28 Biggest VPN Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

THE TAKEAWAYS

While VPNs have become more known among the masses today than ever before, people still often believe in numerous myths associated with them. The most common misconception is that VPNs are typically meant for more technical users or cybercriminals. Likewise, those who realize today’s internet privacy threats believe that VPNs can make them invisible online. However, both these concepts are, in fact, not true. Instead, a VPN is as much needed for a regular internet user like you as a tech-savvy user. And, it doesn’t guarantee 100% online anonymity. Similarly, there are many more misconceptions regarding VPNs that this article debunks once and for all.

With the evolution of technology, VPNs have developed many use cases, from accessing restricted content to preventing ISP throttling. However, many people still hesitate to use them because of common VPN myths, like decreased bandwidth, malware threats, etc.

But such things aren’t true!

Common VPN myths and misconceptions – Quick list

Running short on time? Here’s a quick list of common myths you must have heard (or believed) about Virtual Private Networks.

A VPN enables users to secure their internet connection through the server controlled and run by the service provider. It encrypts your data and ensures that the information you share with others remains private.

That’s how the tool protects you online in various circumstances. For instance, VPNs let you use public hotspots without worrying about your information getting leaked or hacked.

But what’s important to note is that not all VPN providers offer the same security features. Some are better and more secure than others. Some other providers simply guise themselves as VPNs while providing nothing worthy in effect.

That’s why so many misconceptions about VPN functionality, usefulness, and purposes have developed.

So, this post will walk you through the top myths regarding VPNs and their reality.

VPN myths and misconceptions

Below, you go with some of the biggest and the most common myths about using a VPN service debunked with facts.

1. VPN leads to an unstable internet connection

VPN encrypts your data by passing it through its servers before sending it to the destination.

This process could slow down your internet, as it takes time to encrypt information. However, it doesn’t cause an unstable or poor internet connection.

The change in internet speed is not even noticeable when using a fast VPN service. Plus, if you subscribe to a paid plan, rest assured you will get a fast and secure network.

In some cases, a VPN can even speed up your connection. Such circumstances include when an ISP is throttling your internet speed for specific internet traffic. For example, many ISPs worldwide throttle users’ speed when torrenting or streaming.

The internet speed also depends on the service provider and the country.

If you use a VPN on the other side of the world, you should expect low internet speed. However, it doesn’t happen in general. All it takes is to make sure you connect to a server close to your location.

So, a VPN does not cause an unstable network or poor internet connection. It’s just one of those myths that aim to defame VPN services.

2. I don’t need to pay for a VPN

You must have heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” Unfortunately, it applies to Virtual Private Networks, too; no dedicated VPN service is available for free.

Free VPN service providers do not tell you how they make money. While premium companies charge a premium fee, others, the free ones, earn by displaying ads.

Some cheap providers leak your information to third parties to make money.

If you don’t want to compromise your connection quality and security, consider choosing a paid VPN plan. Paying for a VPN service is worth it, as VPNs are safe. And, of course, you don’t have to worry about your budget as you can easily find many good VPN services cheaply.

Here are a few ways on how free VPNs make money:

Selling your information

Advertisers and brands need your information to grow their audience and offer personalized services. So, they are always up to pay for this private information. VPN companies can make money by selling this information to these brands. And they have been caught doing exactly that in the past.

The primary purpose of using a VPN is to protect your private information. There is no point in using a VPN when your information is intentionally leaked to third parties. It is better to pay a few bucks for a VPN than to lose your privacy.

Free VPN bombards you with ads

The ads that keep popping on your screen aren’t only annoying, but these are the advertiser’s tricks to sell their product or get you to their landing page. Of course, VPN companies get paid for displaying such ads.

Another essential thing to note is that the VPN service providers claiming to offer a free internet connection can trick you into paying for it. Usually, these are free trials that last only a couple of days.

Once the free trial or quota expires, the company asks you to pay for the product to enjoy the benefits. Therefore, as a precaution, you must pay special attention to the terms and conditions of the VPN before signing up.

3. VPN is only for tech-savvy users

“VPN is a complex technology that only tech geeks can understand.” Now, that’s another misconception frequently raised with common VPN mythologies to distract users from adopting this technology.

The complexity of a VPN depends on the service providers you choose. For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN, the best Virtual Private Networks, have clean and intuitive user interfaces that offer reliable services. You can also customize your plan and connection easily. Besides, they have qualified and trained assistants willing to provide support around the clock.

The VPN technology was developed with regular users in mind. You don’t have to research or learn the VPN fundamentals to get going if you select a good provider. Most importantly, you don’t need to know how it encrypts the data and how the VPN server transmits the information.

