Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been increasing in popularity in recent years, with millions of people relying on them to improve online privacy and security. However, like any other technology, scams exist in the VPN space too.
Scams come in various forms, yet their main goal is the same: to deceive, exploit, or steal from individuals. As the VPN market continues to expand at a rapid pace, scammers are becoming more determined to profit from it.
If you want to avoid losing your hard-earned money and facing unnecessary risks, it is important to educate yourself about deceptive VPN scams and take proactive steps to protect yourself.
8 most common VPN scams to look out for
We will explore some of the most prevalent VPN scams employed by malicious actors in 2024 below:
1. Lifetime VPN deals
You might come across VPNs offering lifetime subscriptions for a one-time fee. While lifetime VPNs might sound appealing, the truth is they are too good to be true and often fall short of their claims. Maintaining a network of fast and secure VPN servers worldwide requires ongoing resources and revenue.
Furthermore, developing and improving the product, maintaining the VPN network, implementing new security features, and providing comprehensive user support all come with substantial costs. Subscribing to a lifetime VPN does nothing besides putting both your sensitive information and your money at risk.
You will not get the protection you desire as the software tends to slow down and leak data after a few months of use. Also, did you know that your lifetime VPN service could vanish into thin air at any moment? That is because lifetime subscriptions typically refer to the lifetime of the company instead of your lifetime.
2. Fake reviews and testimonials
If you find a relatively new VPN that you have not heard about before and notice countless glowing reviews and testimonials on app stores, social media, or the VPN website itself, do not fall for it. These VPN reviews and testimonials are usually fake and published by the VPN provider itself in an effort to promote their supposedly excellent service.
False reviews and testimonials are designed to trick people into believing that a VPN provider is reputable and offers the most reliable service when, in fact, it is otherwise. They seek to alter user perceptions and are nothing more than a marketing ploy, which makes distinguishing between genuine and untrustworthy VPN services more difficult.
3. Fake VPN apps
Fake VPNs are worse than free VPNs. They lure consumers with attractive and authentic-looking websites, gaining their trust quickly. However, soon they find out that either there is no VPN software to download or the VPN is malicious.
If you become a victim of such a scam, you expose yourself to significant risks. Fake VPNs infiltrate your device, collecting sensitive data that scammers exploit for financial gain. They may also inject malware, enabling others to exploit your internet bandwidth without permission.
Fake VPNs guarantee foolproof anonymity and best-in-class protection, but deliver nothing in reality and take your money and disappear. These companies have no VPN service, display dubious privacy policies, and provide no customer support that you can ask for a refund.
Did you know that security firm Avast uncovered fake iPhone VPN apps that not only overcharged users but also failed to provide the services they claim?
4. VPNs that request excessive information
If a VPN provider is asking you to provide too much information (like social security number, phone number, or home address) during the signup process, back off right away. Legitimate VPNs only require your email address and credit card details and even offer anonymous payment methods like cryptocurrency.
Therefore, steer clear of VPNs that collect excessive personal information upon registration. Remember, one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your data is by refraining from sharing it unnecessarily, even when using VPN services.
5. Free VPN services
While many VPN providers offer free services, some of them might have ulterior motives. Free VPNs are among the most prevalent VPN scams, where providers may log and sell your data, track your online activity, and offer subpar functionality.
One must remember that companies need revenue to sustain their products. If you are not paying for the VPN directly, it will rely on alternative ways to generate income, even if it comes at your expense.
For example, data collection is the primary business model for most free VPNs. They may log your data and sell it to advertisers and other third parties, resulting in targeted ads and spam. Many free VPNs also inject malware and spyware into users’ devices, allowing them to monitor their online activities.
That is not all, though. The vast majority of free VPNs usually lack robust safety and security measures, leaving your data unencrypted and vulnerable to attacks. To safeguard your sensitive data, avoid purchasing free VPN services from obscure websites.
Instead, try PureVPN risk-free with a 31-day money-back guarantee for a reliable and secure VPN experience. If you are not satisfied with our service, you can ask our customer support team for a refund!
Find out why paid VPNs like PureVPN are better than free VPN services.
