Hello folks,
Here at the JRN, we know that people are learning. There’s lots of reasons to learn, maybe you just want to know what’s out there. Maybe you found this podcast and you’ve found it of interest.
Regardless, We’re trying to improve and we noticed that the raw code is in the show notes, and not full links. We’ll learn too as we figure out how to fix it.
This brings me to our topic of today’s post which talks about VPN services.
We’ve got two of them on our resources page of Email Host Security.
As part of this week’s update, we’ll also have a blog entry on the articles section which we’ll be talking about here.
The article is titled The danger of free VPNs and there are some points that I could probably spin off of in my own words instead of copying Kim’s.
Remember when we did the research on IOS VPN’s just to see what was out there?
What about the article I found about Android VPN services?
Now, Kim has a great article which is linked above that really dives in to why running a free VPN is such a bad idea.
I don’t think Kim has heard the podcast, so the JRN calls free VPN services virtual public networks, not private networks.
I would read the list of Android VPN apps that must go because they should. They’re part of the problem.
We know that VPN usage will be going up, because we know that its a matter of time before the U.S. makes a decision on TikTok and we know that banning the app is not going to be easy. This is because VPN software, if used correctly, can make it so you come from somewhere where TikTok is not banned.
But let’s remember, besides the two mentioned VPN programs out there, there are tons out there, its who you trust that counts. Kim recommends express and I’ve used them and have a subscription thanks to someone writing about them. While that post isn’t here anymore, we mise well talk about the 21 million that were exposed from their VPN too,
right?
Terry has looked at Nord, and he now says they have monthly pricing but no free trial.
But let’s really get in to why we will never recommend any of the free apps just like Kim.
Reason No. 1: They put you at risk
Kim writes that using a free VPN is like exercising while eating Ice Cream. This analogy is to say that you shouldn’t rely on a free VPN that just uses you, the product in exchange for what you might perceive as secure and working. Free VPN services may end up like data brokers, selling your information and habits to the highest bidder. We know that its legal, and sadly, nothing can really be done about it worldwide.
Reason No. 2: They aren’t very secure
As sated, if you are using any of the ones in the Andoid list we linked to or the IOS list you find on your own, you open yourself up to bunches of stuff including malware and potential issues that you may not want to be in. What you think is secure may be on a single server that doesn’t have adequit security. Remember the open letter I read that didn’t mention any company name? Yes, true story and none not to hopefully happen again.
Don’t think that all VPNs invade your privacy, though
Premium VPN services may do everything required, but express makes sure that nothing is logged of your activity. Nord does the same thing. Can you say anything about your VPN?
If you’re not using any of these, what are you using and what do you know about them?