VPNs (virtual private networks) have become commonplace in businesses and homes worldwide. By giving users an encrypted connection to the Internet, VPNs boost security and privacy in a world where these are precious commodities.
This security, in particular, is essential for people who transact online. Nevertheless, VPNs come with their share of downsides.
The disadvantages of VPNs are not commonly referenced, particularly as providers only want to highlight their benefits in order to make sales. However, knowing what disadvantages are present can help avoid disappointment when a VPN doesn’t work as you expect.
Are There Any Dangers With VPN?
All levels of service usage may be impacted by malware infections that can infect VPN servers and client devices. Malware-stolen credentials can be exploited to compromise VPN systems, resulting in the previously listed hazards of MitM attacks or data leaks brought on by deliberate VPN system configuration errors.
Is It Bad to Have a VPN On All the Time?
It is harmless to leave your VPN on all the time, although it might lead to certain issues. Using a VPN may cause your device’s battery to drain substantially more quickly. Your device or connection speed may be slowed down by the VPN. Your actual location may be required by certain internet services.
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Are There Any Downsides To Using a VPN?
While VPNs offer plenty of advantages, they aren’t perfect. It’s important to understand the potential downsides before deciding if a VPN is right for you. Here are the downsides to using a VPN:
Slower Speeds
One of the most significant downsides to using a VPN is that you may experience slower connection speeds. The reason for this is your traffic needs to be rerouted through the VPN’s servers before reaching the end destination or site you’re visiting.
While most of the best VPNs take steps to mitigate this and even actively try and increase your connection speed, this is not always achievable. Therefore, when using a VPN, expect online requests to sometimes take slightly longer.
Price
There are a number of incredible VPNs available that are entirely free to use. They provide most of the same features as a premium VPN service but often limit access to them. As such, there may be a restriction on the amount of data you send or receive via the VPN or the locations you can select when choosing a server to use.
You’ll most likely need to pay for a subscription to circumvent these restrictions and fully utilise the VPN. These are generally available for monthly or annual plans but can be pricey depending on which provider you opt for, resulting in steeper fees than you expect.
Increased Data Usage
Although this is rarely a consideration since people have widespread access to uncapped home internet in the UK, using a VPN could increase the amount of data you use. This is due to the additional encryption and communication that occurs between your device and the VPN server.
While it won’t impact home use if you have limitless Wi-Fi, using a VPN on your mobile device that has metered usage could result in higher bills than expected. Having a fixed limit could also result in you running out of data before your new allocation date is near.
Trust
Using a VPN places your data in the hands of the provider you choose. Essentially, this means you trust them with the information that you want to keep private from everybody else and rely on them to keep it safe.
Despite the very few incidents of this trust being breached, VPN providers may track or log your usage for internal purposes. In some instances, this information may even be sold to other third parties without your knowledge.
Sense of Security
One of the most significant drawbacks of a VPN is the false sense of security it can create. Many believe that a VPN completely protects them from all forms of threats found online. However, this is untrue.
Even when connected through a VPN, you can still fall prey to phishing attacks, malware, spyware, and other forms of intrusion. Therefore, additional measures still need to be taken to ensure your safety.
What Are the Different Types Of VPN Attacks?
Aside from the false sense of security that your VPN provider will protect you, many VPN servers are attacked. If a server you are using is attacked, your information could be stolen and cause a risk for you without you being directly targeted. Here are the different types of VPN attacks:
Leaks
VPNs can effectively mark your location from others online. However, if your DNS is not correctly configured, DNS requests may bypass your VPN, revealing your true location and possibly your online activities.
Like DNS, IPv6 information may also be leaked if your VPN doesn’t know how to tunnel or manage IPv6 traffic correctly. Should this occur, your information may also be less private than you believe.
Antivirus Interference
Many of us use antivirus and firewall software to keep ourselves and our information safe. This software ensures that no malicious code can install itself on our device and that things run smoothly. However, a VPN can sometimes clash with these programs and protocols. When this happens, your protection may be reduced or, in the most severe cases, disabled.
Data Throttling
Although not overly common, ISPs may throttle data based on whether you’re using a VPN. Doing so is challenging for ISPs, as a VPN masks your packets. However, if you are using a popular VPN provider, ISPs can more easily track this.
If your VPN provider is known for bypassing restrictions, such as geolocation blocks, your ISP may throttle your connection. This often forms part of your terms of service, wherein they have the right to do so.
Complexity
Modern VPN providers offer extreme simplicity in that they allow you to install an app that configures and activates your VPN. However, if you’re using a more advanced VPN, you may need to configure it yourself. This configuration can be complex and well beyond the abilities of regular users.
Dropped Connections
As all your traffic when using a VPN is being tunnelled through a server before reaching its destination, you are reliant on your connection to the VPN server. This server, however, can sometimes have dropped connections to the internet.
When this happens, your VPN may also experience dropped connections, severing your connection to the server and forcing you to reconnect. When this happens, your information will be accessible as the server will no longer mask it until you reconnect.
Blocking
Some services, particularly those in industries like iGaming and streaming, do not allow connections if you’re using a VPN. These sites have geolocation filters that only allow access to people in a particular region. Since using a VPN is a popular method to try get around these restrictions, many sites tend to block all VPN traffic.
Legality and Ethics
Besides being mostly allowed, some countries, such as Belarus and Iran, legally restrict the use of VPNs. Accessing a VPN server within these regions can have serious legal repercussions. Additionally, many question the ethics of VPNs when they are used to circumvent restrictions that exist for good reason.
Limited Torrent Support
A wildly popular use of VPNs is masking your identity while torrenting or using P2P file sharing sites. However, some VPN providers do not allow this type of traffic and may restrict your ability to access these services.