6. Dubious no-log policies
VPN providers often market themselves as “no-log VPNs”, but distinguishing between legitimate and fake claims can be challenging. To avoid falling victim to a VPN scam, carefully go through the fine print and service contract and look out for any sketchy statements that may expose fraudulent practices.
If you take a closer look at the privacy policy of a fake VPN, you will find that it actually logs information such as your online activity, IP address, and more when connected to their server. This completely undermines the purpose of using a VPN.
However, if you come across anything on a VPN website mentioning data collection, do not be discouraged. In the fine print, it may clarify that only statistical information necessary for service improvement is logged, which has no relation to user traffic.
Did you know that PureVPN is the first no-log VPN with an always-on audit structure?
7. Unsecure VPNs
The easiest way to determine whether a VPN service is secure or not is by checking out the VPN protocols it offers as well as the encryption used on their website.
If the VPN website uses HTTP, it raises a red flag. HTTPS encrypts your data, while HTTP exposes the information you provide to threats like eavesdropping. If a VPN website is insecure despite claiming to prioritize security, it raises doubts about the authenticity of their service.
VPN protocols play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and speed of your online communications, so it is important to review the VPN provider’s supported protocols. Legitimate VPNs should offer secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec.
Find out more about PureVPN’s quantum-resistant encryption keys, a first in the VPN industry.
8. Cracked VPNs
A cracked VPN refers to accounts or software sold with the promise of free or significantly cheaper premium services compared to what the official VPN website offers. These resellers may have obtained the cracked VPN accounts illegally by stealing them from legitimate users who have paid for their subscriptions.
While the accounts may appear genuine, they already belong to someone else, rendering them unsafe, illegal, and unethical to use. To get your hands on a cracked VPN, you typically need to download an unverified file or click on a link in a forum thread, which can expose your data to risks and potentially compromise your system.
Using a cracked VPN is worse than not using one at all because it will not provide the expected protection or privacy, and instead, it poses a significant risk of leaking sensitive data. You are better off getting a subscription from official VPN websites as you are covered by a money-back guarantee.
Is PureVPN legit?
With over 3 million users, PureVPN is one of the most reliable and trustworthy VPN services with an intense focus on user privacy and security. It uses robust encryption protocols, offers a proven no-logs policy, and comes with must-have features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and obfuscation.
PureVPN’s massive network of 6,500 servers in 70 countries allows users to circumvent geo-restrictions and access content from all over the world while remaining anonymous and private. Furthermore, with speeds of up to 20 Gbps, you never have to worry about any slowdowns when streaming or downloading.
Ways to keep yourself safe from VPN scams
Now that you know about the most popular VPN scams, here are some methods to protect yourself from them:
- Don’t ever provide extra information: Avoid VPNs that collect unnecessary personal information, especially your home address, phone number, or Social Security number. You should be asked to provide as little personal information as possible during registration. Choose reliable VPN services with clear privacy policies and no-logs policies.
- Review the privacy policy: Research thoroughly before purchasing a VPN subscription. Check their privacy policies for any contradictions to the claims made on the website. Trustworthy VPNs are transparent in what data they collect and do not collect when using their VPN service.
- Never invest in lifetime VPN service: Lifetime VPN subscriptions frequently generate concerns about the service’s long-term viability. A VPN provider offering lifetime subscriptions is unlikely to be able to deliver these services indefinitely without sacrificing quality or engaging in unethical practices.
- Don’t go for a free VPN service: Using a free VPN (as appealing as it may be) comes with many downsides. These services frequently endanger your privacy, have limited server options, and indulge in dubious data collection practices. Consider investing in a premium VPN for dependable and secure experience.
Frequently asked questions
Do VPNs steal your information?
If you are using a reputable VPN like PureVPN, you do not have to worry about your information getting stolen. However, the same cannot be said about free VPNs as they collect your information and sell it to third parties without your knowledge, effectively defeating the purpose of using a VPN. One must do their due diligence before signing up with any VPN provider.
Is VPN a scam?
No, VPN as a technology is not a scam. However, there are instances where unscrupulous practices by certain VPN services have tainted the reputation and performance of genuine providers. It is vital to differentiate between trustworthy VPN services and fraudulent ones.
Hunain Muhammad
January 1, 2024
4 months ago
