The popularity of virtual private networks has grown in recent years as people have become more aware of how their activities are being constantly tracked and sold for profit by their internet service providers and others.
Other people are also using VPNs to get past geographic restrictions that would otherwise keep them from watching their favorite TV shows or sporting events.
If you fall into one or both of these camps, you might be thinking about signing up for a VPN, too. You also might be wondering if it’s something you actually need to pay for, given that there are countless free VPNs available for download.
But security experts warn that, as the old saying goes, few things in life are actually free — and that’s especially true when it comes to VPNs.
“If something like this is free, then the user is the product,” said Iskander Sanchez-Rola, director of privacy innovation for Gen, the parent company of the Norton 360 consumer security software, most versions of which includes a paid VPN.
“Don’t get a VPN just because it’s cheap or free or gives you a few free months of service. It’s important to do your research and know what you’re signing up for.”
So what does paying for a VPN actually get you? Here’s a look at the big differences between paid and free versions of the products.
More features
Legitimate VPN companies may offer a free version as a way to get you interested and eventually upgrade to the paid version down the road. But just like with other kinds of software, what you get could be bare bones. It might be slower than you would like or cap your data at a frustratingly low level.
For some people who only use a VPN from time to time, a very limited free version might be enough. That could be especially true for people who are primarily looking to watch out-of-market TV than actually protect their data and privacy.
Just remember, you get what you pay for. The only free VPN that CNET’s testers have found to be worth using is ProtonVPN. Unlike with other free…
Read the full article here