If you are someone who regularly has to share files online, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is always your first line of defence. In addition to hiding your IP address and true location, VPNs also encrypt your data. And as this technology has evolved over time, peer-to-peer (P2P) VPNs have become increasingly popular.
They certainly are a tempting alternative to your traditional VPNs which only work with centralised servers. These, on the other hand, connect through a network of other users’ devices. Sure, they do come with faster speeds and most times, free access. But are they completely safe?
Well, when you connect to these networks, you essentially become part of the network. Which means you’re not only sharing your bandwidth with strangers, but also your IP address. This doesn’t mean you need to write P2P VPNs off completely, but rather know exactly what happens with your information.
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How Do Peer-To-Peer VPNs Work?
With traditional VPNs, the server you connect to is owned by one provider. So when your data travels through that server, it’s encrypted and no one else can see what you do online.
With P2P VPNs, there is no central server. Your data will be routed through someone else’s device and likewise, their traffic will go through yours. It’s almost like crowdfunding but for VPNs. Every user has to contribute bandwidth and it forms a distributed system for everyone.
But when it comes to file sharing specifically, there are definitely some privacy concerns.
Why Do People Use It For File Sharing?
For someone who often has to upload and download files, especially large ones, P2P VPNs are appealing. And there are a couple of good reasons for this.
Speed: With this kind of VPN, traffic is routed through peoples’ devices who are nearby as opposed to a server which could be far away. Because the distance is now significantly reduced, you can have faster speeds compared to an ordinary VPN.
No single control: There is no one company in charge, who could monitor your activity or store your data.
It’s cheaper or free: A lot of these VPNs work on a credit-sharing system instead of you having to pay for a subscription. You can end up paying less, or nothing at all.
Safety Concerns You Should Be Aware Of
In theory, there are advantages to using P2P VPNs for file sharing. But there are also significant risks especially when it comes to your privacy.
Others Can See Your IP Address
Since your devices would be used to route other users’ traffic, this would mean that your IP address is also used. And if you don’t know who is using your IP address, you don’t know what they could be doing online.
If it were anything illegal, it would be traced back to you and not them, leaving you with legal issues even if you weren’t involved.
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The Level Of Encryption Can Vary
Ordinary VPNs have to use well-known, approved encryption protocols to ensure proper security and privacy. But for P2P VPNs, the standard of encryption largely depends on how well the system was designed by its developers.
Some of the encryption methods may not even be properly tested by cybersecurity experts so you can’t be certain that you’re getting industry-standard encryption when you use a P2P VPN.
Customer Support Isn’t Available
When you use a traditional VPN, your service provider will offer customer support to help you if things go wrong. Whether your IP is leaked or your account is compromised, they can usually take swift action to resolve it.
With P2P VPNs, you are entirely on your own. There is no team or company who can take responsibility for issues.
Should You Use A P2P VPN For File Sharing?
While this type of VPN sounds great on paper, it’s a bit different in practice. Specifically for file sharing, it’s still a bit too risky given that this technology is still very young and unregulated. Security protocols and trust can definitely be developed over time and in the future, it could very well be a safe option.
Until then, there is no guarantee that your IP address won’t be misused and you have zero control over who routes their data through your devices.
For now, a paid VPN is is ideal for safe and secure file sharing especially if the service provider has a no-logs policy and strong encryptions.
