amount of data you can use <\/strong>without paying. Once you exceed that limit, you have to purchase a subscription to keep using the service.<\/p>\n

5. They bloat your device with ads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As we mentioned, a free VPN may not ask for money upfront, but it manages to amass a small fortune through the ads<\/strong> it displays on your device. They\u2019ll normally appear as pesky pop-ups every time you go online, or be hidden in your interface to prey on distracted users who accidentally click on them.<\/p>\n

\"Mujer<\/p>\n

Besides being extremely annoying, the ads displayed by free VPNs slow down your connection<\/strong> and make browsing the internet a real ordeal. Keep in mind that if you use the VPN on your phone, the ads alone will chew through your data in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not even the worst they can do. Ads displayed by free VPNs are usually linked to malicious websites <\/strong>and end up installing malware<\/strong> on your device. This not only slows down your device, but also puts your privacy and personal data at risk.<\/p>\n

6. They can sell your bandwidth and even involve you in criminal activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This may come as a surprise, but some free VPNs are capable of selling your bandwidth<\/strong> to third parties. At the beginning of this article, we mentioned the Hola<\/strong> case, where the company stole bandwidth from free-version users and sold it to third-party companies through the brand Luminati. The scandal was all over the news, as Luminati was used to carry out a botnet attack on 8chan<\/strong>, and all Hola users and their computers unwittingly participated in it. For this reason, when you use a free VPN, you can never be sure that your device won\u2019t be linked to some unlawful activity online.<\/p>\n

Is it worth using a free VPN?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The answer is a categorical NO<\/strong>. The drawbacks and dangers of using a free VPN vastly outweigh the pros, if the latter even exist. In fact, you\u2019re safer browsing online without a free VPN than with one. So if you want to use a VPN, don\u2019t be a cheapskate! It\u2019s worth spending a few bucks a month to reap all the advantages of a private network.<\/p>\n

What are some paid alternatives to free VPNs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fortunately, there are some excellent, fast and secure VPNs<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with affordable subscriptions. Below are our favorites:<\/p>\n

1. ExpressVPN<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Anuncio<\/p>\n

ExpressVPN is perfect for anyone seeking a balance between speed, security<\/strong> and, of course, good<\/strong> results<\/strong>. Boasting more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations around the globe, it lets you browse anonymously and access all kinds of geo-blocked content. With a single subscription to ExpressVPN, you can connect five devices<\/strong> (computers, phones, tablets, etc.) simultaneously. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s easy to use and versatile, making it the top choice of most experts in the sector.<\/p>\n

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2. NordVPN<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Anuncio<\/p>\n

NordVPN can boast of being one of the safest VPNs on the market<\/strong>. With more than 5,500 servers in over 55 locations around the world, it has excellent performance in terms of browsing, downloading<\/strong> and streaming<\/strong>. While most VPNs use 256-bit encryption, NordVPN goes a step further and uses 2048-bit<\/strong> encryption, guaranteeing your anonymity and data security. It\u2019s perfect if you\u2019re looking for a good VPN that fully protects your device.<\/p>\n

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3. HotSpot Shield<\/h3>\n

\"Anuncio<\/p>\n

One of the easiest, most intuitive<\/strong> VPNs on the market, HotSpot Shield is ideal for anyone who wants to surf the internet without complicated menus. You can start to browse rapidly and easily at the click of a button. Among HotSpot Shield\u2019s strengths is the fact that this VPN can encrypt your internet connection<\/strong> if you have to use a public Wi-Fi network<\/strong>, protecting your device and data.<\/p>\n

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Before you purchase a paid VPN, be sure to check out our deals<\/strong> at Softonic. Check out our picks for the Best VPNs of 2020<\/a> with discounts of up to 80% on subcriptions.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We hope this article has helped you decide between downloading a free VPN<\/strong> and a paid one. What is your favorite VPN? Tell us about it!<\/p>\n

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Quick and easy guide to VPNs<\/p>\r\n READ MORE<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Using a free VPN may seem like an amazing idea at first. It promises the online anonymity you crave, lets you bypass geo-blocking, and makes you feel like your personal data and searches are always protected. Oh, and it doesn’t cost a dime! But, as is often the case, there\u2019s no such thing as a … Continue reading “The ‘Free VPN’ Trap: Dangers, Realities and Safe Paid Alternatives”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2040,"featured_media":134332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":1},"categories":[2518,2441,3150],"tags":[2613,1852],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-151424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","category-how-to","category-uncategorized","tag-app-subdomain-redirectionfree-vpn","tag-vpn"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2040"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151424"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325248,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151424\/revisions\/325248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151424"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=151424"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=151424"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=151424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}