VPNs may be popular today, but they weren’t invented recently. It is a decades-old technology that primarily targeted corporates around the globe. Even today, VPN usage amongst businesses is insurmountable. Hence, VPNs are very useful. There are numerous things you can do with a VPN. Thus, the importance of the tech is evident before all. However, every coin has two sides, and sadly VPNs aren’t foolproof. Hence, both misconceptions and things you cannot do using a VPN will exist.
Many users either glorify the product or outright abolish it. But to these people, we have to say that they are misinformed. Or, they may not understand the concept well enough. VPNs aren’t all-powerful, and there are surely enough things they are incapable of doing, regardless of what vendors claim in their adverts. Thus, today’s article will enlighten readers on things you cannot do with a VPN. Without further ado, scroll down and figure out the technical limits of the ever-popular VPN.
What is a VPN?
You may have heard of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost VPN. These are all companies that provide a VPN service for a fee. But what is a VPN, and how is it a service? Before you understand that, let us focus on the keyword—VPN. VPNs (virtual private networks) run over any communication channel to establish a connection between VPN clients and VPN servers. However, these servers are in remote physical locations. Thus, a client can use these servers to access the internet remotely without showings its actual IP address. Hence, a VPN can, in all effect, render a user invisible on the net. How? By hiding the originating IP address behind a remote IP address. But that’s not all that VPNs do.
VPNs are a network, as we know. They were invented to aid business manage their remote workforce. Any corporate could connect its numerous remote branches to the central network using a VPN. It is like connecting numerous LANs into a WAN, but remotely. But why are VPNs preferred? Because they employ specific security protocols when establishing a tunnel, the core tech behind a VPN. This tunnel can encrypt the data traffic flowing to and fro from the client. Thus, VPNs are a network that facilitates the privacy and security of data. However, they are also a service.
Today, VPNs have penetrated the individual market by relying on their capabilities. They promise privacy to the user and ensure the security of their data. With growing concerns regarding the safety of the internet, many have bought into the concept. An individual or consumer VPN has a network of servers. However, it allows users to install an exclusive VPN client. This client can access the vendor’s network. Thus, in exchange for a fee, many companies promote VPNs as privacy and security tools.
You cannot use a VPN to do these things
VPNs are great, but still, there are things you cannot do with a VPN, such as:
Play games at work without anyone knowing
Although VPNs can hide you from third parties, they can’t prevent monitoring from network admin. If you work in a corporate field and use a VPN network, don’t assume your streaming or online gaming activities can remain hidden from your bosses. Corporate VPNs work slightly differently from consumer VPNs. They are in place to prevent the loss of proprietary data, among other things. Hence, any VPN would have administrative control, and it can monitor connected client software.
Defend yourself from malware and viruses
Contrary to popular belief, VPNs can’t prevent malware and viruses. Yes, they can secure your data traffic and hide you on the web, but can’t account for human behavior. It simply cannot solve these user-end issues can’t work with a VPN. Although, if the users retain a healthy internet behavior coupled with the practice of employing VPNs, there is a low possibility of attack. But if you choose to click on a malicious link or fall victim to a phishing scam, VPNs can’t do anything to help. Remember, VPNs are not antivirus software. The bottom line is: A VPN can’t secure your device, and can only protect your online data.
Work without a communication network (internet)
Many people confuse the internet and VPNs. First, let us reiterate that VPNs can run on any communication channel, public (internet) or private. They are a network like others (LAN). But due to the integration of the internet in our lives, we can’t possibly exclude VPNs from the web. However, it doesn’t mean that VPN can replace the internet.
Another point is that many users feel VPNs can work the same without an internet connection. Although technically true, what you can do on a VPN with the internet won’t be possible without it. Imagine VPN is a car, and the internet is an expressway. The car can also run on rural roads, sure. But to reach another city, one has to rely on the expressway because rural roads don’t connect states.
Gain 100% anonymity
Nothing in life is guaranteed, especially when it comes to the internet. Some vendors indeed claim to achieve “total” or 100% anonymity, but this is false. Everything in the digitized world can be traced. Although VPNs make it very hard, it isn’t impossible. Don’t buy into the pretense that using a VPN will render you invisible. If someone wants to find you, especially the authorities, owing a VPN won’t be that much of a help.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) can see what you do. Although it may not know your online activities, it can still clearly see that you are using a VPN. There are techs like DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) that block VPNs. Another issue is the cookies on the web. While you may hide your IP by repeatedly visiting a website, you hand them enough data to create a personalized digital profile. This profile contains information such as:
- The type of browser you use and its version
- Your OS and its version
- The screen resolution
- Your device’s timezone, language, and active plugins
Lastly, there is always GPS. You can spoof IP addresses, but what about GPS?
Prevent cookies from tracking you
As we mentioned earlier, VPNs can’t prevent cookies from tracking you. Although these won’t exactly know who you are, they can still collect information. But yes, a VPN defeats the purpose of cookies, as it prevents targeted marketing. However, with advanced browser fingerprinting, it is becoming harder to do so.
Increase your online speed
It is a popular myth that VPNs increase online speed. On the contrary, heavy computation needed for encryption and routing data can increase bandwidth and latency, respectively. Hence, VPNs can only lower your internet speed. But in a rare case, if you stop ISP throttling, you can experience increased internet speed all due to a VPN. There are a few other cases when VPN can boost internet speed by removing limits imposed on your regular Internet connection.
Bypass all firewalls or VPN blocks
Again, while a VPN may go around specific blocks and firewalls, it is simply a fantasy to imagine it can circumvent any firewall on the globe. VPNs aren’t that powerful. Yes, they can aid your streaming experience and help fight against censorship, but that’s all. A popular example is the Great Firewall of China. Even sophisticated VPNs struggle to bypass it.