All you need to do is select the best plan. Once you have activated the VPN on your device, it will be up and running within a few seconds. Some VPNs are super simple to configure and use.

You don’t even need basic knowledge of this technology to start. As long as you have collaborated with the best VPN service providers, rest assured that the configuration will be super simple, forgetting all the myths.

4. VPN is for criminals

One of the common wrong concepts about VPN use cases is that it is for criminals and hackers.

Undeniably, many hackers and cybercriminals use VPN technology to access people’s personal information. However, they use it illegally. On the other hand, VPNs are meant to provide users with privacy lawfully.

People living in a state with no strict censorship laws think they don’t need a VPN. But they feel the need for it when traveling abroad.

That’s because a VPN enables users to prevent geo-blocks in certain regions. Once you cross the international boundaries of a state with strict censorship laws, you can no longer watch movies or videos online. Many censorship regulations can restrict online video calling services, as well. That’s when VPN services come in handy.

Besides, people have a habit of connecting to public Wi Fi. Hundreds of people connect their devices to the airport hotspots.

It sounds tempting to use public Wi Fi, especially when it isn’t protected with passwords. However, you can never be sure WiFi connections are 100% secure.

Surprisingly, anyone with basic IT knowledge can easily hack your smartphone and access important information, like passwords, banking details, and other sensitive data. But they predominantly fail when you protect your device’s IP address with a VPN.

In short, this technology is a must for entrepreneurs, journalists, and professionals who store sensitive data on their devices. VPN is also useful for students studying abroad (especially in a state with strict censorship laws).

5. I don’t need a VPN, as I have nothing to hide

Many people living in repressive censorship states know the importance of Virtual Private Networks. So, they use this technology to hide their information from authorities.

That leads us to an important question. How will VPN be useful for law-abiding citizens who don’t want to hide anything from Internet Service Providers or the surveilling authorities in their country?

First, you must know that VPN isn’t only for privacy. It is a security tool that helps prevent hacking and protect your data from snoopers.

Cybercrimes are not uncommon these days. For example, hackers can even infiltrate your device and steal your private information using unsafe public Wi Fi. Therefore, a VPN is necessary for everyone who uses their smartphones and laptops for internet banking, sharing personal information, and storing sensitive data.

The technology boosts security and makes transferring information in encrypted form easier. So, even if you have to hide nothing from the government or local state authorities, you must use VPN services for privacy.

With the increasing cyber crimes, securing your network and information with a quality VPN is essential. That’s because there is no guarantee that the authorities or ISP will safely use your private information.

6. All VPNs are the same

It is yet another VPN misinformation. The primary function of the VPN servers is to make your IP address anonymous and your browsing history private.

That’s pretty much what most types of VPN service providers offer.

However, modern companies have started to add more features to the package.

If you sign up for the latest VPN plans, you will get malware protection, data encryption, and multiple connections. So, you only need to find the best VPN provider with a plan that works for you.

7. VPN is illegal

VPNs are not limited to watching censored content in states with strict censorship laws. Technology is essential for your privacy and security.

If you use a VPN to access illegal content otherwise censored in your country, this technology might be considered illegal.

However, that’s only for people who want to access the apps and websites restricted in a particular country.

VPN, in general, is considered legal and safe. This technology’s main application is to protect your information and provide a secure and reliable connection.

Many people falsely believe that VPNs are only used by criminals and hackers to hide their crimes and other illegal activities from the government. However, VPNs serve a lot more privacy purposes. Hundreds of thousands of people buy a VPN plan to browse websites, download apps, and share information safely.

8. VPNs suffice for online privacy and security

Although, many advanced VPNs offer additional features like parental controls, ad and malware blockers, and anti-tracking add-ons. However, they typically lack the specific technology to protect you against sophisticated malware infections, data breaches, and other cyber threats due to human error. So, you will still need to maintain your antivirus, firewall, and other essential security solutions while using a VPN.

9. VPN can keep me 100% anonymous

As explained, VPN service providers do everything they can to keep your identity anonymous. But they cannot guarantee 100% protection. Security breaches are not unusual.

Even if you combine VPN services with other security protocols, hackers can still infiltrate your device and steal your private information.

However, it needs tech geeks and professional hackers to access a device secured with VPN servers.

The following are the conditions when the VPN might not offer 100% security.

