Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are a powerful tool that anyone who is concerned about their online privacy and security can use. It works by connecting your device to a server, which then forwards your information to the website you would like to visit. This process makes it harder for hackers to steal information, and can help to keep out spying by the government or other entities.

Free vpn providers have a variety of negatives that you need to be aware of before using them. These include poor security protocols to data caps and slow speeds for connection. Free vpn services may expose users to intrusive advertisements and malware to generate revenues.

In some cases, free vpn services will keep track of your online activity and sell this information to third-party. This board portal software can compromise your data and privacy.

VPNs that are free tend to limit the number of servers you can connect to, which can be problematic if you have to bypass geo-restrictions. Additionally, some countries still believe that VPNs are illegal, therefore using a free service could result in legal issues.

Free vpn services usually have data limits that are designed to help users to upgrade to a paid version. This can be frustrating particularly if you use your VPN often. Your data plan may quickly run out. Additionally, VPN connections can consume more bandwidth and data than unprotected Internet connections because your data is going to detour through the VPN server.