Are you thinking of using a VPN but concerned about the possible VPN issues? Then read on to find out what problems you may encounter and what you can do about them.
VPN services have picked up quite a lot in popularity in the past couple of years. It’s mostly because of their ability to let people access geo-blocked content. Though many people also use VPNs to increase their online privacy as well.
Whatever reason someone ends up picking for using a VPN, there are still a few potential issues that could be holding them back.
What is a VPN?
Imagine having an internet connection where ISPs and other entities can’t spy on your every click or scroll. A connection that isn’t restricted by arbitrary geo-blocks that keep people from accessing content. That’s pretty much what a VPN enables.
VPNs encrypt your connection which prevents anyone else (including ISPs) from seeing what you send over the internet. They also route all traffic through a secure server, providing anonymity by hiding your IP address.
People use VPNs for a variety of reasons:
- accessing geo-restricted content,
- evading government oppression,
- staying safe from hacking attempts,
- preventing websites and advertisers from tracking them,
- etc.
Related: What is VPN service or connection? Why you should use one?
5 Point Guide to buying a VPN Service
4 VPN Issues
1. Free VPNs Pose Major Security Risks
Who doesn’t love getting what they want for free? This is why so many people make the mistake of downloading the first free VPN they come across.
That could be a costly mistake, though, because free doesn’t equal safe.
The purpose of a VPN is to protect your connection and online privacy. And since free VPNs have to operate at the cost of something, if it isn’t your money, then it is your private data.
Ironic, isn’t it?
When you use a VPN, you are choosing to trust a VPN provider with your online activities rather than your ISP. While premium VPNs don’t keep any logs and don’t track what you do, it’s not necessarily how free VPNs operate. They can gather information such as the websites you visited and identifiable information you sent over their servers. And then sell it for the highest bidder.
Last year, Top10VPN investigated free VPNs and found some disturbing results. Their report revealed that almost 60% of free VPN apps available on popular mobile stores were Chinese-owned. Along with that, an astonishing 80% of free VPNs available on the App Store are in breach of Apple’s data-sharing restrictions.
2.A VPN Can Slow a Connection Down
VPNs are notorious for slowing connections down. It results in slower loading times and a higher ping for online gamers. The thing is, there’s usually no way to escape this issue when it comes to VPNs because of how they work. A VPN sends your connection through a remote server to encrypt it. That adds a few extra steps to the process.
But that doesn’t mean it has to always result in a noticeably slow connection. There are a few things that determine how much it slows a connection down.
First, the distance data has to travel is a significant contributing factor. For instance, if you’re in Australia and you connect to a VPN server in Germany, then the connection would likely be slower than usual. If the server you connect to is experiencing heavy traffic, then the connection will be slower as well.
But connection speed isn’t usually an issue with the top VPN services. Unlike many smaller VPN services, they use efficient routing infrastructure.
Also, VPNs, unlike ISPs, don’t throttle users’ bandwidth. So in some cases, your connection speed with a VPN can be even faster than without one. It’s especially evident when it comes to streaming, gaming, or p2p sharing.
3.Some Websites Block Known VPN IP Addresses
Websites (media streaming services in particular) sometimes block VPN IP addresses. It isn’t too hard to discover these, as they aren’t exactly hidden from the public.
Most VPN services often change the IP addresses they use to overcome this problem. But not all have the resources for that.
That said, there are hundreds of VPN services out there. So it’s also worth looking into smaller VPN services who might not have had their IP addresses banned (yet).
4.Untrustworthy VPNs May Sell User Data
Using a VPN means putting a lot of trust into that service provider since all data travels through their servers. That means, if they want, they can look at or even use that data for targeted ads or to sell to third parties.
Therefore, it’s crucial to research before picking a VPN. Look at online reviews and discussions in places like Reddit. Also, go through the privacy policies of VPNs you consider.
In the end, stick to VPN service that has a no-logs policy and which can back that up with evidence. No logs policy means that the service doesn’t record or store any personal information or online activity. So, they also don’t have anything to share with third-parties.
Summary
Not only can VPN services ensure privacy, but they also add convenience. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any downsides to using a VPN. That’s why it’s crucial to be picky. Choosing the right VPN service shouldn’t be a light decision.
What is the suggested VPN?
We suggest NordVPN(70% Discounted Link) to trust and to use. Because it is the best VPN service that is available at an affordable price. You can read our NordVPN review for complete details.
I hope this tutorial helped you to know about VPN issues and solutions to them. If you like this article, please share it and follow WhatVwant on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more Technical tips.
Can Using a VPN Cause You Problems- FAQ
What problems can VPN cause?
A VPN can slow down the connection. Some untrustworthy VPNs sell the users’ data.
Is using a free VPN safe?
Using a Free VPN is not safe. It may pose to major security risks.
Does websites block the VPN IP address?
Not all only few websites block the Known VPN IP address.
Can hackers hack the data even after using a VPN?
Using a VPN doesn’t meant the data won’t hack. There is source to hackers to hack the data even after using a VPN solution.
Vpns are becoming popular and sure you have to be responsible for what you use, I mean don’t use free services that sell your data… I’ve chosen your recommended NordVPN as it has strong security and don’t log anything.