The internet is a pool of criminals that are just waiting for their next prey to go online and fall from their trap. Crimes committed on the internet are hard to trace and hard to solve, making it the platform that most criminals use nowadays. The internet has already become part of our day to day life. Some work through the internet, while others run their business online, and our kids are studying online.
But is there a way to protect yourself or your family from these criminals?
One solution that has been made available to internet users is the VPN. However, the VPN itself can be used as a tool by criminals to victimize netizens. But with the right knowledge and by being cautious, you can easily spot fake VPNs.
Here are some ways to know if the VPN you are downloading is fake.
Check Reviews
This is where you can discern if the tool is a scam or not by reading and observing their previous or existing customer’s feedback. If all of the reviews suggest that the VPN tool is a scam, you might want to avoid it and look for another.
If you do not find a feedback section on the VPN’s website, it will likely be a fraud. Avoiding customer’s feedback to show up to the public means that they are hiding something. If this is the case, it is best to avoid that VPN to ensure safety.
Do Background Check
Do your homework and background check the developer of the VPN. Check other products the developer created. But beware of the imposters who copy the name of a trustworthy developer by changing one or two letters from the original developer’s name.
It’s best to read thoroughly and compare. If you are not familiar with that specific developer, you can google the developer’s name and compare it to the fake one. They will even make an almost identical logo to capture your attention.
Number Of Downloads
You can also spot if a VPN is fake or real. Legit apps or software have millions or more downloads. These numbers indicate that so many people trusted the developer and the app itself.
Only popular apps that have millions of downloads should be trusted. Other popular VPN apps that only have thousands of downloads should not be considered as it might be a scam. Try to avoid apps with low numbers of downloads as much as possible.
Check Their App Images
Having a sample image of what the customer should expect in an app is normal in app stores. You can take advantage of this feature and check each photo uploaded to a particular VPN apps page. Check for low-quality photos and images that are possibly being photoshopped.
Fake VPN app developers will carefully photoshop a photo and present it as a sample to the public to earn their trust. When you already downloaded the VPN, you will notice that what you see on the sample images is far from what you are experiencing when using the app. And the worst thing is, your privacy and security might already be compromised the moment you click that install button and will getmoreprivacy.
The Risk Associated With Fake VPNs
If you are not careful enough, you may end up installing a fake VPN on your device. This action may compromise your security. Below are the associated risks if you are not careful in choosing a VPN app:
- Can Slow Your Connection
If you do not do your research and end up purchasing the wrong VPN app, you may experience a slowing down of your internet connection. Although it is a legitimate VPN, it will decrease your internet speed.
Look into the Fastest VPN Guide and know which VPN provides security without decreasing your internet speed. Get the best out of your money by going for the quality VPN app and not settle for a fake or a shabby VPN app.
Fake VPS can also steal your bandwidth, which can also cause a decrease in speed. The VPN will create a botnet from your device that is connected to the internet. These fake VPN developers sold a part of your bandwidth without your knowledge. They will redirect some of your bandwidth through their servers and distribute it to their customers.
- They Can Sell Your Personal Data
VPNs are created to help internet users hide their identity, internet activities, and IP address while surfing the internet by directing all your traffic to their servers. These VPN service providers are now in possession of all your data to do whatever they want to do with it, including selling your data to third parties.
This is where free VPNs get their earnings. They provide a free service without earning a cent from you. But without your knowledge, they are already gaining profit from your sensitive information and personal data.
- Malware Invasion
Fake VPNs can be a source of malware. When you install or download a fake VPN to your device, you will also download the malware along with it. There are so many types of malware that can infect your device. All of them have one goal, to take your personal information such as bank and credit card details, location, and other important data they can find useful.
Once they have these data, they can now steal money from your bank account or credit card, send you unsolicited emails or postal mails, and worse, steal your identity. You have to be mindful when downloading new software or applications to your device to avoid being a victim.
- May Not Conceal Your Data
More often than not, fake VPNs do not encrypt your data. In short, they are plain useless. They just want to fish for your information without the intention of securing your privacy online. You may surf the internet thinking that you are hidden, but little do you know you are visible to everyone online, including your private data.
You will get what you pay for, and paying nothing will benefit you nothing but putting yourself in a risky situation. It is better to pay a few dollars than end up losing more or lose your identity. Always be vigilant every time you go online and when you purchase digital products.
Takeaway
Transparency is the key. If a specific developer could not provide full transparency about the app, it surely wants to hide something. Additionally, follow your instinct. If you feel there is something shady on a particular app, stay away from it.
