10 Reasons Not To Use a VPN (and 4 Reasons You Should)

A virtual private network (VPN) is a great way to keep your online activity extra secure. A VPN encrypts your browsing activity and masks your IP address to give you more privacy and also helps you bypass censorship or access geo-restricted streaming content.

However, using a VPN can also have downsides. While VPNs tout added security, using the wrong VPN may actually jeopardize your personally identifiable information and put you at greater risk.

Let’s look at some situations where even the best VPN services aren't necessary, plus somewhere a VPN comes in handy.

VPN pros and cons

10 disadvantages of a VPN

1. False sense of security

While a virtual private network (VPN) increases your privacy and security, it can also give you a false sense of security. Even with a VPN connection, you’re still susceptible to dangers like malware and hackers, as a VPN doesn’t stop you from visiting malicious websites.

By bundling a VPN with other security features — like antivirus protection, ad blocking, and identity theft coverage — you can safeguard your privacy and your digital data. Some premium VPN providers like Surfshark include malware protection, ad-blocking technology, and other safe browsing features.

2. Some streaming services block VPN IP addresses

Just because you have a VPN, it doesn’t mean you’re able to access every streaming service or website. Some streaming services block VPN users by blacklisting known VPN IP addresses. Popular streaming platforms don't like it when subscribers share passwords or access geo-restricted content for several reasons, including copyright issues, censorship, or advertising contracts.

If your main goal is to unblock Netflix or another streaming service, take a peek at our guide to the best VPN apps for streaming to see which ones let you watch your favorite shows. 

Alternatively, you can purchase a dedicated IP address with your VPN subscription, ensuring that streaming platforms cannot block your IP address.

3. Some websites block VPNs

Similar to streaming services blocking VPNs, other websites may also block VPN usage by blacklisting static IP addresses. In many cases, a website may block a VPN to help protect itself and its users from spam or cybercriminals. Websites may also restrict VPN usage to protect revenue from advertisers.

However, there are legitimate ways to bypass VPN blocks, including using obfuscated servers, dedicated IP addresses, and Tor, among others.

4. VPNs can slow down your internet speeds

One reason you may not want to use a VPN is that it could significantly slow down your internet connection speed. Several factors affect your internet speeds when using a VPN, including the fact that a VPN encrypts your data and routes it through different servers, which can slow down the process. This means VPNs may slow down your internet speeds as a tradeoff for encrypting your data.

Your internet speed can also be affected based on the VPN server you’re using and the VPN protocol used.

Some VPNs have a greater impact on your connection speed than others. When we test and review a VPN, we examine how our internet speeds are affected when connecting to servers located worldwide. If you’re worried about your internet speeds slowing down, you can find one of the fastest VPNs. During our in-house testing, NordVPN has consistently increased our internet speeds, so not all VPN providers yield the same results. 

On the other hand, if you believe your slow internet connection is due to bandwidth throttling by your internet service provider (ISP), a VPN may actually help speed up your internet connection.

5. VPNs use extra data

The nature of a VPN means you’ll use more data to encrypt your information. While VPNs don’t use a ton of extra data, you want to be cautious if your cell phone provider or ISP has data caps.

There is no industry standard for how much data a VPN uses, as it depends on how you use it. If you’re using a lot of data to stream content, the VPN also uses more data to encrypt your connection while you stream. If you have data constraints, you may want to avoid using a VPN because it consumes additional data.

If you're concerned about mobile data usage, consider using VPNs optimized for mobile devices, such as NordVPN and Surfshark.

6. VPNs are illegal in some countries

Another reason to be cautious about using a VPN is that it may be illegal in the country where you are. While VPNs are generally legal throughout most of the world, some countries have restrictions or laws that prohibit or limit their use.

Select countries where VPNs are illegal or restricted:

1. China
2. North Korea
3. Russia
4. Iran
5. Iraq
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Belarus
8. Turkey
9. Oman
10. Uganda

We discuss this further in our guide to the best VPN providers for Russia, as the country has banned nearly all VPNs within its borders. At the end of the day, ensure you understand how your country or the country you’re visiting views VPN usage, and stay safe.

7. Free VPN providers might log your data

While a free VPN may sound like a dream come true, the cost savings could jeopardize your security.

Free VPN services are known to log your data and use that information to make money by selling your data to advertisers and marketing agencies. The worst part is that those data logs of your activity could end up in the hands of cybercriminals, who could use them to steal your identity or target you with cyberattacks.

