Are You Using a Free VPN? Why You Should Never Shop Online on a Free VPN
Are you using a free VPN to carry out online transactions? Over the past few decades, VPNs have been the most popular solution for many privacy problems on the internet.
With the aid of VPN, various services such as online shopping and banking can be easily secured with end-to-end encryption. But should you really use free VPN services while shopping online?
However, the fact is that things are somehow different when it comes to using free VPNs. Here are the reasons why you should never shop online using a free VPN:
#1]. Free VPN can spy on personal information
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Compared to paid VPNs, using a free VPN for the purpose of online shopping can be quite risky. Did you ask why? Well, because these so-called free VPNs often spy on users.
However, it can track all the online activities you conduct. Also, it can access your personal information such as the login credentials.
Free VPNs often receive their funds from different sources. They can easily sell your personal information to third-party players.
Although you don’t have to make payments to use a free VPN, but it can cost you a lot if your personal data is sold. To safeguard your private data, you should avoid using free VPN services to conduct online shopping.
Moreover, most free VPNs lack a privacy policy that you can trust to secure your information. As a matter of fact, some of the free VPNs have stated it clearly that by using their network, you give them access to your information and to transfer it to a different source and location.
It’s only that many users don’t take the time to go through the fine prints. So, by using the free VPN to shop online, it becomes easy for them to access your data and even your location.
#2]. Free VPN exposes you to malware
One key reason for using a VPN is to safeguard your own privacy as you browse the internet. However, the greatest fear associated with free VPNs is that they expose you to malware.
Whenever you browse the internet or shop online on a free VPN, you risk exposing your data to third-party trackers. The fact that free VPNs can compromise your privacy and security is very alarming.
Free VPNs may access your information in different ways. One major way is to include malware software that can easily steal your personal data. By shopping online on a free VPN, you expose your information to a hidden rootkit that is very complicated to get rid of.
You also risk an attack from third-party entities. Apart from that, the malware can easily steal your personal login credentials including passwords. At times, it can take a screenshot of the online activities you are conducting.
#3]. Free VPN is associated with spammy advertising
Mostly, malware attacks are associated with advertising agencies. This makes sense since free VPNs lack the obvious sources of income that paid VPNs have – subscription fees.
Moreover, this is also one of the reasons why a VPN that tends to limit its data usage is likely to be more dangerous.
#4]. Paid VPNs often offer unlimited data usage
Basically, free VPNs tend to do the opposite rather than providing maximum privacy to the users. Apart from collecting your personal data, they also sell it to the highest bidder.
Therefore, using the paid VPN is more preferable since it guarantees you the safety of your data as you shop online.
Final Word
In conclusion, using a free VPN is both risky and dangerous. You risk exposing your personal information including your login details.
So, to avoid compromising your privacy and security, only use premium or freemium VPNs. With a trustworthy provider, you can stay truly secure when e-banking.
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