Free VPNs are still popular, despite the risks

A survey, conducted by NordVPN, reveals that some users are willing to share their personal information for a free VPN service.

Every year since 2020, NordVPN has conducted an annual survey to assess user awareness of VPN use. This study analyzes trends related to VPNs, including participants’ awareness, usage, preferred types, and motivations. The results reveal a significant evolution over the years, with the participation of thousands of people from 20 countries, providing in-depth insight into the perception and use of VPNs on a global scale. One strong piece of data emerges from this survey: the side of free VPN services.

A VPN, kezako?

The main purpose of a VPN is to protect your online traffic and improve your experience by making it more secure. It hides your browsing activities, helps you stay safe on public networks, and provides a private connection to access company resources remotely. Additionally, it prevents your Internet Service Provider from recording and tracking your activity, avoids bandwidth throttling for specific activities, and helps hide your virtual location. In short, a VPN is essential for cybersecurity and provides freedom of internet browsing.

However, it seems that this is not always very clear to users of VPN services.

The NordVPN survey shows that VPN awareness in the US, UK, Canada and Australia is above average.

• 68% of Americans know what a VPN is, 31% use one.
• 70% of Canadians know what a VPN is, 29% use one.
• 71% of Brits know what a VPN is, 32% use one.
• 68% of Australians know what a VPN is, 32% use one.

“If it’s free, you’re the product.”

According to the survey, the number of paid VPN users around the world is experiencing a significant increase.

However, some users persist in compromising their privacy by opting for free services instead of choosing reliable paid VPNs.

The numbers speak for themselves: more than 40% of Americans still use free VPN services compared to 37% of Brits, 35% of Australians and 29% of Canadians.

However, caution is advised when using a free VPN. Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, says so. “ A free VPN is often an illusion when it comes to privacy. VPN providers must make a profit to continue operating », he continues. This free access is only possible thanks to the sale of personal data to advertisers. “So most of the time a free VPN has nothing to do with privacy and is generally insecure », he concludes.

This somewhat general statement is however contradicted by the company Proton, which finances its completely free VPN via subscriptions to its paid subscription.

Security and confidentiality: youth must be spent

In the United States alone, VPN use for data and online activity protection fell from 44% to 40%. However, Americans appear to be placing more importance on the security of their devices and online accounts, with an increase from 28% to 30% since last year.

Yet younger generations, like Gen Z, often prefer free VPN services over secure paid VPNs. Their use for reasons of confidentiality and security is less frequent than among their parents and grandparents.

A trend that Marijus Briedis explains. “ Awareness of digital privacy and security comes with maturity. People aged 25 to 44 care the most about their digital security and have the best VPN usage habits. Unfortunately, young people, considered the most digitally active, are also among the most exposed to cyber threats. In fact, their privacy skills are similar to those of baby boomers “.

Despite the exponential growth in the use of VPNs to protect online privacy, only less than half of respondents opt for a VPN to secure their data and devices.

Source: NordVPN