We live in an era where data is valuable. Furthermore, the information age has taken pains to integrate itself with our daily routine. Thus, no matter the age, status, or gender, we all love and use the internet for the most minute of things. This increasing appetite for the internet has also allowed us to recognize and realize the various dangers associated with the advent of the information age. As data becomes more beneficial, it is becoming easier to access.
However, lots of people do not care about their online privacy. Those who do, realize the value in protecting themselves on the internet, and what better tool to do so than a VPN? But there are certain expectations regarding this technology due to advertising and reviews. Do these expectations hold and what is the truth of VPNs? Let’s do a fact check of the VPN expectations v/s reality.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a private and virtual network that uses a VPN tunnel to connect a client to a remote VPN server over the public internet to facilitate communication. The primary usage of VPN lies in connecting the remote workforce to a central corporate authority. However, the advent of consumer VPNs has since then changed the game. Hence, a VPN is at the forefront of online security. A VPN is capable of encrypting data traffic. Likewise, it can mask IP addresses. Thus, users love VPNs to protect their data from ISP and trackers. They also use the tech to unblock geo-restricted content by spoofing their IP address.
Although, this has led to a slew of misconceptions amongst potential users. Due to false marketing or fearmongering, many providers and reviewers create an all-powerful image of the VPN. However, it is untrue. A VPN is not foolproof online. It has its demerits and by no means is a failsafe. Furthermore, a VPN is only a tool to aid online safety. As long as users do not follow healthy online habits, no VPN can help them.
Nevertheless, a VPN is effective when it comes to safety. It can encrypt data and route it through a remote server to prevent tracking. But a VPN is not a license to do wrong. That is why we will do a VPN expectations v/s reality fact check.
Why do you need one?
People aware of the dangers lurking on the internet often opt for extra security. A VPN is the best technology available for said protection at this time, and we already explained how it works. But that is not all why a user needs VPN. Some burden lies on the so-called expectations. A user expects numerous things from a VPN, such as:
- Anonymity
- Online safety
- Hacking prevention
- Bypassing censorship
- Accessing geo-restricted content
- Peace of mind while torrenting
But the sad thing is that although VPN is capable of these tasks, users demand the impossible. They want complete anonymity, total protection, censorship prevention, and access to forbidden content almost seamlessly. However, these expectations are misguided. A VPN can undoubtedly do some if not all the tasks mentioned but not flawlessly. The reality of a VPN is somewhat different and more modest v/s the expectations.
VPN Expectations v/s Reality
| Fact | Expectations | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Complete anonymity | Users tend to think a VPN will make them invisible on the internet. Sadly, this expectation will remain a fantasy. A VPN masks your IP address but there are other ways to track users online. Thus, no, a VPN will not cause complete anonymity. | The truth behind VPNs makes them one of the best technologies for online privacy. However, reality dictates that even with DNS protection, you can fool others but only to a point. Browser fingerprinting, DPI (Deep Packet Inspection), and other tools can still track you, rendering your privacy moot. |
| VPNs are foolproof | People expect VPNs to be failsafe. Meaning, no matter the scenario, they expect VPNs to be employable and completely infallible. They believe a VPN to be the cure-all for online security and that it can prevent any form of online threat. | Sadly, this expectation will not hold. Like others, VPNs also take a targeted approach towards problems. In reality, a VPN can only solve some issues. Moreover, it is not foolproof. There are many online threats that a VPN can’t even predict, much less prevent. |
| Total protection | Many users believe a VPN works for all computer problems. They anticipate it to contain malware infestation and block adware. They also expect a VPN to prevent hacking. Users think that installing a VPN will lead to total protection. | However, the reality dictates that a VPN is only capable of two tasks. First, it masks your IP address, and second, it encrypts your data traffic. Other than these, a VPN won’t be able to help. You can’t expect it to thwart hacking. It can neither block malware nor prevent adware. A VPN is a dedicated tool for IP spoofing and encryption, and to expect more of it will be a fallacy. |
| Bypass censorship | VPNs are unbeatable at evading censorship. Expectations dictate that VPNs can easily circumvent blocks and access censored content. However, the truth is a bit strange. While most VPNs can bypass blocks, these blocks themselves don’t amount to much. There isn’t much a provider can do if a country decides to block it. | In reality, VPNs need obfuscated technology to bypass such blocks. Most VPNs don’t have obfuscated servers or the so-called stealth mode. Furthermore, VPNs aren’t the only technology that can get this done. Tor (The Onion Router) and SOCKS5 proxy can also bypass DPI blocks due to obfuscation. |
| Unblocking geo-restricted content | There are growing expectations for VPNs related to entertainment. What started as a security measure now also works as a mode of streaming regionally-blocked media. The block in this case is not an imposition under the governing authority, but a work of the target platform. Yet, people expect VPNs to work their way around them. Undoubtedly, many VPNs can do this, but it is not a guaranteed service. | As we pointed out, VPNs can bypass geo-restriction measures. But not every VPN can do this—only a provider with a large, diverse server network may. Most streaming platforms take some measures against VPNs. Thus, unless there is a large number of servers or a constant influx of new ones, generic VPNs can’t circumvent it. |
| Safe for torrenting | Users expect VPNs to be perfect for torrenting. Well, they are to a certain extent. However, don’t think of VPNs as a failsafe for torrenting. We have always stressed how VPNs are legal, but using them for anything illegal won’t make the activity acceptable. Now, torrenting is not unlawful. However, some individuals use it for illicit activities. | In reality, not all VPN providers support torrenting. There are specific servers that throttle data traffic while torrenting. This is not advertised because vendors want their products to sell. However, there are only a select few providers that can handle unlimited, uninterrupted torrenting. |
| Free VPNs are good | People foresee free things to be acceptable. They think they can try it out and feel how things work with a free VPN. In principle, this is not wrong. However, free VPNs are often a trap. | We advise our readers to avoid free VPNs without a good reputation. They are often a party to illegal data mining and engage in selling user data. They log data and promote third-party adverts. Free VPNs are mostly proxy as they do not offer decent encryption. |