Virtual private network (VPN) has gone from a hot commodity to a necessary tool that helps you stay safe while browsing the web, which will fuel the value of the industry to almost $93 billion in 2027.
But not all VPNs are created equal.
As a matter of fact, some VPNs are great, and some are flat-out bad. Are you having issues with your VPNs? Here are 5 signs you need a new provider.
1. Your VPN Is Free
Before diving deep into this sign, it’s important to note that not all “free” VPNs are malicious.
Many providers offer a free version of their paid VPN and give users access to a limited set of features with the hopes of collecting more paid subscriptions.
However, you should be wary of VPNs that offer access to all their features without a charge because this represents an unsustainable business model.
Out of all VPN users, around 47% are on fully free platforms. In these cases, there’s a strong chance the VPN providers are monetizing these users behind the scenes.
2. The Privacy Policy Is Confusing
In its most basic form, a VPN is a privacy and security tool. Your VPN provider’s privacy policy should inform you that no unnecessary data is collected and that the information being stored is handled carefully.
If your VPN’s privacy policy contains suspicious or confusing statements, you should consider this a red flag.
Examples of suspicious statements include:
- Sentences indicating that collected data will be sent to third parties;
- No referral to the exact data being collected;
- And privacy policies that don’t contain any mention of data collection or storage.
To pick a reliable VPN, conduct your research, find the providers that satisfy your needs and fit your budget, and then get a subscription. You may even want to use a VPN Black Friday deal to get a discount.
3. Security Features Aren’t Robust
High-quality VPNs require a wide range of security features to operate and deliver privacy to users. However, bad virtual private networks often offer lackluster functionalities and don’t usually bring features like:
- A killswitch;
- Secure servers;
- Private DNS;
- Leak protection;
- No logs policies, among others.
Your main priority should be to make sure that your VPN has AES 256 GCM encryption, but having the other features above will also help ensure you’re using a safe platform.
4. The Core VPN Features Don’t Work Well
Do you have a hard time connecting to the internet whenever you’re on your VPN?
Is your real location still visible? Are you constantly locked out of websites?
If the answer to all of these is yes and other basic functionalities of your VPN aren’t working well, then it’s likely that it’s not reliable at all, so you should test a new platform right away.
5. Zero Online Presence or Reviews Anywhere
Like with other online products, if you research VPN providers before making a final choice, you’ll gain insights from people that’ve used the platform.
Now, if you can’t find any reviews or social media accounts for the VPN, you should search for another alternative.
The reason for this is that social media is a huge way to connect with users, so it’s one of the first channels that successful companies, including VPN providers, start leveraging right away.
What Happens If You Use a Bad VPN?
The whole point of using VPNs is maintaining high privacy and safety levels while browsing the web.
When you connect using a bad VPN, you risk using poor technology that compromises your privacy and makes it easier for malicious parties to collect, store, and transmit your data.
Which VPNs to Avoid
There are many bad VPNs out there, and many more are bound to appear.
Here are some signs of VPNs you should avoid.
- The service is free;
- You can’t connect to the internet while on the VPN;
- GEO-locked content remains inaccessible.
How Can I Test If My VPN Is Working?
You should test your VPNs to make sure it’s reliable and working properly. It’s possible to test your VPN by:
- Checking your original IP address to make sure it’s been masked;
- Performing DNS leak tests;
- Verifying there are no WebRTC leaks.
Conclusion
VPNs are fantastic tools that can help you visit your favorite sites safely and stay anonymous while browsing the web.
But, if you have a VPN that’s completely free, has a confusing privacy policy, or doesn’t have functional features, it may be a sign that you need a change.
Bad VPNs don’t raise your privacy levels and may even put your information at risk, so make sure to find a reliable provider and switch to a platform you can trust.
