6 frequent VPN myths everybody falls for—and why they’re unsuitable

1. VPNs are just for criminality

This can be a highly regarded fable that I usually come throughout. Whereas it’s true that VPNs can be utilized for unlawful actions like hacking and torrenting, that’s not what they have been meant for. Defending your privateness is the primary intention and a VPN can try this by masking your IP handle and encrypting your web site visitors.

With a VPN in place you possibly can go forward and do the issues it is advisable to do on-line with out your ISP, the websites you go to, and the federal government holding tabs in your actions. That’s essential in international locations the place digital censorship is rife and private freedoms are restricted. However even in international locations which have a excessive degree of non-public freedom, VPNs present a safer technique to get pleasure from these freedoms with extra anonymity.

2. VPNs are just for unblocking streaming websites

Streaming is a giant promoting level of VPNs that you just’ll usually hear touted much more than the privateness options. And it’s true that VPNs are extraordinarily helpful for that. As an illustration, you would possibly need to use one to skirt round geofences and watch Netflix abroad or else entry the BBC iPlayer or Hulu. Nonetheless, it’s not the one manner you need to use a VPN. You may additionally use one to do any of the next:

• Entry your banking app once you’re abroad.
• Keep safe when on public Wi-Fi and stop hackers intercepting your knowledge.
• Spoof your location to take a look at gross sales in numerous areas of the world.

3. VPNs result in unstable web connections

VPNs work to encrypt your knowledge by sending it by servers earlier than it reaches its vacation spot. For that motive, you’ll expertise a slight slowdown in your web connection because it takes further time to encrypt your knowledge, however it received’t trigger an unstable web connection.

If you happen to’re paying for a quick VPN plan in your personal area, likelihood is you received’t even discover the slowdown, it’ll be so minor it’ll be undetectable. In some instances, utilizing a VPN might really pace up your web connection, like in case your ISP is throttling your connection since you’re streaming, gaming, or torrenting. So, take these claims with a grain of salt. See additionally PCWorld’s suggestions for the quickest VPNs.

4. You don’t have to pay for a VPN

Sadly, the saying “You get what you pay for” applies to digital non-public networks too. It’s true that some free VPNs aren’t as reliable as paid providers and can leak your info to 3rd events to earn a living. Others simply can’t compete with the speeds of absolutely paid providers, after which some will bombard you with adverts to make up for the shortage of fee of their providers.

If you happen to don’t need to compromise on high quality and pace you need to actually select a top quality paid choice like those we overview and advocate at PCWorld. You’ll discover a world of distinction after some time.

Pexels: Dan Nelson

5. VPNs make you utterly nameless on-line

VPNs aren’t utterly foolproof and whereas they will enhance your digital safety, they will’t assure full anonymity.

Even in case you’re assigned a brand new IP handle each time you connect with the web, some web sites you go to will nonetheless know the place you’re situated. Moreover, through social media trackers, cookies, and adverts they will construct up a really complete profile of your internet shopping actions. If you happen to signal into an internet site or service, it’ll know who you’re, no matter whether or not you’re utilizing a VPN.

You additionally should be cautious of what info you personally share on-line, as a result of even with a masked IP handle, that info could be linked again to you. Sharing info is as much as you and never one thing a VPN might help you with.

6. A no-logs coverage means the VPN retains no logs

Regardless of what they are saying, most VPNs will maintain some logs so as to enhance their providers. These will usually be aggregated or anonymized logs which have details about how lengthy you’ve linked to a server and which server you’re utilizing and so on., however not logs of your IP or machine. This distinction is often hidden with some artistic wording within the privateness coverage, which is the place all of the confusion arises.

There have additionally been reviews of some VPNs claiming to have no-logs insurance policies and whereas technically true, they let third-party advertisers maintain logs, which is somewhat deceptive. So you’ll want to learn the nice print of the privateness coverage earlier than you signal as much as any plan.