If you think about it, VPN is actually the perfect solution to many online privacy problems. After all, a Virtual Private Network masks your IP-address, encrypts your data and unblock IP-address protected content. In short, it gives you security, anonymity and freedom.
However, everything has its ‘dark side’. Here are the disadvantages of VPN that you should know about before using it:
VPN Might Be Illegal in Your Country
There are some countries that do not allow their citizens to use any type of VPN service. In fact, most VPN services would be block in those countries where private networks are considered illegal. This is the first drawback you need to get over with. If you think your country is on the list of countries that consider the private connection illegal, then first you should not use the VPN service.
A VPN May Slow Down Your Internet
This is because VPN works by connecting your network to a private server before you can actually access the website you want to visit, the process may create a performance issue. Some virtual private networks take longer to reach the private servers, which can lead to longer time for you to load the website you are accessing.
The VPN Service can Monitor and Use Your Data
Yes, private network companies help you bypass internet restrictions and hide your IP address, but the company might be the one to do the tracking instead. Some private network providers would allow you to use their private servers in exchange for your data. They do not, of course state their intention first. You should be aware of the VPN services that provides their private connection free of charge or at a very low price as they could log your activity.
VPN Is Hard To Set Up For Business Users
For personal users, VPN is easy to set up since you just need to download the apps or software and install it on your device. While, it is quite different for business users. VPN is much more complicated for business users to set up, particularly when you need to set up a private network on your premise.
It will add more complexity to your overall link to the network, and will affect any device you use in your business. While many VPN companies will make it easier for you, you may do need a dedicated network management team to oversee the private network connection on your business.
Not Available to Bypass All the Restrictions
People use Virtual Private Network to unblock specific websites or contents. Although it is actually easy to unblock most websites or content, some content may still be hard to access. For example, Netflix, it is available from anywhere but the company only allows certain countries to watch those films or TV shows.
After all they have various agreements with content producers, so they are not legally allowed to show specific content in a given region. And they are mostly good at enforcing that. Many VPN providers can NOT bypass this restriction. Same is the issue with many other sites or content.
Connection breaks
Multiple VPN providers have their software including a kill-switch. It is an incredibly useful feature. When the connection to your VPN server is disconnected, you are immediately left vulnerable and your online activity is connected to your IP address itself. To avoid this, the kill-switch automatically kills all of your internet connection and will only get restored after your VPN connection is restored.
The downside of this is that, you no longer have internet connections. However, you rarely encounter this kind of problem with quality Virtual Private Network providers.
100% Anonymity is not Guaranteed
You might encounter problem when your VPN client is suddenly disconnected or your DNS is leaking. This will lead to your identity revelation. Besides that, some providers might also have an agreement with the government to share critical information about yourself.
Although many service providers are equipped with features such as Double VPN or Kill Switch to make your connection as private and secure as it can be. But, there are still many ways data can be leaked through.
There are definitely some disadvantages when you are using a Virtual Private Network service. However, many of these can be prevented when you use a quality provider. The best thing you can do is consider carefully which VPN is the best for you.