The price to pay for using a free VPN.

Many free VPN services pose a risk of tracking, selling data, or leaking users' personal information.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are recommended by many experts as an effective solution for protecting online privacy and personal data from third-party surveillance, including internet service providers (ISPs). While paid VPN services are generally considered more reliable, many people still seek free options to save money. However, using free VPNs carries several risks that users should be aware of.

Users may want to reconsider using free VPN apps.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

One of the biggest dangers is the poor security of free VPN services. If a VPN doesn't charge a fee, it may not have the resources to maintain robust security protocols. As a result, it not only threatens user privacy but also leaves their devices and networks vulnerable to cyber threats.

The surprising numbers regarding the risks of free VPN apps.

According to research by Zimperium, over 65% of the 800 free VPN apps tested on the Apple and Google app stores exhibited risky behavior, including the use of dangerous APIs and unsafe operations.

Furthermore, free VPNs may sell user data to advertisers or expose personal information due to a lack of security measures. In the past, there have been many serious data leaks, such as in 2020 when the information of 20 million VPN users was leaked, and this number rose to 360 million records in 2023.

While not all free VPN services are bad, for example, some VPN providers like Proton and Windscribe offer free packages for users to try out. However, these packages often have limitations and may not meet everyday needs.

Therefore, users should carefully consider their options before deciding to use a free VPN and prioritize choosing reliable service providers, even if it means paying for premium services.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cai-gia-phai-tra-khi-dung-vpn-mien-phi-185260524185036036.htm