Slow and uneconomical: the weaknesses of VPN services

VPN technology has become incredibly popular lately.

In addition to anonymity, with the help of such resources, you can visit sites and applications that are not available in certain countries. However, there is a downside to the coin – users notice a decrease in Internet speed and do not always associate this with the operation of VPN services. In our special material, we understand how to avoid negative consequences when using technology.

What is a VPN and how it works

VPN or Virtual Private Network translates as “virtual private network”. This is an encrypted connection to the Internet through remote servers, which are most often located far outside the user’s country.

The IP address of any device contains information about the location of users. A VPN connection masks your IP address, allowing you to stay anonymous online and avoid leaving your digital footprint. Simply put, it is a secure connection to a server located in another country.

In the past two years, encryption applications have experienced a surge in popularity, overtaking many other services in terms of downloads. A large number of Internet users in Russia use VPN. “VPN has become an integral part of the life of Russians. If earlier VPN was primarily a way to achieve anonymity, now it is increasingly being used to gain access to the desired resource,” notes Sergey Trukhachev, technical and information security specialist.

Decrease in speed and additional traffic: disadvantages of services

Anonymity on the network and access to a number of retired applications and services is the “front” side of the coin of VPN services, but not all users are aware of the existence of the “back” side.

Among the disadvantages of using the technology is a decrease in the speed of Internet access. The network can be up to 70% slower because VPN servers do not have enough bandwidth to, for example, show a movie in high definition.

In addition, services can increase user traffic consumption. For a number of telecom operators, traffic to social networks and popular instant messengers is not spent either automatically or when a special service is connected. With a VPN, such savings become impossible, since the service makes the user’s stay in social networks and instant messengers invisible to the telecom operator. As a result, users have to pay for the megabytes used while connected to the VPN.

Among the shortcomings of encrypted servers, experts also highlight the rapid consumption of the gadget’s battery. To avoid unnecessary expenses, as well as such unpleasant “side effects” as a decrease in the speed and quality of the connection, ultra-high charge consumption, experts do not recommend keeping the VPN turned on 24 hours a day. That is, the background work of the VPN application – when you are not using it – is better not to allow it.

Simple Rules for Safe Internet Use

Internet security experts warn that VPN services can be a source of malware and viruses. It is also not uncommon for millions of user databases of some VPN services to be published on the dark web, such as Gecko VPN, Super VPN and Chat VPN. It is important not to forget that the anonymity of data primarily depends on the owners themselves.

We publish general recommendations for users of the global web:

• do not install the first VPN service that comes across – spend time searching for a fresh selection from experts and opt for one of the recommended applications;
• it is not recommended to go through VPN to important resources like banking applications or the State Services website;

Sergey Trukhachev also advised users to always turn on critical thinking and ask themselves again every time they have doubts about a particular action on the network.

“Social engineering (psychological manipulation of people to perform certain actions or divulge confidential information – ed. note) and the inattention of the users themselves are the two main points used by modern cybercriminals,” the expert summed up.

A selection of VPN services

On the resource of the popular gadget and Internet technology blogger Wylsacom published July selection of high-quality VPN services. According to Wylsacom, the list of working VPNs relevant for July includes five services:

– AdGuard;

– VPN Bucks;

– VPN Belka (SquirrelVPN);

– Planet VPN;

– Wirevpn.

Each of them works at different speeds, some have free versions and trial periods. Prices vary and are suitable for any wallet depending on the selected service package and the amount of data.