If you use a compromised service: You must be extra careful when using unsecured websites and apps. VPNs can restrict hackers from accessing your data. However, if you use web services that don’t have high-security protocols, VPNs can’t help protect your information.
It may not protect your device from social engineering: Scams are designed to bypass all kinds of security measures on your device. If you let these scammers access your phone, a VPN can’t protect your data. These malicious links and data can easily bypass the firewall and antivirus software.
VPN doesn’t protect your data if you share it intentionally: Facebook, Google, social media, and eCommerce platforms require registering an account using your personal information. No security tool can protect the data you have shared with your consent. You must avoid apps that look unsafe.
VPNs may or may not protect your device from malware: Most hackers use malicious links to access your system. They can also send a file or unsafe message through email. There isn’t much a VPN can do to protect your system if the hacker gets access through malicious links. However, some VPN service providers, such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, can block apps, software, and websites containing malware or other viruses. Consider combining ExpressVPN with the best antivirus software for the best protection.

10. VPNs don’t collect data

Websites of most VPNs are plastered with no-logs claims, meaning they don’t retain any of your data. If they keep logs, anybody can see what you are up to online, including your ISP, government authorities, and hackers. Without the log records, a search for your information will be futile.

However, a VPN can’t have an utterly no-logs policy as the internet doesn’t work that way. In one way or another, your connection is recorded. Even the most robust VPNs will delete the logs immediately after they are made. So, although it isn’t entirely true, the ‘no-logs’ claim sounds suitable for marketing.

11. A proxy can offer the same benefits as a VPN

Many people use VPNs and proxies synonymously. However, they both offer different sets of functions.

Proxies can hide your IP address but cannot protect your data or encrypt private information.

Besides, proxies are pretty unsafe. Even if they provide online anonymity to the user, these services hardly offer a stable and good internet connection.

On the other hand, a VPN isn’t only safe but also does wonders regarding your privacy and security.

Once you have found a reliable VPN service provider, rest assured that the VPN server will encrypt your data and protect your system from unauthorized access.

12. I can use Tor instead of VPNs

Like proxies, people also frequently confuse Tor with VPNs, considering the two interchangeable. But again, this is merely an addition to the common VPN myths. In reality, the two are different, have different use cases, and are, thus, supposed to be used together.

Indeed, Tor works similarly to a VPN in that it hides your IP, reroutes your internet traffic through different nodes, and makes it difficult to trace.

However, what makes Tor different from VPNs is the core purpose it fulfills. Tor is meant to keep you anonymous, whereas VPNs protect your privacy.

For anonymity online, Tor applies different measures that ultimately affect your browsing experience. Unless you have blazing-fast base speed, you’ll be annoyed with the slow speed on the Tor browser.

Besides, you expose yourself to the risk of surveillance since governments often track Tor users to detect suspicious activities. So, you may inadvertently attract negative attention from the authorities by using this network.

Above all, using Tor is somewhat tricky for naïve users. Given that it’s the direct gateway to the dark web, you enter a world of notorious users who won’t mind preying on you. At this point, you need to ensure security, for which you should ideally use a VPN. But it also means you have to bear with a further decrease in browsing speed.

So, unless you are concerned about anonymity online or plan to use dark websites, the best approach is to use a VPN with your regular browsers. Or, for added safety, you can use secure browsers with a VPN.

13. VPNs don’t need directions

How VPNs are advertised and often advocated, many think of these tools as ” self-guided” or “fire-and-forget.” But unfortunately, it’s one of those myths about VPNs that affect users’ VPN experience!

Although you don’t have to keep meddling with the tool’s settings to make it work, you can’t leave it alone. That’s because you might frequently change your browsing habits and requirements, which would require your VPN to act differently.

For instance, when you have planned nothing else besides streaming your favorite Netflix series on the weekend, you can activate your VPN’s kill switch and keep streaming. But if you occasionally wish to access local news, you have to adjust the VPN settings to activate split tunneling and may have to turn off the kill switch.

Likewise, for businesses, full-tunnel VPNs may cause compliance issues or increased subscription charges if the employees use the VPN with organizational settings for personal browsing. So, here again, you need to adjust your VPN configurations.

14. VPNs are dying

Online privacy is a growing concern for all internet users nowadays as there has been an upsurge in government surveillance and internet censorship. Also, identity theft incidents have increased recently, which are usually triggered by tracing you online.

Interestingly, using a VPN largely addresses all such issues by masking your online identity, thus attracting more users every day. So, it is no surprise that VPN usage is rising globally and won’t stop anytime soon.

15. Zero-log VPNs never log any data

This is one of the most common statements VPN services use to market their products. However, VPNs consist of extensive server networks which continuously exchange data. While VPN servers do not record all the data, they often store data to improve and analyze the VPN infrastructures.

