Are free VPNs safe to use online? | usagoldmines.com

Keeping yourself safe online can feel like an increasingly difficult challenge. One solution is to use a VPN to encrypt your data when online, but this isn’t as simple a fix as it first sounds. Here’s a quick guide on how to improve your online safety and make sure your data stays secure.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network is software that creates an encrypted ‘tunnel’ through which your data flows when using the internet. This makes it very hard for hackers to track your activities online or steal your data.

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Should I use a free VPN?

The idea of a free VPN might be tempting, and there are certainly some reputable examples available, but choosing the wrong one can open up you and your data to significant risks. For example, a recent academic paper entitled Hidden Links: Analyzing Secret Families of VPN apps found that groups of VPNs on the Google Play Store shared the same code and security vulnerabilities, making them easier targets for hackers. Security analysts Cyfirma also reported on malware masquerading as a free VPN which, once installed, would steal user data.

Another example from Koi Securities revealed that a popular free VPN Chrome extension was secretly taking screenshots of users’ activities that could then be uploaded to the company servers.

Free VPNs can often be data capped too, feature weaker encryption than premium products, and have fewer servers around the world. While it’s not true that all free VPNs are unsafe, there is a risk involved when signing up to one if you don’t know how it operates.

Which VPNs are safe to use?

When it comes to security, you’ll want to use a VPN from a known and trusted brand. Norton is a name synonymous with data security, and its Norton VPN is built to continue that legacy.

Norton also runs a no-log policy, which has been audited multiple times by independent third parties, so none of your browsing activities are stored on its servers or seen by its staff. It also uses IP rotation and Double VPN technology to ensure your privacy when online. With over 100 locations across the world and a built-in ad blocker to speed up and simplify your browsing experience, Norton VPN not only makes your time online safer, it’s also more enjoyable as you’ll face less interruptions.

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Norton VPN – money well spent

Don’t take the risk of using a free VPN that might watch what you do online. Instead, sign up to Norton VPN and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your privacy and security have protection.

Subscriptions start at a low cost of £29.99 for the first year for the Norton VPN Standard plan that covers up to five devices, while Norton VPN Ultimate for available at £39.99, for the first year, covers up to ten devices, and also includes AI-powered scam detection, 50GB of cloud storage for Windows, as well as parental control tools.