Overlooking Privacy Policies
A large amount of people install free VPN extensions without reading the terms of service and privacy policy for the service first. As was previously stated, most free services have to generate revenue to pay for the service to be offered to users, and many do this by logging user data and selling this data to third parties. In many cases this is completely against the users' goals when they opted to use a VPN to begin with. Reading the terms of service and the privacy policy for the VPN service that you are interested in installing as a free extension should be a priority to you in order to avoid any surprises that may be negative for you.
Assuming All Free VPNs Are Created Equal
It's also worth noting that even free VPNs aren't created equal. Many people mistakenly assume that because they downloaded a VPN then they are protected. However, there are many VPNs that are actually just simple proxies that don't provide any encryption whatsoever and could potentially put you in greater danger. Other VPNs simply may not provide access to the content you're looking to unlock even in geo-blocked countries. Be sure to look into the limits of a free VPN prior to installing it as a Chrome extension to use for your daily online activities.
Ignoring Connection Security Features
Most free VPN services limit their VPN extensions to basic features to keep their costs down. As such, the security features enabled by the extension will typically be very basic and not provide much protection at all. In most cases, they will not even provide any encryption at all and act as simple proxy servers. Even if a VPN does provide encryption and additional security features, they may not be enabled by default. This is why you need to check out the connection security features offered by a free VPN before signing up for it. Look for features like strong encryption and a kill switch. The kill switch feature will automatically disconnect your Internet connection if the VPN connection drops for any reason to prevent your real IP address from being exposed.
Assuming Performance is Not an Issue
Just because you have connected to a VPN server, does not necessarily mean that your online experience is going to be enhanced. Most free VPN services will decrease your Internet connection speed. Because most of the free VPN servers are overwhelmed with users, the experience can be very frustrating, especially for those who use the Internet for streaming, online gaming and for other bandwidth intensive activities. You should test the speed of the VPN extension before you decide to use it for your daily browsing activities.
Failing to Select the Right VPN for Your Needs
Another error associated with using free VPN extensions for Chrome is the common mistake of selecting the wrong VPN for your needs and requirements. When picking a VPN extension for free to download and install on your browser, there are many services to choose from but some of them are better than others. Many users pick a free service to unlock content from abroad but they can find a service that is better than others. The service Browsec VPN for Chrome is very good at unlocking services such as US Netflix and other geo-blocked streaming services.
Neglecting Browser Compatibility
Also people tend to forget that besides Chrome, you also have other browsers like Firefox and Safari. Sometimes VPN extension for Chrome are made for Chrome only and don't work on other platforms. This could lead to the worst kind of privacy issues when you are not aware of them. Always check if the service you want to use is compatible with all the platforms you use.
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Not Regularly Updating the VPN Extension
Many users fail to remember that VPNs, in the form of VPN extensions for Chrome, are software which should be updated regularly. If updates are not installed, then there may be hidden security flaws in the service, which could be compromised by hackers. Updates are generally released to patch up security issues and improve performance of the VPN in question, so make sure you allow for updates to be installed for your chosen VPN service.
Ignoring User Reviews and Reputation
Finally, user reviews are another great source of information to help determine whether a free VPN service or extension is right for you. Don't just take one or two negative comments to heart as they may be caused by one reason or another. More often than not, negative comments will highlight the service's data collection policy, low speeds or even complete inability to access geo-blocked content. Conversely, good reviews will usually point out the positive aspects of a VPN service and help you to understand just how effective a free VPN extension for Chrome is for you. Read reviews on forums and online discussion boards that you trust and ensure that you get the best possible VPN service for your needs.
Securing your online presence when looking at ground-up solutions for online security will require attention to the above issues with free VPN extensions in order to avoid the most common mistakes with free VPN extensions. Learn to recognize them in order to provide you with the best free VPN experience online. Consider what your needs are for online protection, read the small print to find out what they do with your information online, and only use the best VPNs for your online activities when you have a budget for them. Online privacy is critical in this digital age.
