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However, it’s vital to ensure your free VPN is secure and reliable.
Cybersecurity companyKasperskyhas warned of a surge in potentially malicious apps posing as VPNs.
Image: A fake VPN app before removal from Google Play store
Cybercriminals take advantage of users who want to use a free VPN.
In May 2024,authorities dismantledabotnet(online grid of hijacked computer devices) known as 911 S5.
Several free VPN services, including MaskVPN, ShieldVPN, and PaladinVPN, were used to create this botnet.
Image: A fake VPN app before removal from Google Play store
Users who installed these VPN apps had their devices transformed into proxy servers channelling someone else’s traffic.
The malicious internet spanned 19 million unique IP addresses across more than 190 countries worldwide.
And they think it is even better if this VPN service is free!"
The answer is yes if you pick the right one.
Free VPNs are often cut-back services that don’t offer nearly as many features as their premium counterparts.
If you feel the need to upgrade, it’s worth checking out thebest Black Friday VPN dealsfor bargains.
A lot of the time, free VPNs will have data or bandwidth restrictions, and offer slower speeds.
You are limited with your server location choice and many aren’t really interested in looking after your privacy.
PrivadoVPN Freeis our most recommended free VPN.
Its speed and server locations don’t quite match Privado, but you do get unlimited data.
A free VPN that does offerunlimited gear protectionisWindscribe Free.
The 10 GB data cap is again pretty generous but won’t last long with streaming.
It boasts good privacy protections, but these have not been verified by an independent audit.
What if I fall victim to a malicious app?
Nobody wants to be a victim of cybercrime, but it can happen.
Despite this, VPNs are not a silver bullet and there are additional ways to protect yourself.
It’s vital to only press a link or download if you’re certain it’s safe.
Your passwords should be long, unique, and contain a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Some VPN companies include password managers, or antivirus software in their plans.
OnlyNordVPN’sThreat Protection Procan match thebest antivirus software, having been rated thebest VPN malware protectiontool.
These tools detect and warn you of suspicious sites and apps, warning you before you access them.
NordVPN offers a similar product,NordProtect.
However, this is only available on Nord’s most expensive Prime plan.
