Issues with free VPN servicesSolved

Hey @yuudai ,

Free VPN services have no subscriptions or upfront costs. Yes, they are free, but they come with a lot of serious downsides. At the end of the day, they have to make money, and free VPNs often do this by selling user data and browsing activity to advertisers and other third parties. When it comes to privacy with free VPNs, just forget about it. The tag ‘free’ comes with a lot of downsides that might compromise your data. Another thing is that free VPNs are often overloaded with users because they don’t have the resources to add more servers or manage high traffic. This leads to slower browsing speeds, constant buffering while streaming, and frequent disconnections.

I agree with nevaeh on the issues that come with the tag ‘free’ VPN. From a different perspective, the most vulnerable to data compromises are organizations, particularly those in the IT sector. For instance, creators of the 911 S5 botnet, one of the largest botnets ever, used several free VPN services to build their network. Users who installed these VPN apps had their devices turned into proxy servers for cybercriminals, who then used them for illegal activities like cyberattacks, fraud, and even money laundering. 

The relevant authorities took down this botnet, but it had been operational for nearly a decade and put the data of millions of users worldwide at risk. It’s a strong reminder that with free VPNs, you often get more than you bargained for and not in a good way. Paid VPN providers don’t pose the same risks because they’re financially motivated to deliver secure, reliable services. 

The only strength of a free VPN is that it’s free. People typically don’t expect high end service when they get something without paying. But if you pay for a subscription, you can expect better speeds, extensive and advanced features, solid encryption, and 24/7 support. 

You have no room for failure when you run a paid VPN because they’re obliged to deliver what they’ve promised. This is what I have to say about how a paid VPN makes a difference. 

Woah, I didn’t realize free VPNs could put you at such risk. It sounds like paying for one might be a smart investment if you care about privacy and security.