Is there any good free browser vpn?

[Xdqwerty]

First i tried holavpn and then i heard it has a botnet so i deleted it, and then i tried protonvpn but you need to pay to use the browser version.

 

[kijetesantakalu042]

Free vpns are free because they steal your data. Unless you want to change your browser location to access region blocked content, you really don't need one

 

[tech3475]

What exactly are you using it for?

On a side note, if you do go down the paid route, make sure to check for any cashback.

 

[Xdqwerty]

if you do go down the paid route

Never

 

[tech3475]

Never

I refer you to my first question then, which I ask because if it's just for e.g. free porn then maybe look at Tor.

 

[linuxares]

Use TOR?

 

[The Catboy]

TOR is the closest ya getting

 

[SylverReZ]

TOR is the closest ya getting

Although TOR is still safe to use, law enforcement are finding ways to de-anonymize users by using what is called 'timing attacks' that were discovered back in 2011 and is still being used today. Still, TOR is a good way of protecting yourself, but make sure you don't use your personal accounts on TOR.

VPNs are in a vulnerable state, and while yes it can hide your location, hackers can intercept traffic to steal data like we've seen in the case of many major VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, same with 'free' VPN extensions. And for the love of god, don't EVER use VPNs in public hotspots, as you are more at risk.

Free VPN extensions do not protect you, as they contain malware and extra tracking of your browser to find out what you do. And because these extensions come from China, it's no surprise that they can steal your data.

 

[tech3475]

Although TOR is still safe to use, law enforcement are finding ways to de-anonymize users by using what is called 'timing attacks' that were discovered back in 2011 and is still being used today. Still, TOR is a good way of protecting yourself, but make sure you don't use your personal accounts on TOR.

VPNs are in a vulnerable state, and while yes it can hide your location, hackers can intercept traffic to steal data like we've seen in the case of many major VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, same with 'free' VPN extensions. And for the love of god, don't EVER use VPNs in public hotspots, as you are more at risk.

Free VPN extensions do not protect you, as they contain malware and extra tracking of your browser to find out what you do. And because these extensions come from China, it's no surprise that they can steal your data.

I presume you're referring to this:
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.p...-new-tunnelling-protocol-vulnerabilities.html

Note that but all protocols are affected e.g. wireguard

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Necrobump? Well I know for sure @Xdqwerty brought up this question very recently again so why not?

What the f... is a browser VPN? Just connect your whole computer to a VPN.
For Android I know for sure free version of Proton works as intended. Install app, sign into free account, connect... and all of your traffic - not only your browser - goes through their servers.

I didn't try Proton on Windows or Linux PCs though (using Mullvad which I personally can recommend: Very happy with their no-BS approach).

Like mentioned in profile messages before: Don't fall for ads of shady companies telling you their VPN was a silver bullet against online threats on the one side... and self-important YouTubers telling you (all) VPNs are useless on the other side.

A VPN can:

• Shift trust from your internet service provider to the VPN provider (and into another country most likely)
  • Your ISP can't see what you're doing, but the VPN provider can
  • A not trustworthy VPN -- like most free ones -- is dangerous
• Circumvent certain kinds of censorship and/or geoblocking
• Encrypt unencrypted traffic (which should be almost non-existing by now)

A VPN can't:

• Make you fully anonymous
  • (There are a few developments promising otherwise like NymVPN -- I didn't look into that and do not have enough knowledge to assess such things)
  • TOR is the best we have right now for this
• Protect your computer from malware and "hackers"
  • Use up to date operating system, software, firmware and brain.exe for that task

A negative consequence of using VPN for everything is being blocked on various sites. Blocking can be fully or having to solve Captchas or having to sign in (YouTube). If your goal is getting rid of censorship Proton should do. It is the only free VPN where I would say: Good enough.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[hippy dave]

Free vpns are free because they steal your data. Unless you want to change your browser location to access region blocked content, you really don't need one

I use Windscribe's free tier for this. Turn it off the rest of the time tho.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Necrobump?

I don't think it counts as necrobump if the thread never had any replies before

 

[Dust2dust]

I've been using free Proton a bit lately on Linux, and I'm impressed. Lots of free servers to choose from and good speed. I wouldn't do everything on a VPN though. It's just to change the location the website I'm visiting can see. I wouldn't do any banking on a VPN, for example. I would use TOR, but why is it so darn slow? I feel like I'm back to using a 56k modem in the early 2000's when I'm using TOR.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

I don't think it counts as necrobump if the thread never had any replied before

Strange that it got no replies. Sometimes interesting topics aren't noticed for whatever reason.

I've been using free Proton a bit lately on Linux, and I'm impressed. Lots of free servers to choose from and good speed. I wouldn't do everything on a VPN though. It's just to change the location the website I'm visiting can see. I wouldn't do any banking on a VPN, for example. I would use TOR, but why is it so darn slow? I feel like I'm back to using a 56k modem in the early 2000's when I'm using TOR.

TOR has become a lot faster compared to some years ago. Speed really depends on the route it currently selected. Asking for a new identity can drastically improve speed. A few MB/s are usually possible. It can't compare with speeds usually achieved by good connections nowadays but browsing and even watching a video should work.
Huge up/downloads can be quite boring, but unless in TB range even this is manageable. Disposable Whonix VMs inside Qubes OS aren't unusable and that routes everything through TOR.

As for banking: Some banks outright ban access through proxies, VPNs and TOR. And since your real identity is already known to the bank there is no need to use anything like that.

For pretty much everything but banking and shopping I have Mullvad active since there is no real downside using it either.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Strange that it got no replies. Sometimes interesting topics aren't noticed for whatever reason.

Perhaps people who would want to reply to it arent online when the thread is in the "Recent content" window

 

[Marc_LFD]

First i tried holavpn and then i heard it has a botnet so i deleted it, and then i tried protonvpn but you need to pay to use the browser version.

You don't need to pay for the Proton VPN, but if you want a bigger choice of countries and features... Yes.

There's not a whole lot of free VPNs I'd recommend other than Proton and Windscribe (60GB p/m if you have an old account with it activated).

I bought Windscribe's Lifetime Subscription in 2018 for $28 and it was a brilliant investment, I don't use it all the time, although it is useful.

Post automatically merged: Feb 7, 2025

I've been using free Proton a bit lately on Linux, and I'm impressed. Lots of free servers to choose from and good speed. I wouldn't do everything on a VPN though. It's just to change the location the website I'm visiting can see. I wouldn't do any banking on a VPN, for example. I would use TOR, but why is it so darn slow? I feel like I'm back to using a 56k modem in the early 2000's when I'm using TOR.

Isn't it just three servers available? Think so.

If on Windows/Android, there's no choice, it connects automatically. It really is disappointing they did this while on Linux we can still choose (far as I can remember).

 

[Deleted member 737209]

NymVPN

What exactly does NymVPN do which Mullvad doesn't? When I discovered Mullvad I was extremely impressed with its DAITA, multihopping and quantum resistant encryption features. And they have third-party audits.