Zero-logging Virtual Private Networks collect only non-identifying data from users, such as email addresses and payment details. On the other hand, they refrain from collecting identifying data such as a specific account’s online activity, timestamps, and IP addresses.

Therefore, do not be tricked by the false no-logs policy. Understand that a trustworthy VPN cannot store your sensitive data, which can be used to trace you. Additionally, choose VPNs that are independently audited and verified to store non-identifying data.

16. VPNs can hide shady online activity

VPNs are very effective at maintaining user privacy and security. Some VPNs even enforce a strict no-logs policy, which ensures that your online activities cannot be traced back to you in the future. For this reason, there’s a perception that using a VPN can cover your tracks when engaging in illegal or questionable activities.

Also, VPNs use sophisticated technologies to filter out websites associated with illegal activities without actively monitoring and logging user data. Additionally, a common misconception is that a VPN is only used by people engaging in shady online activities, which is untrue.

The truth is a VPN is a privacy-enhancing tool. It prevents ISPs and authorities from monitoring your online activities but doesn’t permit you to do illegal activities online.

17. A VPN protects me from everything online

A VPN is not a foolproof or universal solution to your online problems. It is a powerful security and privacy tool, but you must combine it with other privacy strategies to ensure safety and privacy on the web. Below are examples of instances under which a VPN may not protect you.

Using a VPN as a substitute for an antivirus: An antivirus detects and removes malware and viruses from your device, and under no circumstances can a VPN substitute an antivirus. While a VPN is excellent at protecting your data and preventing hacking attempts, it cannot remove malware from your device.
A VPN cannot protect you in cases of oversharing: You must be careful with what you share online because it can be used to target you online or offline. You expose yourself when you share sensitive personal information, such as banking records, and even the most reputable VPN cannot save you.

Therefore, a VPN has its limitations, and you should always be cautious with your online activities to avoid falling into pits that even a VPN can’t save you from.

18. VPN reviews are unbiased & authentic

VPN companies reward big commissions to people and websites that bring in new customers. Most websites that review VPNs are on the payroll, too, generating leads while targeting commissions. Therefore, most reviews have a financial incentive and may not reflect the true aspects of a VPN.

Some companies even buy or start their own VPN review websites to give their products the best reviews and still generate more income by creating customers for other VPNs. Therefore, be wary of online reviews and conduct your own research to prove their claims.

Additionally, do not subscribe to a VPN that doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days. Within this period, you can test the VPN to determine whether the reviews are authentic and cancel your subscription if unsatisfied.

19. Only paranoid people use a VPN

A VPN can be used by anyone who wishes to have additional privacy and security when accessing the internet. Different people use VPNs for various reasons. Those living in countries with strict internet censorship laws, like China, can use a VPN to bypass censorship and access their favorite content. Others use a VPN to avoid target advertising, tracking, data collection, and hacking.

When traveling and you come across public Wi-Fi, the only safe way to use it is by connecting via a reliable VPN. Additionally, those who wish to access geo-restricted content must use a VPN to spoof their location. A VPN has many advantages, whether you are a tech geek or just a random user on an online adventure.

20. VPNs are being replaced with software-defined perimeter (SDP)

Before COVID-19, there were debates about how zero-trust networks and software-defined perimeter would replace VPNs in remote access strategies. However, as lockdowns ensued, there was an increase in demand for remote work connectivity, again making VPNs among the most sought software.

SPDs are still a work in progress and may replace VPNs in the future. They function standalone and supplement VPNs with intrusion detection/prevention systems and other perimeter security solutions. Today, a VPN is the most comprehensive online privacy tool, and the SPDs must wait.

21. IT teams always face difficulty scaling up VPNs

This misconception came from the legacy Virtual Private Networks. They were hardware-intensive and required a lot of resources to migrate, troubleshoot, and upgrade. In contrast, today, VPNs are only cloud-based, and you can download, install, and upgrade them anytime, anywhere in the world. Legacy VPNs required a vendor to ship hardware to the business premises for the IT teams to scale up VPNs, which was time-consuming.

The only challenge facing IT teams today is the lack of control over how remote employees use VPNs. Organizations cannot monitor employee performance and sometimes spend money and bandwidth.

22. VPNs always hinder UX

This misconception also comes from the legacy VPNs, which were highly unreliable and slow. The slow speeds affect how pages load; some interface features may fail to load correctly. The high latency also causes buffering and video lags, which can be frustrating when doing data-intensive activities like streaming, torrenting, or gaming.

