Are VPNs Safe and Legal? What You Need to Know Before Using One

There are a lot of things people can do online that aren’t legal. Downloading pirated movies, for example, is one of them. Many people have heard about VPNs, or virtual private networks. They know using a VPN can hide their IP address, masking a person’s actual location. And it works! If you’re in New York City, you can make the world think you’re in Australia. It’s so wondrous that it makes a lot of people wonder… Is it even legal to use a VPN? In most of the world, it is perfectly legal to use a virtual private network, or VPN. It’s true that VPNs are fully banned in some countries, and restricted in others, where you can be fined or imprisoned for using one. * Not Sure Which VPN to Choose? Let Our Tool Help! Take me there Choose the Right VPN Not Sure Which VPN to Choose? Let Our Tool Help! VPNs were originally used by big businesses to create a secure network for their organizations. Today, the use of a VPN offers the average person advantages and benefits such as: The question of legality around VPN usage arises because a VPN makes uses encryption to make your connection to the internet private – both anonymous and untraceable – which poses a problem for authorities in countries with strong censorship. Similarly, tools like VPNs or adblockers are legal in most parts of the world and serve to enhance user privacy and control over their online experience. Of course, it is also the elements of anonymity and privacy that make VPNs attractive to malicious characters out to break the law. While using a VPN is mostly legal, online activities that are illegal without a VPN remain illegal while using one. These include: In fact, most VPN’s Terms of Service indicate that carrying out illegal activity is not allowed and users will assume all liability for any criminal behavior. There is also usually a clause stating any suspected fraudulent, abusive or illegal activity may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities – and they have done so in the past. Note that accessing services like Netflix over VPN isn’t illegal; however, it is a breach of their Terms of Use: “You may view the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such content.” This means that if you signed up for Netflix in South Korea and you’re trying to access Netflix original content from the US using a VPN, you are effectively in breach of contract and Netflix reserves the right to terminate or restrict your use of their service. Bottom line? In a large part of the world, using a VPN within reason allows you to experience the Internet the way it was intended – a free-flowing hub of information that you can safely and securely access without undue limits. Check our list of VPN Service Providers to help you pick a fast, secure VPN service that’s right for you! *VPNs are fully banned in Iraq, Turkmenistan, Belarus, North Korea, and restricted in Turkey. The use of VPN may lead to administrative sanctions and fines. In countries like China, Russia, Iran, UAE (for individuals) and Oman, only government-approved VPNs are allowed and penalties can range from fines of $1,300 up to $400,000 and possible imprisonment