What is a VPN? Can it really protect my online privacy and security?
How to browse the internet away from big tech and prying eyes.
We already know that Congress is debating back and forth about whether or not TikTok should be banned in the States due to the potential risk of American data being handed over to the Chinese government.
While a lot of focus is on that, there are other apps readily available and being downloaded that are designed by China that could be even more dangerous. Here's what we know so far.
What apps with China connections are dangerous?
The apps that are in question are VPN apps for iPhones and Androids that have parent companies based in China or other parts of Asia. VPNs are great, especially when you want to browse the web privately and safeguard against hackers, especially when you're traveling internationally.
However, some VPNs are capable of accessing the very information you want to keep private, including encrypted email content and banking information, and there are lots of popular ones out there that have misled their customers.
VPNs are great, especially when you want to browse the web privately and safeguard against hackers, especially when you're traveling internationally. (Kurt Knutsson)
MY VPN KEEPS ME PRIVATE AND SECURE, SHOULD I EVER TURN IT OFF?
For example, TurboVPN is a popular VPN app, especially among Android users. However, the app has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors and was found by AppEsteem to be installing root certificates, which allowed them to tell the computer to trust any application that it authorized.
Signal Lab is another company that owns multiple top VPN apps, and that company's exact location is unclear. However, in its terms of service, they reserve the right to monitor any user’s activity for anything suspected of being objectionable, which pretty much means they can look into anything you're doing whether you expect privacy or not.
Turbo VPN has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors and was found by AppEsteem to be installing root certificates, which allowed them to tell the computer to trust any application that it authorized. (Turbo VPN)
Does this mean VPNs are not really safe?
I believe that VPNs are generally safe, however, this new information is a bit concerning. I would say that before using any VPNs, you should definitely do your research. Study up on a VPN's privacy policies and see where its parent companies are based. See how many reviews a particular app you're looking at has and make sure it's from a legit source like the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.
DELETE THIS MALICIOUS EXTENSION AND STOP HACKERS FROM STEALING YOUR GMAIL MESSAGES
For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/VPN.
For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/VPN. (Kurt Knutsson)
My # 1 pick has fantastic privacy settings and won't log your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination or metadata, or DNS queries. Plus, all servers run only on RAM, so your data is never stored on a hard drive.
Are you concerned about these VPN apps? Let us know your thoughts.
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