VPNs that spy on you

Using a VPN? Better make sure it’s not on this list.

VPNs are supposed to keep you safe. They encrypt your internet traffic and hide your location from hackers, ISPs and creepy ad trackers. 

But what if the app was secretly collecting browsing data, location, everything you type, anything you do, then selling it all to who knows who?

You guessed it. Researchers just flagged at least 21 free VPN apps for being dangerously insecure and misleading. They look totally different on the surface, i.e., security-centric names, flashy logos and even glowing customer reviews. Spoiler: Some are linked to communist China. 

⚠️ These aren’t obscure apps

These VPNs racked up almost a billion downloads on the Apple App Store and Google Play. That’s huge. 

Here are the VPNs to delete right now:

Turbo VPN, Turbo VPN Lite, VPN Monster, VPN Proxy Master, VPN Proxy Master – Lite, Snap VPN, Robot VPN, SuperNet VPN, VPNIFY, VPN Proxy OvpnSpider, WireVPN – Fast VPN & Proxy, Now VPN, Speedy Quark VPN, Best VPN Proxy AppVPN, HulaVPN, PearlVPN, Signal Secure VPN, VPN Guru, SmartVPN, iRocketVPN, and LinkVPN.

🚫 How to remove a shady VPN

Simply deleting these apps isn’t enough. You need to do more. Note: I’ve checked the steps, but these may vary depending on your device’s make, model and operating system version.

📱 On iPhone and iPad:

1. Tap and hold the app icon, then select Remove App > Delete App.
2. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see a VPN configuration tied to the app, tap it and hit Delete VPN.
3. Restart your phone to clear any cached data.

📱 On Android:

1. Before uninstalling, go to Settings > Apps > [VPN Name] > Storage > Clear cache and Clear data.
2. Long-press the app icon, select Uninstall, or go to Settings > Apps > [VPN Name] > Uninstall.
3. Go to Settings > Network & internet or Connections > [VPN Name], tap the gear next to the VPN, then select Forget VPN or Delete.
4. Restart your phone for good measure.

To be extra safe, check your phone’s Location or Background Activity permissions and remove anything the VPN had access to. 

🔐 When it’s free, you’re the product

If you want a VPN that protects you, I personally use ExpressVPN, a longtime sponsor of my national radio show. It’s fast, easy to use and has a strict no-logs policy. 

ExpressVPN doesn’t track what you do online. Period. It’s been independently audited (multiple times), runs its own secure servers and doesn’t cut corners or steal your data like those free, shady apps.

If you travel, work remotely, shop online or just don’t want your internet provider watching everything you do, click or tap here to get 4 extra months free when you sign up.

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