VPN security: Are VPNs safe and secure? (2024)

FAQs

VPN security: Are VPNs safe and secure? ›

A VPN may boast strong protocols and military-grade encryption, but that doesn't mean it's infallible. It can't prevent cookie tracking, viruses, or malware, and it can't protect against phishing scams. Data leaks could occur. But most pivotally, a VPN is only as secure as the company that runs it.

Using a reliable virtual private network (VPN) can be a safe way to browse the internet. VPN security can protect from IP and encrypt internet history and is increasingly being used to prevent snooping on by government agencies. However, VPNs won't be able to keep you safe in all scenarios.

VPNs Can't Enforce Authentication Policies

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting teams that use VPNs. Cybercriminals use VPN bugs to infiltrate a network, or target team members for their VPN credentials through phishing attempts.

VPNs are generally safe for transmitting data over the internet but aren't 100% secure. A VPN doesn't constitute a complete cybersecurity strategy.

We strongly recommend using a good VPN for everyday use as well as for work, particularly if your work involves handling sensitive information. The best VPNs deliver a strong level of privacy protection without compromising on performance, particularly internet speeds.

Like all software, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are frequently targeted by hackers. And while industry leaders have made their protection nearly impossible to crack, some smaller VPN providers have vulnerabilities that lead to millions of user records being exposed every year.

While they will protect your IP and encrypt your internet history, but that is as much as they can do. They won't keep you safe, for instance, if you visit phishing websites or download compromised files. When you use a VPN, you are still at risk of: Trojans.

While people sometimes use VPNs to bypass geo restrictions or for malicious deeds, some websites block access if a user's VPN is on. In such cases, disabling a VPN might be necessary. Avoiding software conflicts. Some applications or services, such as online games or streaming services, may clash with a VPN.

VPNs are not designed to protect your device from malware, viruses or other cyber threats. They secure your data transmission and mask your online identity, but they don't have the ability to scan or block malicious software. Therefore, it's essential to use additional security measures alongside a VPN.

What is safer than a VPN? ›

One of the best alternatives to a VPN is a proxy server. A proxy server acts as a gateway that sits between a user's device and the internet. The user can activate the server in their web browser and proceed to reroute their traffic through it. This helps to hide their IP address from any web servers that they visit.

OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol and the safest choice thanks to its near-unbreakable encryption, which keeps users' data private even when using public Wi-Fi. Because it's open source, users can check the source code for vulnerabilities and reassure themselves that there are no weaknesses in its security.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your VPN program doesn't contain any malware: Choose a secure VPN. Check your VPN provider's reputation before purchasing a service. Read some reviews and comments, and check its privacy policy, no-logs policy, and encryption methods to ensure the VPN is trustworthy.

Slower connection

The encryption process and routing your traffic through remote servers can slow down your internet connection. However, premium VPN services usually have fast protocols and a powerful infrastructure that make the speed drop barely noticeable.

VPNs can be useful, but they're not necessary for every person or every situation, especially now that so much web traffic is encrypted using HTTPS, the secure protocol whose initials you see at the start of most web addresses.

Using a reputable VPN provider like NordVPN won't cause you any problems – but some shady VPNs actually engage in data logging practices and will happily sell your data to other companies, while others don't secure their networks and leave their users exposed to threat actors. VPNs do not make you invincible.

Not all VPN providers are equal.

Using a reputable VPN provider like NordVPN won't cause you any problems – but some shady VPNs actually engage in data logging practices and will happily sell your data to other companies, while others don't secure their networks and leave their users exposed to threat actors.

OpenVPN and NordLynx

NordVPN offers two of the fastest, most reliable, and most secure VPN protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard in the form of NordLynx. Here's a quick comparison, and for a more in-depth look, here's our comparison of the top VPN protocols. NordVPN worked well with OpenVPN and NordLynx.

If you've ever tried to use a free VPN you've probably noticed it didn't work very well (more than two-thirds of free VPN users report performance issues). Free VPNs are highly ineffective at bypassing content restrictions, but they also often expose users to privacy and security risks they're meant to protect against.