This article can be a bit contradictory, especially from a conservative point of view. It can also be deemed inconsistent with what we know about the internet. However, there are always two sides to a story, and we always try to present an alternative perspective to our potential readers. Hence, when asked can a VPN give free data, we exhausted our strengths to research the topic. And this extensive research might include some facts and fiction, and the so-called tips and tricks. It is up to our readers to choose a side and examine the facts.
Although, we will stick to our opus and declare that the ability of a VPN to give free data is a myth. Yes, there is so-called evidence available on the internet that might refute our line. But as responsible netizens, cognizant of the web, we would like to corroborate that there is absolutely no truth behind it. However, we have included some contradictory thoughts in our article in the spirit of debate. Thus, without further ado, let us examine whether a VPN can give free data.
What is free internet?
What is the internet? Is it free? Why do we pay for it? They are questions plaguing the average user. Many users do not understand the concept of the web. Consumers use it as it is convenient, and since they are familiar with paying for it, they do not comprehend what it is. Is it a service? Technically we don’t pay for the internet itself. But, we spend for its management. The internet is a giant network that connects billions of digital devices. However, such an extensive network needs 24/7 and 356-day upkeep. That requires a lot of work, be it routers and power consumption or laying down fiber and towers.
The internet can run smoothly because the backend work is ever going seamlessly, and we pay for this. A company that provides the internet to our house doesn’t possess the network, but it owns the infrastructure required. Hence, free internet is a myth. Now, you might ask, “What about the public Wi-Fi channels?” Let us remind you that the term public is present in the title. Maybe you are not directly paying for it as it gets offered to you as a part of a package, but it isn’t free.
Remember: the internet is a network and a service. How it originated and how it developed over time is something worth considering, but it is a topic for another time. All that our readers have to understand is an ISP (Internet Service Provider) is that the one that delivers it. It invests in infrastructure and manual labor to keep the internet running. And we pay for the upkeep of the network and not the network itself.
Who do I pay to access the internet?
We have to analyze another question: Where does my money go if I’m not paying for the internet? There is no central authority that controls internet management, i.e., it is decentralized. But there is a monitory body that overviews the domain names and associated IP addresses, known as ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Within ICANN, there is a body that focuses on and develops policy on internet domain names known as the Generic Names Supporting Organization or GNSO. GNSO consists of several sectoral stakeholder groups called constituencies.
The ISP industry participates in the GNSO through its constituency: the ISPCP (The Internet Service Providers and Connectivity Providers). Likewise, another body manages the IP addresses, known as The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). It has overall responsibility for the Internet Protocol (IP) address pool, and by using the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), IANA distributes large blocks of addresses to willing ISPs. Ultimately, ISPs use these IP addresses to register new users. We don’t pay for the internet, but we pay for access to it. Imagine a toll bridge—you can only use it after paying, and ISPs are the ones in charge of collecting this toll.
Can a VPN give free data?
A VPN can’t give you free internet. It can, however, give you free access to the web. However, here, the term free isn’t used in a monetary sense. Today, many users can’t access the net freely (as in freedom of the internet). Hence, a VPN can give free internet access even if your ISP blocks some websites. But the condition is that you need to have an active internet connection. No one other than an ISP can provide the internet. If your ISP ceases your internet connection, you can’t get online unless you use another internet service. Having a VPN won’t change it.
Also, a VPN won’t make the service free. A VPN (a virtual private network) merely runs over any communication channel. However, if you are using a VPN over the internet, the essential requirement is to have internet access. Without the internet, you can’t use it. Yes, there are corporate ones that run on private channels. But again, it is not the internet. It is a simple internet network that doesn’t need a public communication channel to function. Thus, anyone who claims that VPNs can make your internet bills vanish is lying. Some apps available on the web that claim to provide free internet are traps.
How could VPNs provide free data?
Despite all this, we did come across an article that claims to provide free internet via a VPN. However, we have to reiterate that it is untested. In the essence of full disclosure, here is how you can gain free internet with a VPN (which we doubt):
1. Using an ICMP exploit
One of the most common loopholes present in a network you can manipulate to gain free internet is the ICMP. ICMP is a protocol left open for network admins to diagnose network problems. Another name for it is PING. If you open the Command Prompt and ping a website (e.g., ping www.abc.com) and get ping replies without issues, you can use a VPN with ICMP protocol to get free internet.
2. Exploiting DNS
Another example is using the DNS exploit, as most firewalls allow DNS requests to pass freely. You use DNS when you want to resolve a hostname to its corresponding IP address. Hence, the DNS uses UDP port 53. Most networks get configured to let any UDP packets routed to port 53 pass freely because they assume it to be a DNS request. If you do not have any data plan, you can still resolve hostnames. Chances are, you can set your VPN to connect to UDP port 53. This way, you will be able to connect your VPN and get free internet access.
3. The host-header exploit and other ports
You can manipulate a TCP VPN connection that allows you to set a custom HTTP header when connecting. The exploit works when your ISP lets you browse certain websites for free. The VPN adds an HTTP host header when connecting to the VPN server. It makes your ISP think you are connecting to the free website, but you are connecting to your VPN server. Additionally, there are still alternative ports you can use, and their number ranges from 1 to 65535.