Before You Install That VPN, Read This!

Following the Twitter ban by the Federal Government of Nigeria, more and more people are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as a way of circumventing the order and go about their ‘tweeting’ business. In fact, recent figures from Google Trends showed more than a 100% increase in VPN-related searches coming from Nigeria. 

For less tech-savvy folks, a VPN simply put, is a service that protects your internet connection and online privacy. It creates an encrypted tunnel for your data which shields your online identity by hiding your IP (Internet Protocol) address. It also allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely. The feature can be found under the ‘Wireless & Network’ setting of most Android smartphones.

Why Do People Use VPN Services?

Generally speaking, there are two reasons why people use VPNs. The first reason is to give themselves more privacy and hide their identity when browsing online. In this case, the VPN is used over a less secure network such as a public or Wi-Fi access point. Hackers can easily gain access to users’ personal data through these networks, and a VPN protects against such intrusion. 

The second reason people use VPNs is to get around geographic-based blocking and censorship of certain platforms or websites. The VPN acts as a firewall, hiding the user’s browser history, location, IP address, and the device used. Anyone on the same network will not be able to see what the user is doing. This makes it a valuable tool for journalists and activists in censored regions.

Why You Should Proceed With Caution

Although using a VPN has its many benefits, there is a need for you (especially if you are a first-time user) to be aware of certain downsides to using a VPN service. This will help decide if the pros outweigh the cons before going on to install it. 

• It might make your Internet speed slower

When you use a VPN connection, you access the internet through the VPN provider instead of a direct connection. This encrypts your data and protects it from unwanted snooping. 

However, it also implies that the data become more complex and ‘weighty. If the VPN provider you are using is not powerful enough, your internet speed may become considerably slower. It becomes more obvious when you need high-speed for activities such as downloading or streaming a large data file. 

• You may experience some performance issues

Closely related to the first, some VPNs take a longer time to contact the private servers. This in turn might result in a longer load-time when you want to access a network. This issue is particularly common with free VPN services. 

• You may have to pay more to get value out of it 

Ideally, VPNs are paid/premium services with a different cost from your regular network connection. Although there are free VPNs, they are quite limited and are not exactly reliable (which demo product isn’t?)

To get the best out of the service, you need to purchase a plan and may need additional router hardware. In the long term, it may be an unnecessary added cost, particularly if you are an average/regular internet user. 

• It doesn’t guarantee 100% anonymity 

Ironical, isn’t it? But true. Some private network services allow you to use their private servers for free, in exchange for your data. This is not explicitly stated, but you can be sure a clause somewhere in the T&Cs covers it. As usual, it’s just business and while they may hide your IP address, they can still track your activities for their own purposes.

Also, there are instances where the provider may agree, under legal bounds, to provide your government with your data. This might seem extreme (for terrorists) but it does not invalidate the possibility of it happening. 

Without a doubt, VPNs are a tangible solution to various privacy issues that are common on the internet today. However, ‘nothing goes for nothing, and free VPN services usually come with restrictions and limitations on load-speed and bandwidth usage.

In addition, a lot of them can still track your activities and may sell your data to cover the cost of the ‘free’ service you are enjoying. In many cases, the tradeoff is not worth the trouble.

To understand what you are agreeing to, take out time to read and understand the Terms & Conditions of any free VPN service before you click ‘Agree & Install’. If you are not comfortable with any of the terms, you can elect to pay a subscription fee for a premium service that guarantees greater security, privacy, and anonymity.