The topic of VPNs in general, and free VPNs in particular, is covered with many myths. Some people believe that VPNs are used only for illegal purposes, while others claim that free VPNs are not reliable. All of these statements are false, and today we will explore the myths and the truth about free VPNs.

The History of VPNs

The earliest stages of VPN history date back to the 1970s. Back then, dedicated leased lines or dial-up connections were utilized to connect discreetly to network devices. The development of modern VPNs is associated with Microsoft. An employee of this company developed the first Peer-to-Peer Tunneling Protocol in 1996. At that time, VPN was used in the corporate world as a way to securely transfer data. VPN technology became widespread in the 2000s and developing, gave us a free VPN.

VPNs are used nowadays to safeguard internet connections, guard against viruses and hacking, guarantee online privacy, open geo-blocked content, and conceal users’ real locations. A crucial tool for remaining safe and secure online, a VPN is now more affordable and easier to use than ever.

Technology advancements have offered us a free VPN. Free VPNs frequently provide the same level of encryption as premium options and employ the same protocols. Most often, the free version of the VPN is used as a way to attract new customers, some of whom will eventually buy a premium subscription or recommend it to their friends. Despite certain limitations as compared to premium options, such as fewer VPN servers accessible, free VPN still offers excellent data security.

Myths and Truths About Free VPN

Myth 1: Only hackers and criminals use VPNs.

Truths: Today, VPNs are used as a technology to protect against criminals and hackers. Statistics show that 65% of VPN users use it for work and security, and the rest for high-quality online gaming and travel.

VPNs provide security by encrypting traffic. This makes your data harder for hackers to access because they need to not only get hold of your data but also decrypt it.

Even if you have nothing to hide, privacy still counts. Digital tracking is a profitable industry, and even seemingly innocent data may be exploited to create a comprehensive portrait of you. All of the information gathered by advertisers and data brokers is available for use, or it may be sold to the highest bidder.

Myth 2: VPNs are only for tech-savvy people; they are too complicated for regular users.

Truths: Modern VPNs have a user-friendly interface so you don’t need to be a cyber expert to use one. Articles concerning data encryption, VPN protocols, and other security technologies may give you the creeps. Instead of getting into the specifics of the VPN, you might select one with a solid web reputation in this situation. To select the best VPN, we nevertheless advise you to become at least somewhat familiar with the features and distinctions of the different options.

The process of using a VPN is quite simple in most cases. Using a Chrome extension or an Android phone VPN app, you can quickly establish a VPN connection in a few clicks.

Myth 3: Free VPNs sell users’ data.

Truths: As we mentioned above, free VPN is usually offered by providers that also have a paid option and use it as a way to attract new customers. Selling user data here would be counterproductive because the possible harm to one’s reputation would exceed any immediate financial gain. Given the intense competition in the VPN industry, reputation is crucial. Consequently, a respectable business won’t take risks.

Go over the privacy policy of a VPN company carefully to see how they handle customer data. True, some VPNs on the market handle user data less carefully than others, but reputable VPN companies that follow tight privacy guidelines are also available.

It is often worth checking the country of registration of the VPN provider. The country’s regulations will significantly affect the company’s ability to handle user data.

Myth 4: Free VPNs have compatibility problems.

Truths: Numerous websites employ various methods to obstruct VPN traffic. Since unencrypted and unanonymized traffic contains more user data that can be examined and utilized for personal gain, they take these actions to safeguard their interests.

Choose a free VPN that has a round-the-clock support service and a well-developed blog and FAQ section on its website. There, you can find answers on how to act in case of errors and failures.

In terms of compatibility with different devices, there are free VPN solutions for almost all devices today. So you can install a free VPN on IOS, download a browser extension, set a VPN on Windows, etc.

Myth 5: Free VPNs are slow.

Truths: In fact, the speed depends on many factors, including the current load on the VPN server, the distance to the remote server, and the VPN protocol. In both paid and free VPNs, there may be cases when the load on one server is too high, which slows down the work. This can usually be fixed in two clicks by simply selecting another server in the application. Usually, an average user will not notice a change in speed, even if it occurs, but it can be crucial for those who choose a VPN for gaming.

VPNs may be fast and slow, whether they are paid for or free. Choose a VPN responsibly and take note of the server locations and VPN protocols employed by the service. If you choose a VPN for gaming, you need to have a server available in the region where the data centers of your favorite game are located. This will reduce latency and may even have a positive impact on your connection speed.

Thus, the VPN is an evolving technology. It has gained popularity worldwide throughout the last 20 years, exceeding the business sector. You can find a good option among both free and paid VPNs. So choose one today to safeguard your data.