The more advanced we develop the technologies, we always look for the best and quickest versions to access everything. If we consider our demand and dependency on internet connectivity and browsing in 2021, VPNs have been a boon to many. But are they all safe as their vendor’s state, or are they really a fraud like many users complain? If you have come across the countless pros and cons of famous VPN connections, check ahead some of the facts that were myths to date, but not anymore.
Table of Contents
1. VPNs are only for illegal web surfing
It’s probably the biggest myth or rather defamation we often come across. Indeed, the VPN’s anonymity is popularly used for illegal gambling or downloading restricted torrents but, in fact, doesn’t solely limit to them. If you approach secured and legitimate VPN vendors, you can still utilize the connection for private and legal web browsing.
People fearing identity thefts on interactive websites or those wishing to access any public database for inspection can use the masked connections for security. It is even beneficial when you are professionally traveling overseas and fear data breaches and hacking when connected to any public Wi-Fi.
Thus, generalizing the usage, VPNs are now applicable wherever you wish to browse the web with complete security.
2. Data bandwidth limits to your phone’s data
VPN is not a service provider but a masking protocol to hide your device addresses. While you connect through any VPN, free or paid, you would still use your phone’s data. Though the vendors promise you a lightning speed for connectivity, the bandwidth is often limited to your device, and you won’t be able to use it once it exhausts.
Debunking this fact, many modern free VPN providers like https://www.urban-vpn.com/ promise vast and unlimited data at a splendid speed. Actually, in the background, unlimited data refers to crossing the soft cap applied to your mobile’s data package.
Unlike the browsing speed that drastically gets low when you cross the hard cap data limit, VPN can ensure the same high speed since your mobile network service provider won’t perceive your presence and usage of the network. It is due to the simple fact that your credentials are now encrypted, and your device is passively using the remaining data package.
3. A VPN ensures complete anonymity
VPNs assure to mask your complete details, but you never go entirely unrecorded anywhere. Even if your IP and MAC addresses are hidden from the websites, your original details are still intact with your VPN provider.
Generally, vendors store your details for a short period before refreshing their logs, but you can’t guarantee complete security. If your provider is a free service, or you don’t have the proof of their authenticity, your details certainly have the threat of hacking attacks and loss.
Thus, if you have a secured and paid subscription, check the site’s privacy policy for data recorded and the duration it is stored.
4. You can’t possibly connect to every website
The most common reason we choose VPNs is the versatile accessibility they promise. But, to date, many users have complained about the inability to find their countries in which the particular VPN services are available, or they weren’t able to connect to every site on the internet.
Though the former case still exists as many countries have a ban on VPN usage under illegal web surfing, the latter has been resolved. These days any legitimate and certified VPN service connects to any secured and unsecured site on the internet.
If you still fail to get through, upgrade your app and visit the connection settings to change network, TCP protocol, or clear old cache. These tips can refresh your connection to work seamlessly.
5. Kill switch ensures constant security
Kill switch works instantly whenever the network connection or bridge to VPN fails, saving you from the threat of exposure. However, in-built kill switches are of two types, active and passive, which you can locate in the features provided by VPN services.
Though both intend the same job, they work differently. A passive kill switch is spontaneous and bars every browser activity just as the connection fails. On the other hand, an active switch, or the one installed from a third-party app, first notifies the user and waits for the action.
Both situations have pros and cons, as sudden disconnection can fail the in-between uploads or downloads, leading to complete data loss. Or, a delayed action can easily make way to IP address leakage and exposure, which instantly gets recorded in the networking logs.
Thus, having a kill switch doesn’t ensure 100% data and device security every time.
Conclusion
VPN or virtual private networks are no longer the same as they were before. Compared to the past, the 2022’s near future promises several upgrades and also warns of various checkpoints.
With time and developments, the so-called myths are no longer valid statements as many are resolving positively. The discussed are a few important factors that can assist in choosing your free VPN or paid subscription to use the connections judiciously.
