Can a VPN be Tracked or Hacked?

Can a VPN anonymize you and secure your internet connection or can your ISP and hackers still see what you do online and track you back? Read on to know if a VPN can be traced or hacked

Like many others, do you also wonder whether a VPN can be tracked or hacked? This question is quite common among VPN users as many do not want their personal data to be exposed and do not want anyone to snoop into their online activities.

A VPN is an anonymity tool that will encrypt your online traffic and keep you secure and private while you browse the web. It is totally fine to be unsure of whether a VPN can still be hacked and whether your personal data can be exposed. This article aims at explaining how a VPN secures your internet connection. Read on to know if a VPN can be hacked or traced.

Can a VPN be Hacked?

It is close to impossible to hack a VPN. VPN services have thousands of servers across the globe and VPN services also do not store any data. Most trustworthy VPNs follow a strict no-logs policy which means, they do not store any personal data no matter what. So if hackers try to hack into the VPN you are using, they may not be able to gain users’ personal data. Neither do the VPNs store personal data, nor do they share it with third parties.

VPNs might store minimal data like your email ID, but even if they get hacked, hackers will not get their hands on much of your personal information that could help them track you back. Likewise, whatever little personal data VPNs store will get deleted once users log out.

Can I Be Tracked Online?

Anyone can easily be tracked online. However, tracking and hacking are two different things altogether. If you happen to download a malware-infected file accidentally and store it on your device, the malware you stored can help hackers steal your personal data and see what you do online. Likewise, you are more likely to get tracked by accepting cookies on certain websites. Your rough location can be identified using your IP address and the best way to prevent yourself from being tracked using your IP address is by using a VPN.

Can I Be Tracked Using a VPN?

Hackers may be able to track you while using a VPN, but the chances are quite slim. If you are using a premium VPN service that follows a strict no-logs policy, then the chances of someone tracking your online activities are almost nil. Most of all, since a VPN will encrypt your connection, the data anyone who tracks your activities collects will be of no use to them. This is with premium VPNs that come with stringent security features and not free VPNs that claim to be as secure as the former.

Free VPNs may not follow a strict no-logs policy and they will actually be making money by selling your data. So this will make it easy for third parties to track you online when you use an unsecure free VPN. This is one strong reason why it is good to stick to a premium VPN service. With a trustworthy VPN, your data will be secure and you can browse the web anonymously without fear of being monitored by hackers or your ISP.

How Does a VPN Keep My Data Secure and Private?

A VPN will keep your data secure by encrypting your internet connection. By using AES 256-bit encryption standard, a VPN will shield your online activities so that hackers and other third parties cannot see what you do online. This applies to your ISP as well, where a VPN will also hide your online activities from your ISP.

Remember, this does not apply to all VPN services and it is important to pay close attention to security features while picking a VPN. Make sure the VPN uses 256-bit encryption to encrypt your connection and comes with features like kill switch, leak protection, etc. It should also follow a strict zero-logs policy. Let’s look at the top VPN security features a VPN should offer in detail.

No Logs Policy

It is wise to go for a VPN with a strict no-logs policy as a no-logs VPN provider will not store any of your data, be it browsing history or login information. With a no-logs VPN service, your personal data will remain private and no third party can get their hands on your personal data. Such a VPN service will protect your anonymity and keep you completely secure and private online. So, even if a hacker happens to gain access and hack into your VPN, your data will not be exposed as there is nothing stored. We strongly recommend going for a VPN that does not log any data and follows a strict no-logs policy.

IP Leak Protection

A VPN anonymizes its users by masking their IP addresses and preventing third parties from tracking them. A VPN will assign you a different IP address and hide your real location. It will make it appear like you are browsing from a different location, so you cannot be tracked back using your IP address. However, the VPN has to offer IP leak protection to ensure your IP address doesn’t leak accidentally. Check for reviews before you choose a VPN as some VPNs have flaws, as a result of which their users’ IP addresses leak. Or, you can also test a VPN yourself using its free trial or the money-back guarantee. NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, and ExpressVPN are among the top VPN services that offer a money-back guarantee to let their users try their services.

Kill Switch

Kill switch is a mandatory VPN security feature. As the name claims, this feature will automatically disconnect your device from the internet if at all the VPN connection drops. This kill switch will exit websites and other programs if your VPN connection drops or becomes unstable. This specific feature will almost eliminate the risk of your personal data getting leaked when the VPN connection drops.

VPN Protocols

A VPN protocol is used by a VPN to establish a connection between your device and the internet. While some VPN protocols focus on security, some prioritize speed. So, it is up to you to choose a protocol based on your need. There are different VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, PPTP, etc. OpenVPN focuses on speed and security and this makes it a popular choice.

Best VPNs have Never Been Tracked or Hacked

Check out our reviews on the top VPNs and make your choice wisely.