VPNs are a simple way to protect your privacy online, but using them incorrectly can do more harm than good.

What precautions need to be taken while using a VPN?

A VPN is the easiest way to protect your online privacy. With just one tap, a VPN can do everything from changing your IP address to encrypting your traffic. A VPN also prevents your Internet service provider from knowing what you're doing online. While VPNs offer many benefits, it's crucial to use them correctly. Mistakes can cause more harm than good.

These mistakes need to be avoided.

Using a free VPN for everything - Most people use free VPNs for internet browsing. These claim to provide full protection, but in reality, they don't. VPNs require many components, including servers and bandwidth, which require money. Even if a VPN doesn't charge you, it may be recording your browsing activity or showing you ads. Many VPNs also sell your personal data to third parties.

Blindly trusting a VPN - While a VPN can mask your IP address and encrypt your traffic, it's not foolproof. It can't make you invisible on the internet. Even with a VPN, websites can still track you through cookies, and the activity of the account you're logged into isn't hidden. Therefore, don't assume a VPN will make you invisible.

Connecting to the nearest server - Many VPNs connect you to the nearest or fastest server, but this also has its drawbacks. Sometimes the nearest server is overloaded, or you need an IP address from a specific country to access content. 

Turning the VPN on and off at the wrong times - Some people use the VPN all the time, while others turn it on whenever they remember. Both are bad habits. Remember to keep the VPN off when you're at home and accessing banking or other services through a trusted, secure network. This will prevent slow connections. Similarly, you should always keep the VPN on when using public Wi-Fi.