Last Updated on 1 year by Komolafe Bamidele
Are you scared of using a VPN designed for changing your location IP address and some other details?
Or probably you don’t trust most of the free VPNs but you love to protect your privacy?
Then this web page is the ultimate page that explains safer and free alternatives to Virtual Private Network (VPN).
You should be aware that developers don’t like selling their ideas for free.
While the free VPN alternatives we discussed in this guide are good, premium VPNs are quite amazing for you also.
Moreover, you should be aware that any free thing has its limitations. Don’t expect the free VPN alternatives we’re going here to have uninterrupted streaming speed.
What is VPN?
First of all, VPN is an abbreviation that stands for “Virtual Private Network”.
VPN is a method, way, or act of using a protected private network when you’re connected to public networks.
VPN will hide your real identity online by encrypting your internet traffic and using another virtual server to display your data to your online activities.
For instance – when you’re using VPN to visit some websites, those third-party websites cannot track your identity.
The reason for this is that your data is being served by another private server.
With VPN you can bypass protocols – you may have come across some web pages that allow visitors from a certain country to read their content.
If you use a VPN (whether free or premium version), you may be able to bypass such a protocol.
Also one of the merits of VPN is that your virtual information will be changed in real-time.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a VPN?
Anytime you’re using VPN to hide your identity online, know that not all your information is being hidden.
Most times only the information that your VPN grabs from your device is being encrypted.
If you’re using a free VPN, the disadvantages are quite huge unless you want to bypass the country restriction.
Do you know that VPNs are illegal in some countries and once you’re detected, your access to that platform will be limited?
Using free VPNs most of the time is even worse than when browsing with your real identity.
For instance – when you work with top companies like Google, with free VPN, you may be banned because their robots are very intelligent.
Is a VPN Actually Necessary?
As VPN is a virtual private network, it is relevant for securing your online privacy.
If you don’t want your information to be seen publicly, using VPN is one of the best options for you.
Moreover, VPN works perfectly both on your computer and also on your mobile devices. The necessity of VPNs lies in what you wish to achieve with them.
If you want to bypass some platform’s region restrictions, using VPN is very necessary; as even the free ones can help you to change your country’s location.
Moreover, when working with high secured companies like Google, we don’t recommend using VPN because all your browsing history is being stored in their server.
What Does a VPN Not Protect You From?
When using VPN, always know that it will not protect your virtual information from websites that are not secured.
Even when you’re using VPN, if you enter some of your data, it will still be exposed to the back end of those insecure websites.
One funny thing is that when using VPN and claiming that you are protected if you mistakenly download malware, it will affect your device.
When you’re using VPN, all the attacks that don’t need your IP address will still hit you.
While your IP address is protected with a VPN, hacking websites can still inject some files and codes into your device.
Meanwhile, VPNs will not encrypt your traffic technically. When an endpoint of an activity you carry out is meant to be plain text, VPN cannot bypass such protocol.
When using VPN, only a little information the VPN fetches from your device will be protected.
Can VPN Expose Your Bank Account?
VPN is very important when using your bank details online. By using a VPN your sensitive bank details will be hidden from hackers as they won’t know the exact identity that bears the bank details they are seeing.
Using a VPN for transactions is quite safe as your details will be encrypted and hidden from being seen.
VPN will mask your banking details such as passwords and other sensitive bank info that you may insert into online platforms like websites or apps.
Moreover, there are certain cons of using VPN; especially the free ones.
If you’re using a free hacked VPN, your bank details may be spied on as their server has control over your device.
And all information that is going out from your device will first pass the VPN before getting to its destination.
7 Best VPN Alternatives Safer & Better than a VPN?
While these VPN alternatives are good, commercial VPN like NordVPN remains the best; as they have advanced protection features for your data, device, and location.
Almost all the VPN alternatives have slow speeds because their features are quite limited.
Below are the top VPN alternatives that you may need:
#1. Smart DNS
Smart DNS is a new technology that is based on using your device’s DNS (Domain Name Server) to bypass limitations in websites and apps.
This VPN alternative has almost the same function as the way your device proxy server route interchanges your virtual address,
with the help of a remote server and then hides the IP address of your physical location.
Moreover, the Smart DNS can help to increase your internet speed than when you’re using a VPN.
The reason for this is that VPN will surely request some bandwidth when encrypting your data.
Smart DNS does not encrypt your data, because it utilizes your device proxy server and renders all connections faster.
To use the Smart DNS, just change the DNS settings of your device.
#2. Build Your Own VPN Server
To build your VPN server which is designed for personal use only, follow the below steps:
- Select your desired hosting
- Run the hosting software on their cloud virtual private server.
- The majority of cloud providers like Amazon Web Services will give you access to achieve this.
- Select your city and use your main home router’s VPN server – this will aid full functionality.
- By using these settings, you can be able to access your home network remotely.
#3. Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)
Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) which is also well-known as black cloud is a security framework that helps control access to your device resources based on some factors like your identity.
This helps to establish secure virtual demarcation among assets that are connected to the internet.
It also secures user activity with the help of some internal functions that it has.
#4. Use a Decentralized VPN (DPN)
A decentralized VPN is simply a VPN that doesn’t have any general company.
This means that there is no root server for it and tracking an IP address that is generated by a Decentralized VPN is quite hard.
It works almost similar to Bitcoin; as there is no central location or server for it.
Decentralized VPN is one of the best alternatives to VPN as there is no central server that can spy on your details.
#5. Use Psiphon App – SSH Tunneling
Psiphon is an open-source app that can be used to change your internet IP address through its SSH Tunneling.
The Psiphon app is commonly used in African countries such as Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, etc.
This app enables users to enhance their online privacy by providing them with lots of features.
#6. Use TOR or a TOR-like service
TOR is simply a free browser that helps users to secure their data while performing some activities online.
Although this app is quite slow because it has lots of features. Users should know that this free browser does not encrypt all their information.
It usually leaks some of your information to online platforms.
#7. Mobile Hotspot as a VPN Alternative
While you may see free hotspot networks in public places, it is not advisable to connect to them. especially when you’re releasing some sensitive information online.
In this digital age, you can even use your mobile phone to turn on a hotspot which can be used on any available device.
By browsing with your network, you’re free from any malicious attacks or your data that can be spied on by your VPN server.
Why You Might Still May Need A VPN
By default, the ISP in your device will automatically set up your connection anytime you request an internet connection.
This will track your device’s IP address and serve it to any platform that you’re connecting to with your device.
When you connect to a VPN, it will disguise your info online and also protects you from any external request that is not genuine.
VPN also gives you a secure connection that allows you to browse some websites that restrict your location.
Conclusion
This guide explained in detail the best VPN alternatives that you can use freely even without making any payment.
We discussed what VPN can do for you including its merits and its negative effects.