The legacy VPN was hardware intensive and consisted of very few servers, leading to slow connections and poor user experience. However, modern VPNs use cloud-based software and can be installed and upgraded anywhere with an internet connection. This has tremendously improved speeds and the user experience. Today, you can easily find a reliable VPN and stream HD content without buffering.

23. Employees need their VPNs on 100% of the time

Some organizations enforce a policy that all employees should use a VPN to secure sensitive data and protect them from malicious networks and websites. Other organizations assume that today, most websites inherently encrypt data, and a VPN would be redundant.

Others enforce a policy where a VPN is turned on for a specific task and then turned off. Employees sometimes use the internet for personal needs that do not really require a VPN connection. Therefore, employees should connect to a VPN depending on the websites they wish to visit and the tasks.

24. VPNs can get me past regional restrictions

Many VPNs can make you believe you can access blocked content in other regions by subscribing to their services. Usually, popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime set geographical restrictions for their content depending on distribution agreements and copyrights. That is why they invest heavily in VPN detection software that effectively blocks some premium VPNs.

Therefore, you must also invest in a reliable VPN such as ExpressVPN, which uses sophisticated technology to avoid detection by anti-VPN software. Additionally, you should only subscribe to VPNs offering a 30-day money-back guarantee to cancel the subscription if they cannot unblock streaming platforms.

25. My VPN won’t let me watch Netflix

Netflix and other streaming platforms use advanced anti-VPN software to detect and block connections coming from VPNs. This is because their content is geographically categorized depending on distribution license and copyright. Alternatively, some platforms ban VPNs and penalize users who violate this policy.

If you aim not to unlock geo-restricted content, choose a VPN with a split tunneling feature. It allows you to exempt some applications on your device from the VPN connection. For instance, you can run your banking app on your local network and watch Netflix with a VPN connection.

26. A mobile VPN isn’t necessary

Some people feel they don’t need a VPN for mobile devices because they trust their carriers. Remember, carriers and internet service providers are required by law to provide a secure telecom infrastructure. However, not all of them have the best interests of your data. Some ISPs track and monitor subscribers’ online activities without consent and profit off their data. When you are not using a VPN on your mobile device, your ISP is capable of seeing the following;

The websites you visit.
When you log in or out.
The time you spend on any website.
Whatever you search online.

When you use a VPN, the ISP infrastructure cannot decrypt your data and can’t monitor your online activities.

27. It’s bad for a VPN to be located in a Five Eyes country

The five eyes countries refer to an intelligence alliance between New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Others later joined the alliance to make it 9, then 14 countries. So, it is advisable to avoid VPNs registered in the 5/9/14 eyes countries, which don’t value user privacy and can seize VPN data anytime.

If a VPN doesn’t keep logs, no data can be seized. Therefore, regardless of where the VPN is located, it should ensure user privacy by enforcing a strict no-logs policy. Always choose a VPN that enforces a strict no-logs policy regardless of location.

28. Paid VPNs are a scam

There are many free VPNs out there, with many subscribers who believe paying for a premium VPN is a waste of money. For a fact, free VPNs are great, but they have limitations. For example, they often come with inactive servers and monthly data caps, which can be annoying when gaming, streaming, or torrenting. They also have insufficient security and privacy features, unlike premium VPNs. Moreover, free VPNs use weak encryption protocols, which can be easily cracked and may fail to protect you from IP leaks. Instead, take advantage of seasonal deals and 30 days money-back guarantees to use premium VPNs at a lower price. Alternatively, you can opt for reliable freemium options like Tunnelbear and Windscribe.

Why are there so many VPN misconceptions

It is difficult to understand why people believe in certain VPN mythologies and misconceptions, yet they are false. Most of the misinformation in the VPN industry comes from false advertising from major corporations and review websites aiming to popularize their products. They spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt and then pitch their product as the ultimate solution. Users then spread the state of fear, anxiety, and doubt while at the same time recommending an advertised VPN as the solution. Therefore, many people are misinformed and believe in unfounded VPN myths and stories. Sometimes, it may take a generational change to get rid of the misconceptions. The myths and misconceptions discussed in this article are standard foundations for VPN advertisements.

Conclusion

A VPN protects your private information, enables access to uncensored content, and enhances security. Specifically, it encrypts your data, rendering it inaccessible to unrelated parties, whether you use an unsecured public hotspot or a safe connection.

Knowing what this technology does, it is safe to say that a Virtual Private Network is essential for all users today. But, the above-covered common VPN myths need to be busted for good. It is always wise to kill misconceptions around any product or service you use or opt to use before getting started.

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