Are VPNs Safe? Things Every VPN User Needs to Know

Last Updated on June 30, 2024 by Editorial

Everyone who uses virtual private networks for the first time usually has one question–are VPNs safe? The short answer is yes! VPNs are safe to use and are a great way of protecting your online activity from unauthorized surveillance and even hackers when using unsecured public WiFi networks.

But those are not the only benefits of VPNs. In this article, I’ll explain how VPNs work regarding user privacy and security and the key features that make all that possible.

Furthermore, I’ll look at the factors that influence a VPN’s ability to keep you safe and the potential limitations and risks of relying too much on VPNs. Additionally, I’ll touch on things that may make a VPN vulnerable so you can know how to avoid that.

If you’ve been curious to know how reliable VPNs are, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to the end to find out more.

Understanding VPN Security

When you connect to a VPN, it protects your privacy by encrypting your data and rerouting it through its servers before sending it to the intended destination. Your data is scrambled to the point that anyone attempting to access it will not glean any meaningful information.

Some key ways that VPNs work include:

• Encryption: When you connect to a VPN, the VPN client on your device encrypts all the data you send and receive. This converts your data into an unreadable format, preventing unauthorized access and digital eavesdropping.

• Tunneling: A VPN encloses your data within a secure tunnel which shields it from interception by encrypting and routing it through the VPN server. This tunnel acts as a protective barrier against potential threats on the Internet.

• IP Address Masking: This process disguises your real IP address by assigning it an IP address associated with the VPN server, making it difficult for websites or online services to identify your location or track your online activities.

• VPN Server: The VPN server acts as an intermediary between your device and the Internet by encrypting your data, assigning you a new IP address, and then sending your requests to the Internet on your behalf through a server located in a different location or country.

• Secure Internet Access: Using a VPN ensures your security even if you’re using public Wi-Fi. Your processed requests are encrypted, and the responses are returned to your device through the secure tunnel. This way, any of your data is rendered illegible if someone tries to intercept it on a public network.

• Bypassing Restrictions: VPNs allow you to bypass geographic restrictions or censorship imposed by governments, organizations, or websites. When you connect to a VPN server located in a different country, you can appear as if you’re accessing the internet from that location, granting you access to content or services that may be blocked or limited in your actual location.

What Makes VPNs Safe?

In this section, we will look at some of the key factors that make VPNs safe to use:

• No-Logs Policy: A strictly no-logs policy makes a VPN safe. You maintain your anonymity since none of your user activity data is collected or stored, and therefore, even when compelled by authorities, there is minimal or no user data to hand over. A no-log VPN is vital if you care about privacy because it means that no one, not even your VPN provider, can access any of your online activity. A VPN with a no-logs policy won’t collect private details such as browsing history, IP address, session information, timestamps, or network traffic

• Secure Protocols: The most secure and best VPN protocols are WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN. These three protocols ensure top-notch VPN security in different ways.

• Kill-Switch: When you experience a faulty connection or a disruption in your network, a safety feature of a good VPN is to disconnect you from the internet. This way, your sensitive data, such as your IP address, is not broadcast to prying eyes even if the VPN fails.

• Jurisdiction and Legal Considerations: A safe VPN is based in a country with strong user privacy laws. VPNs have to abide by local law. Some countries have strict data retention laws; thus, the implication of this is that a VPN service provider being domiciled in such countries might be forced to collect and share user data with law enforcement on occasion.

• RAM-only Servers: A safe VPN runs on RAM memory – also called volatile memory. This ensures that all information going through a VPN Server is automatically deleted once a server is switched off. That way, no data can be obtained from the servers.

• Paid Subscription: Paid VPNs are safe, secure, and reliable, providing some extra features that scale their usability. While a free VPN may look cheaper, it risks exposing you to ads that furnish your data to hackers and ad brokers.

Encryption Protocols Used by VPNs

An encryption protocol is a set of rules that must be followed to build or join a VPN. 

