Computer Hope
Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: nstuart on December 02, 2016, 08:19:56 AM
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Hi. Can anybody tell me what's the difference between free and paid VPN? and which VPN should I go for if I have a low budget?
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Hi. Can anybody tell me what's the difference between free and paid VPN? and which VPN should I go for if I have a low budget?
Okay before i go into detail, please know that the key selling point behind any freebie, at least to me, is its price.
Free VPNs - Pros
1. It’s free
Free VPNs - Cons
1. Sometimes you have to wait in line to get a connection
2. Most spammers and hackers use free VPNs
3. This means most of those IPs are already blacklisted/blocked
4. With some of those blocked IPs, you will not be able to access certain websites or services
5. You can also be more vulnerable
6. The encryption isn’t as solid as a paid VPN
7. Very limited number of servers available to choose from
8. There is no kill switch on free VPNs (in case you’re unaware of it, read more about it here)
9. There is usually a cap (limit on data transfer)
10. The DNS usually isn’t secured
11. very limited number of regions to connect from
12. limited regions means more probability of latency
13. This means slower browsing
14. No split tunneling (read here)
15. Log-keeping(free ones keep a log of your activities which are sold to third parties for marketing and in rare cases, spamming)
Pros - Paid VPN
1. Hundreds of regions to choose from
2. No logs (only valid for non-US)
3. No limit of data transfer
4. Split tunneling
5. No stress of paid IPs being used for spamming or getting blacklisted
6. Better encryption (xxx bit) and hence more security
7. Kill switch and thus more safety
8. Unlimited server switching
9. Zero logs are maintained
10. Dedicated customer supported that can help you when you’re stuck
Cons - Paid VPNs
1. It’s not free
Those were my two cents... maybe you can check out this link for a more detailed answer.
www.ivacy.com/free-vs-paid-vpn/
But like i said, it's free. That's it's strength, and the dogma of "all good things come at a price" has some truth to it.
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Setting up your own FREE tunnel is best to avoid monkey in the middle attack. This requires you to set up the tunnel at both ends or a 2nd person at the other end to set up their half of the tunnel connection to join up with yours with encryption etc for highest security.
If you dont know how to do this then your stuck going with someone elses provided service, in which i would trust a paid for service over a free service as for NOTHING IS FREE, so what is the catch. How are they making money on you connected through them etc. Additionally check for online reviews to see if the service is a good one or bad reviews. Avoid those that dont have any reviews as for there might be a reason why they refuse to share review info about themselves etc. Google is generally a good search to find out who is good and who is bad for VPN. Those who are upset will generally leave negative feedback vs walking away upset and saying nothing.
Going with anyone elses service there is the chance that someone in between at the business offering the VPN could have a rogue employee or could be compromised in which traffic can be intercepted as for their business is acting like a switchboard to supply the tunnel. Anyone with admin access at that business can watch packets and see whats going back and forth etc.
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Its always better to go for Paid VPN. Free VPN have more chances for your private data's to get hacked as the encryption will not be more strong. Also you can choose servers only from limited sets which will be an other problem. Its always better to go for paid one that suits your budget.
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Setting up your own FREE tunnel is best to avoid monkey in the middle attack. This requires you to set up the tunnel at both ends or a 2nd person at the other end to set up their half of the tunnel connection to join up with yours with encryption etc for highest security.
If you dont know how to do this then your stuck going with someone elses provided service, in which i would trust a paid for service over a free service as for NOTHING IS FREE, so what is the catch. How are they making money on you connected through them etc. Additionally check for online reviews to see if the service is a good one or bad reviews. Avoid those that dont have any reviews as for there might be a reason why they refuse to share review info about themselves etc. Like PIA, it is cheap and far better than any free service. It is indeed finest and features riched service in such price.
Going with anyone elses service there is the chance that someone in between at the business offering the VPN could have a rogue employee or could be compromised in which traffic can be intercepted as for their business is acting like a switchboard to supply the tunnel. Anyone with admin access at that business can watch packets and see whats going back and forth etc.
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Setting up your own FREE tunnel is best to avoid monkey in the middle attack. This requires you to set up the tunnel at both ends or a 2nd person at the other end to set up their half of the tunnel connection to join up with yours with encryption etc for highest security.
If you dont know how to do this then your stuck going with someone elses provided service, in which i would trust a paid for service over a free service as for NOTHING IS FREE, so what is the catch. How are they making money on you connected through them etc. Additionally check for online reviews to see if the service is a good one or bad reviews. Avoid those that dont have any reviews as for there might be a reason why they refuse to share review info about themselves etc. Like PIA (https://www.criticthoughts.com/vpn/private-internet-access-review/), it is cheap and far better than any free service. It is indeed finest and features riched service in such price.
Going with anyone elses service there is the chance that someone in between at the business offering the VPN could have a rogue employee or could be compromised in which traffic can be intercepted as for their business is acting like a switchboard to supply the tunnel. Anyone with admin access at that business can watch packets and see whats going back and forth etc.
Nordvpn and ivpn are some other cheap vpns better than free vpn service s as they dont keep logs and provide useful features
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I'll throw in my 2 cents and simply say... let Google be your friend here.
before making a final decision, research the VPN mob you are thinking about, look for reviews and issues from other users and industry critics.