Free VPNs could expose users to financial fraud

He said users should first establish whether a VPN provider was credible before installing its application or allowing it to handle their internet traffic.

“A VPN routes internet traffic through an intermediary server and can help conceal a user’s IP address from websites. However, the service provider may be able to observe some information about the user’s connection, depending on the service’s configuration and privacy practices,” said Tshinseki.

Tshinseki said users should not assume that connecting through a VPN automatically guaranteed complete anonymity or protection against cybercrime.

He added that concealing an IP address did not necessarily prevent investigators from identifying a person, as other digital evidence could potentially be used to establish their identity or location.

“ Internet users can reduce their exposure to financial fraud by downloading applications from trusted sources, checking VPN providers’ privacy and security practices, using official banking applications and never sharing their PINs or passwords with third parties”, he noted.

Tshinseki said exercising caution when choosing digital security tools was important as people increasingly relied on internet-based services for everyday financial transactions.

Article by Karen Ngulube