People use Virtual Private Networks to keep their data private and secure, as VPNs cloak your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic activity.<br />VPNs also get around geoblocking, a classic example being to access Netflix libraries from different countries.<br />In fact, a recent survey showed 68% of US internet users use VPNs. Of those, 29% used free VPNs rather than paid services.<br />But according to Business Insider, free VPNs come with privacy risks such as increased data harvesting, shoddy security, and suspicious ownership.<br />Remember: If the product is 'free,' then you're probably the product. Your data is being harvested and sold by the VPN provider.<br />Your security is at risk. The provider isn't making money off you, so why should it spend money protecting you?<br />Finally, many of the most popular free VPNs have some form of Chinese ownership. VPNs are illegal in China, so who's running your VPN--and why?
