More and more people are turning to VPN apps to boost their privacy and security on their Android devices. Far less, however, realize the potential risk of downloading the wrong one.
Google’s latest fraud advisory alert has sounded the alarm about the rising threats of malicious VPN and warned that some dodgy VPNs could be spyware in disguise – and it’s far from the first time this year these risks have been identified.
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As the demand for VPNs continue to increase − especially as mandatory age verification is introduced around the world − cybercriminals are actively looking to exploit people’s interest.
Talking to TechRadar, Daniel Card, a cyber-security expert and a Fellow of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, explains that among the threats, malicious free VPN services could turn your device into part of a rotating proxy service. In other words a botnet, which allows hackers to spread malware across devices.
“We have been discussing, as a community, VPNs and the risks they pose for a long time now. We had started to make some headway on this with public education and awareness. Then the UK Online Safety Act seems to have undone all of that,” said Card.
Not all free VPN apps are malicious, but many do carry risks. That’s because running the infrastructure needed for a VPN is expensive and if they aren’t charging a subscription, then free VPN providers might resort to profiting off your data – exactly the sort of thing you’re trying to avoid by downloading a VPN in the first place.
Commenting on this point, Card said: “The rule tends to apply: if it’s free, you are the product.”
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