It’s important to find a VPN dedicated to protecting your privacy online. You can understand how a VPN will or will not protect your privacy by researching whether the VPN keeps logs of your activity and reading the VPN’s privacy policy to see what information it collects and how it uses it. We've also tested and compiled a list of the best no-logs VPNs to save you time.

8. Free VPNs may include malware

Speaking of cyberattacks, you may also encounter malware or malicious content when using a free VPN. In the past, free VPNs were used to gain access to unsuspecting users’ devices. These free VPNs may install malware on your device through advertisements that help offset the cost of the VPN. To better protect yourself, it’s advisable to opt for a premium VPN rather than using a free one that may have vulnerabilities.

The only free VPNs we recommend are Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN. By far, Proton VPN is the best free VPN we've tested.

9. Not all paid VPNs protect you from malware

Just because a VPN protects your activity and masks your IP address, it may not also protect you from malware, trackers, and unwanted ads.

To better protect yourself from malware and viruses, it’s important to use antivirus software or to find a VPN that also includes that functionality. These five VPNs with malware protection can help you keep your devices safe.

Best VPNs with malware protection

1. NordVPN Threat Protection: NordVPN comes with Threat Protection, which scans files you’re downloading to ensure they’re free from malware and trackers. NordVPN blocks these threats before they can access your device. Threat Protection also blocks intrusive ads and trackers and prevents you from visiting malicious websites.
   
   See NordVPN Plans | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review
2. Surfshark CleanWeb: CleanWeb 2.0 is the latest malware protection tool from Surfshark. CleanWeb 2.0 has malware alerts, data breach alerts, a pop-up blocker, and an ad blocker. You can use CleanWeb 2.0 with Chrome, Firefox, or Edge by downloading the Surfshark VPN browser extension. Surfshark’s regular CleanWeb can be used with any device that has the VPN app installed, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and also smart TVs.
   
   See Surfshark Plans | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

10. Good VPN services cost money

To get a trustworthy and reputable VPN, you’ll need to pay for a VPN service. The price of a VPN depends on the features you want, and most, if not all, VPN services give better pricing if you commit to a 1- or 2-year contract.

You can find a VPN for a minimal monthly cost, depending on the length of the commitment you agree to. Many VPNs also offer a money-back guarantee for up to 45 days, so you can get a refund if the VPN isn’t meeting your needs. There are other ways to save money on a VPN subscription, such as waiting for holiday sales or taking advantage of a student discount.

Top VPN providers, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, often offer promotional deals. 

When you should use a VPN

Although there are reasons not to use a VPN, there are also many advantages to using one. A VPN is a valuable tool for boosting your online security and anonymity. When privacy is your first concern, a VPN is a great solution. Here are a few more situations where a VPN can protect your privacy and let you safely and confidently browse the web.

1. When using public Wi-Fi: If you’re accessing personal information, such as bank accounts or email accounts, through a public Wi-Fi connection, consider using a VPN to encrypt your activity and protect that information.
2. Accessing geo-restricted content: Whether you’re traveling abroad or want to watch a blacked-out MLB game, you can use a VPN to mask your IP address and stream geo-restricted content. You can also use a VPN to mask your location, allowing you to access Netflix libraries from other countries and enjoy a broader range of content.
3. Avoiding censorship: Whether your company blocks social media or you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t allow access to certain types of content, a VPN can help you circumvent restrictions.
4. For remote work: Your employer may require you to log into a VPN to access confidential or proprietary information. This is usually a policy set by your company, and most provide a specific VPN connection to use. 

Best VPNs for online privacy and security

If you want to enhance your online privacy and security but require advanced security features, these tested VPN providers offer fast, secure, and highly rated services. Best of all, these VPN apps come with all the bells and whistles, including a larger server network, unlimited simultaneous connections, and fast connection speeds.

FAQs

Bottom line: Should I use a VPN?

To VPN or not to VPN is much easier than understanding Shakespeare. The need for a VPN is largely based on your internet activity and what you plan to do.

The great thing about a VPN is that you can turn it on for certain activities and turn it off once you no longer need it. If you’re using public Wi-Fi and need to access your finances, turning on the VPN while doing so provides added protection. Many of the best VPN services offer split tunneling, which provides more control over which apps use the VPN and which ones don't.

On the other hand, if you’re just casually browsing the internet from your home Wi-Fi network, using a VPN may not be necessary. But if you want to unblock geo-restricted streaming content, encrypt your internet activities, keep your browsing history private, and more, then a VPN is a must-have security tool.