Can Free VPNs Contain Viruses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the safety and security implications of using free VPNs, particularly regarding the potential for viruses and data tracking. Participants explore the differences between free and paid VPN services, the trustworthiness of providers, and alternative solutions for anonymity and security online.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether free VPNs contain viruses and express concern about the vulnerability of files on connected devices.
  • One participant argues that a VPN itself is not inherently unsafe, but the security of the network being connected to can pose risks if that network is compromised.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of free VPN providers, with claims that many lack the infrastructure to deliver advertised services and may rent services from others who keep logs.
  • Participants discuss the potential for both free and paid VPNs to track user activity, emphasizing that trust in the provider is crucial.
  • Alternative solutions, such as the TOR Browser, are suggested for users seeking anonymity, with a note on its original purpose and current usage.
  • One participant asserts that not all free VPNs contain viruses, indicating a lack of consensus on the safety of these services.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the safety of free VPNs, with some asserting that they can be safe while others highlight significant risks. There is no consensus on whether free VPNs inherently contain viruses or if they can be trusted to protect user data.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of vetting VPN providers and the challenges in confirming whether providers track user activity due to lack of access to their servers. The discussion reflects varying levels of trust and assumptions about the capabilities of different VPN services.

feynman1
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Do free VPNs have viruses? If so, when connected with them, files on the PC are vulnerable to attack?
 
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A VPN is just a means to connect to another network, there is nothing inherantly unsafe i doing so. If the network you connect to has an infected computer then you may be more succeptable.

Why are you using a VPN? For annonymity?

A lot of these free VPN providers cannot provide the infrastructure to actually provide the service they advertise so they end up "renting" the service from someone else. In the IT security news this week have been 7 VPN providers who have been promising to "hold not data" on you and yet, they all "rented" out the service from the same provider who WAS keeping logs.

Dependoing on your reasons for using a VPN proxy to the internet, you need to be really careful to vet the provider you use.
 
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Can paid for VPNs keep track of what websites users access?
 
Any VPN can keep track, wether they do or not is another question and comes down to trust in that provider. You are basically routing your information through someone else's computer network. That's all the internet is really, other people's computers/servers/networks and that's how you should view it to remain safe.

An idea of why you are looking to use one would be helpful is providing you with a better / alternative solution.

For example if you are just browing have you ever thought of using the TOR Browser? It was originally created by the US as a mean of allowing those abroad a method to circumvent cencorship and provide anonymity.

Yes, it is also the gateway to accessing the "Dark Web" as it's capable of hosting web sites within it's network, but that was not it's primary purpose or usage. It's used by many foreign journalists and even western journalists for research purposes.
 
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feynman1 said:
Can paid for VPNs keep track of what websites users access?

Both free and paid VPNs will keep a record of the websites you are visiting. Your connection is through their gateway/proxy. If they want to do this, it is easy to get that. However, it is hard to confirm because you don't have access to their servers.
 
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Not all the free VPNS have viruses.
 

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