What’s the difference between a paid VPN and a free VPN?
It’s not for the faint of heart to deal with cyber security. Every day, you’ll read about data breaches and crypto wallet thefts, which are almost often the result of human error. On the internet, we all make mistakes, and this is how we learn and evolve.
However, not every VPN is the same. They vary in size and complexity, and some are easier to crack open than others, just like the padlocks you’d buy for your suitcase. While it may be tempting to save money by using a free VPN, most of them do so in exchange for targeted advertisements.
VPN, in simple terms
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online application that protects your privacy by hiding your location and identity. It encrypts your internet traffic and sends it through remote servers while you hide your location. You can surf the internet safely and privately.
You can also use VPN to change your IP address in another country and access geo-restricted content without restriction. A free transaction is pretty cool on paper, but can you trust a free VPN with your online privacy?
Is it safe to use a free VPN?
In July 2020, a large data breach exposed an estimated one billion internet records, potentially affecting over 20 million users of free VPN programs.
Personal information about users was exposed in this incident, including email addresses, home addresses, passwords, and IP addresses.
As if that wasn’t awful enough, some free VPN providers that were in charge of the security breach were profiting from the data of their consumers.
You may virtually say goodbye to your Internet privacy if you utilize free VPN services because they sell your data to ads.
The Benefits of a Paid VPN
Paid VPNs, contrary to popular assumption, are a safe and relatively straightforward way to keep kind of safe online, especially if you use pretty public Wi-Fi or work from home.
A VPN subscription is similar to vehicle insurance in that you pay a monthly or annual price to protect yourself from accidents and criminal activity.
As a result, while choosing a VPN company, make sure it fits your lifestyle.
If browsing anonymously is crucial to you, then investing in a “no logs” VPN is a must. When a VPN provides this service, it means that they do not gather information about you, such as your login credentials, location, or the websites you visit and download.