Here are some of the most widely used VPN encryption protocols:

• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a highly regarded open-source VPN renowned for its security and flexibility. It is appealing because it uses the OpenSSL library, which enables OpenVPN to accommodate various encryption algorithms, solidifies its reputation for robust security measures, and is widely compatible with different platforms.

• SSL/TLS: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are widely used for creating a secure connection between your device and the VPN server. SSL/TLS uses asymmetric encryption and symmetric encryption to establish a secure session and encrypt the data transmitted through the tunnel.

• PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is one of the earliest VPN protocols. While this protocol offers relatively fast speeds, it does have some security limitations and is not recommended for sensitive data transmission.

• IPsec (Internet Protocol Security): IPsec is a suite of protocols used to provide encryption, authentication, and integrity checks for VPN connections. IPsec is appealing because of its strong encryption algorithms and authentication methods, making it suitable for remote access VPNs.

• L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec): This protocol combines the best features of PPTP and IPSec. This protocol provides a secure tunnel for VPN connections and strong encryption and authentication. While this protocol offers good compatibility, it may not be as secure against advanced threats as some other protocols.

The choice of encryption protocol may depend on the VPN provider and the specific VPN client or device you use. Some VPN protocols aren’t as safe as you would want them to be. It’s recommended that a provider uses stronger encryptions such as  AES-256, which is the most advanced and robust.

Risks and Limitations of VPNS

It’s essential to know the potential risks and limitations of using VPNs. Here are some considerations:

• Server Reliability: Some providers may have congested servers, which causes slower connections and intermittent service. Always go for a reliable VPN provider with a robust server infrastructure and many server locations.

• Jurisdictional Considerations: The legal jurisdiction in which a VPN operates can significantly impact its effectiveness in safeguarding your privacy. While VPNs are legal in most jurisdictions, some countries ban or heavily regulate VPN use. Understanding and complying with a VPN provider’s jurisdiction and the data protection laws it adheres to is crucial.

• Logging Policies: Not all providers fully commit to user privacy. Some VPNs might retain data like connection logs, IP addresses, and connection timestamps, potentially compromising the anonymity and privacy they claim to protect.

• Performance and Speed Limitations: The encryption and routing processes can reduce internet speeds. This reduction can be more noticeable when connecting to servers far from your physical location. Consider selecting reputable VPN providers with servers that are geographically closer to your location and that offer fast server connections for improved performance.

• Malware and security risks: While VPNs can enhance security, they do not protect against other online threats, such as malware or phishing attacks. As a user, you need to maintain up-to-date antivirus software and practice safe browsing habits to reduce the chances of these risks.

• Information Leaks: VPN connections can occasionally drop or become unstable, especially when switching between networks or during periods of high network congestion. This can temporarily expose your real IP address and online activities. Choose a provider that features a kill switch to help mitigate this risk.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN Provider

Using the right VPN service will impact your whole user experience. Here are a few important factors you’ll want to look out for in a safe VPN provider:

• State-of-the-art encryption: Security is the most integral feature of any VPN, so you should look for a provider that uses the latest industry-leading encryption technology, such as AES-256 and OpenVPN.

• Zero-log policy: A trustworthy VPN provider should have a strict no-logs policy and offer transparency in handling user privacy.

• Trustworthy VPN Provider: Look for reputable VPN services with a strong track record for privacy, security, and responsive customer service. You should also read reviews from other users to get a better perspective.

• Server Locations and Availability: The more server locations, the greater flexibility and better connection speeds you get to experience. Find a VPN provider with servers in locations relevant to your needs.

• Reliability: Check for a VPN that offers both speed and performance. A fast and reliable server connection minimizes the impact on your internet speed, offering an enjoyable experience.

Conclusion

VPNs are a must-have because they grant so many benefits to everyday users through enhancing security, safeguarding our privacy, and bypassing online restrictions, which allows you to browse the Internet more securely.

Choosing a reputable provider, understanding their policies and regulations, and responsibly using VPNs will make your online presence enjoyable.