6 VPN Myths Busted: What a VPN Can and Cannot Do

3 min

There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet. VPNs and online security in general have not been spared either. The information you find about VPNs on social media sites and certain blogs is not entirely truthful. Relying and acting on it can be counterproductive and put your online privacy and devices at risk.

As a premium VPN provider, TuxlerVPN believes in providing the right information to our users. This is why we’ve been creating a content database that answers all your questions regarding VPNs. 

We debunked seven VPN myths in 2021 where we covered VPN basics and speed throttling claims. In today’s myth-busting article we take on some more misconceptions surrounding VPNs and online security.

Myth #1 – VPNs make you 100% anonymous online

Fact: 100% anonymity on the internet is not possible as VPN tunnels can still be compromised using advanced brute-force techniques.

As we’ve discussed before, your ISP or any other entity can still try and track you. Their success probability depends on how hard they try and what VPN protocol is being used by you.

Nonetheless, there are ways in which you can maximize your online security and stay away from the radar.

Myth #2 – VPNs can protect your computer from viruses

Fact: A VPN can only hide your IP address and encrypt your web traffic. It is not antivirus software.

When surfing the web, if you click on a malicious link or download a virus-infested file, your device still has a chance to be infected if you’re not using anti-malware or antivirus software. A VPN has nothing to do with fighting viruses or malware. It can only save you from attacks such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) interception and financial fraud.

We highly recommend you install anti-virus and anti-malware software.

Myth #3 – VPNs are only useful for illegal activities

Fact: A VPN is a bona fide privacy software that shields your privacy and web activities from snooping.

It’s a common misconception that a VPN is only used to unblock streaming sites, evade censorship, or engage in P2P file transfers. While a majority of users may use a VPN for such activities (which cannot be entirely tagged as illegal), it is more of a tool built to protect your privacy online

By hiding your IP address and encrypting your network connection, a VPN protects you from surveillance, traffic snooping, and cyberattacks.

Myth #4 – Residential VPNs are not real VPNs

Fact: A residential VPN is just a type of VPN that has better IP hiding capabilities.

Residential VPNs like TuxlerVPN use a residential IP network to tunnel web traffic through 100% true residential IPs as compared to server IPs in the case of traditional VPNs. This may give a wrong assumption that they’re not real VPNs.

In reality, residential VPNs are better equipped at unblocking websites while avoiding VPN blocking.

Myth #5 – VPNs are for vulnerable people only

Fact: VPNs are recommended for anyone who uses the internet.

Another common misconception is that a VPN is only for those users who are either worried about their privacy or who are vulnerable online. It’s unwise to assume that you don’t need privacy protection online.

In today’s hostile online world, a hacker can target anyone, especially because most cyberattacks are random. If your device and network connection are not secure enough, you could be a victim of online fraud.

A VPN, therefore, acts as an extra layer of security whether you surf the web, execute financial transactions online, or exchange instant messages.

Myth #6 – Free VPNs are just as good as premium ones

Fact: Free VPNs often oversell their features and lack critical functions such as encryption.

As a first-time user, it may be tempting to try out a free VPN over a premium one that requires a paid subscription. However, cutting corners this way can still put you at risk.

Free VPNs are often characterized by poor VPN infrastructure, frequent IP and data leaks, and poor or nonexistent encryption. Some free VPNs make it look like you’re behind a VPN tunnel but, in reality, may not even be hiding your IP address. 

As we’ve discussed in a comparison article, free VPNs also run the risk of data logging where they sell your internet usage data to third-party companies. This can pose a serious risk to your online identity, privacy, and web traffic.

If high cost is your only gripe about premium VPNs, try TuxlerVPN for a month and enjoy military-grade encryption and truly residential IPs. 

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