Is a free VPN safe? 5 things to look for
Virtual private networks are designed to preserve your anonymity on the internet. But VPNs can suffer from data breaches too, just like any service—as a recent report reminded us all. They also can be run by just about anyone, so it’s wise to scrutinize your options before signing up.
That’s especially true when picking a free VPN. Free services aren’t automatically bad, but internet connections, electricity, and servers cost money. To afford those, free VPNs may show you ads, sell your data, or use you as part of their network to route data for paid users.