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Free VPN risk: Check this list of 9 infected apps
I’m cheap and try to save a buck wherever I can. I use all my credit card perks, always click the coupon boxes on Amazon, and, to my husband’s great annoyance, cancel streaming services the minute we stop watching them.
There’s one place where free will harm you: Your online privacy and security. Let’s take a deeper look at what happens if you trust the freebies, sponsored by the virtual private network (VPN) I’ve used for years.
The numbers paint a scary picture
One of the main benefits of a VPN is anonymity. With the click of a button, you can cloak your browsing history and pretend you’re somewhere else in the world.
Use a free VPN, though, and you’re essentially agreeing to some kind of shady behavior. At best, the app that promises to keep your online activity “private” is selling it off to anyone willing to pay. At worst, it’s a front for malware that steals everything from your bank login to your phone contacts.
👉 It’s not just a few sketchy VPN apps, either. Data shows about 80% of free VPNs embed tracking features and 60% sell data to third parties. Free Android VPNs are an especially big target, with an estimated 39% hiding malware.
Use one of these? Get it off your phone
Some free VPNs are built primarily to serve malware. Others become infected when hackers target them. Either way, it’s bad news for you.
- MaskVPN, DewVPN, PaladinVPN, ProxyGate, ShieldVPN and ShineVPN: All infected with the same strain of malware that compromised 19 million IP addresses in 190 countries.
- Big Mama VPN: It’s just a front for selling access to your home internet and network.
- LetsVPN: A target for hackers using SEO poisoning and phishing to lead people to fake download pages. It’s a dangerous option to search for right now.
- Connect Secure VPN: This is another hacker target, and it’s actively spreading malware.
When it comes to a VPN, it’s all about trust
I’ve tried so many VPNs over the years and ditched most after a few days. My pick, ExpressVPN, won’t slow you down, and it’s so easy to use.
ExpressVPN encrypts your online activity so no one — not even your ISP — can see which sites you visit or what apps you use. It’s a must if you’re using public Wi-Fi, and it masks your IP address to prevent tracking.
With a VPN, you can also unlock geo-restricted shows and movies on your favorite streaming platforms, change your location for shopping sites that charge more to ship to some areas, and prevent your ISP from throttling your internet speed.
I chose ExpressVPN because it …
- Keeps your activity private: It masks your identity by routing your connection through a secure server. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries.
- Encrypts your data: Nobody can peek into your personal info.
- Simple to use: Open the app, tap one button and you’re protected.
- Works on all your devices: ExpressVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, routers, TVs and more. You can connect up to eight devices to one account.
- 24-hour live chat support: Real humans are available 24/7 to help you with setup and troubleshooting.
Even better? There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy, there’s no risk.
✅ I want you to stay safe, so I negotiated a special deal just for you. Go to ExpressVPN.com/kim and get an extra four months FREE when you sign up for a one-year plan.
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