Debunking Common VPN Misconceptions
Last year, we shared with you some of the most common VPN myths and misconceptions among online users. Because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic that has been affecting our lives since the start of this year, the use of VPNs has skyrocketed, making these useful tools a necessity for many people. But, with the further popularization of VPNs in 2020, there have also been many new VPN myth misbeliefs that arose in the privacy and security sphere. That’s why, in this Zlog post, we’ve decided to debunk 5 more VPN myths that are circulating the Internet.
VPN Myth #1 – VPNs are Illegal
Whenever the question of legality pops up at any point, it’s worth discussing in as many details as possible. This is because most VPN users are just regular people who want to protect themselves online or access restricted or region-locked sites. Of course, there will always be a few bad apples who are using VPNs to avoid surveillance while engaging in illegal activities, but tens of millions of other people have no ill intentions.
Although the myth of “VPNs being illegal” is still partially true, this is mainly because the censorship laws and regulations differ from country to country. Generally speaking, they aren’t illegal in most parts of the world. However, in authoritarian countries with heavy censorship, such as China, Russia, or Turkey, VPNs are indeed illegal. So, if you live in a country that you suspect might have a similar stance to VPNs as the previously-mentioned ones, it’s worth doing a bit more research on the topic before signing up with a VPN.
VPN Myth #2 – VPNs Are Complicated to Use
For years, VPNs have been associated only with tech-savvy users, geeks, and hackers. This has given this technology a bad reputation in the sense that it isn’t user-friendly and that you need to have a tech background to understand how they work and how to use them.
The truth is completely opposite to this. With a few clicks or taps on your phone, you can connect, switch between VPN servers, and tailor simple settings to make your experience more personalized.
Moreover, at ZoogVPN, we’ve created streamlined VPN apps that are easy to use, no matter what device you’re using them on. VPNs aren’t reserved only for tech-heads but are a great choice for every online user who wants to add extra layers to his online privacy and security.
VPN Myth #3 – VPNs Are Dying Out
Ever since the first VPN was created in 1996, people have been predicting its demise. In 2020 especially, with the rise of authoritarian systems and government surveillance, many people are dubbing VPNs as an obsolete and dying tool that can no longer effectively protect those who use them.
In actuality, the rise of online censorship and constant large-scale privacy breaches that have affected hundreds of millions of people worldwide, are just pushing the growth of VPNs and increasing their popularity with each passing year. The current VPN market is estimated at a little over $29 billion and is expected to grow up to $88 billion by 2027. At this rate, it’s safe to say that VPNs are here to stay.
VPN Myth #4 – A VPN Guarantees 100% Privacy
A VPN can be a useful ally for every user aiming to improve his online privacy and security. That said, it doesn’t offer complete protection for all possible situations and scenarios. For example, if you’re accessing a compromised site or giving out personal information to the site yourself, a VPN can’t do anything to minimize the damage.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that most VPNs don’t protect you from malware. This is why you should combine your VPN service with trusted and proven antivirus software. Combining these two will offer you near-complete privacy and security protection against most dangers present online.
VPN Myth #5 – Combining Tor and Proxies Is Better Than Using a VPN
VPN and proxies are often directly compared to one another, even though they function very differently. Proxies don’t actually encrypt your data, they only hide your IP address. In this sense, their use is very limited compared to what a VPN can do. So, that’s why you should combine a proxy with Tor, right? Well, not exactly.
Similarly to the previous myth, if you decide to go down this route, you should know that this option also doesn’t guarantee complete privacy. The biggest drawback of Tor is that it doesn’t hide the fact you’re using it. If anyone is watching on the other side, they’ll see you’re using Tor, which will make them automatically assume that you’re engaging in illegal activities.
As with anything you’re unsure about, it’s completely understandable to question how VPNs work and ask more about their legality and efficiency in protecting you. Knowing everything that a tool like this can do is essential for maximizing its usefulness.
That’s why, at ZoogVPN, we offer you a free data-limited VPN service you can use for an unlimited period before deciding if you want to opt for the full deal and get a subscription plan. Sign up with ZoogVPN for free and explore the unrestricted free Internet and secure your valuable personal information.
- Yaroslav S.CEO at ZoogVPN. Yaroslav is a versatile manager with extensive customer support experience. His historical background and a deep passion for philosophy perfectly complete a real desire to create meaningful content and tech products.
