Which Banks Block VPNs?

Last summer, popular VPN provider ZenVPN released a new feature for their desktop application that made banks more suspicious. A little-known company named Privitar released a zero-knowledge proof system for Tor, a free and open-source network that provides anonymous Internet access, which they used to offer one of their own products. This product, called Private Internet Access, or PIA for short, was designed to mimic the features of a traditional VPN, but without giving users any identifying information about themselves. Privitar responded by changing the way VPNs function on their network and others might follow suit.

How VPNs Work

Banks and cryptocurrency exchanges have long partnered with VPN providers to ensure that the people who use their services cannot access criminal websites or cryptocurrency-related addresses. With the explosion of interest in cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and related businesses, all kinds of scammers have sprung up to take advantage of users. Sadly, this also includes some VPNs that used to be considered trustworthy.

To protect themselves from these types of threats, users are increasingly turning to virtual private networks to create semi-private spaces on the public Internet. When they connect to a VPN, their computer or device will act as a middleman, securing their communication with remote servers.

Traditional banks and Bitcoin exchanges see this as a security risk because it means they can’t control who has access to their services. Instead of using a VPN, these institutions prefer to limit access to customers who meet certain requirements. For example, many large banks will only work with customers who live in certain countries and will only accept transactions from certain countries as well. They also don’t want to leave any trace of their customers’ activity on the network.

Why Are Banks Suspicious of VPNs?

VPNs, cryptocurrency exchanges and other technology-related businesses are a lucrative target for scammers. Some of these threats are so sophisticated that they can infect your computer with malware or trick you into handing over sensitive information, like your bank login data. These types of attacks are often referred to as a ‘man in the middle’ attack.

Banks and credit card companies are also concerned about customers trying to hide their activity, which many VPNs allow. While it is not always easy for banks to confirm a customer’s identity, they can usually do so. If they can’t verify a customer’s identity, then it becomes much more difficult to track down the person who opened the account or requested a loan. At the very least, they’ll have to do a lot more research to find the right person.

Is It Safer to Use a VPN?

Given the risks that come with using a VPN, it is important to consider where you are going to use it and for how long. If you are doing your banking, researching online stores or buying cryptocurrency, then it is highly recommended that you use a VPN.

If you are not sure whether or not a VPN is safe to use, then it is a good idea to consult the vendor’s website or contact customer support. In most cases, you will be able to find a trusted VPN provider that you can use to secure your Internet connection.

Is It Possible to Earn Money With a VPN?

It is always possible to make money with a VPN, but it takes a lot of effort and a certain level of technical knowledge to do so. For example, with PureVPN you can earn a passive income by letting them handle all the techy stuff and you can spend your time enjoying a much safer and more private browsing experience. With a VPN, it is always possible to earn a few pennies from ads or subscriptions but, for the most part, you are not going to make sufficient money to cover your costs. It is also important to consider whether or not you are going to use a free VPN, a paid VPN or something in between. The reason for this is that, oftentimes, free VPNs are just that – free. As a result, you might find that you are automatically logged in to a number of websites that you do not want to be on the record of. In these situations, you are better off using a premium VPN that you can pay for once you are done browsing anonymously. Free VPNs are usually unreliable and, in many cases, malware-ridden. This is why many banks and credit card companies strongly recommend against using them.

With a VPN, it is always possible to earn a few pennies from ads or subscriptions, but, for the most part, you are not going to make sufficient money to cover your costs. It is also important to consider whether or not you are going to use a free VPN, a paid VPN or something in between. The reason for this is that, oftentimes, free VPNs are just that – free. As a result, you might find that you are automatically logged in to a number of websites that you do not want to be on the record of. In these situations, you are better off using a premium VPN that you can pay for once you are done browsing anonymously.

Protecting Your Identity

It is one thing to use a VPN to protect your privacy, but it is another thing entirely to keep your identity secure. When you use a VPN to protect your identity, you are essentially creating a semi-private environment within the confines of the public Internet. As a result, you are also leaving a digital trail that could potentially lead back to you. VPNs are useful for this because they allow you to take a second identity when browsing the web. In most cases, all you need to do is choose a random name for your account and register with an email address that is unique to you. Most importantly, you should make sure that you change your password frequently in case someone hacks into your account. As a result, all the websites and companies that you connect to will see a boost in activity as well. This could potentially lead back to you.

Final Takeaway

In the coming months and years, it is likely that we will see more and more banks and credit card companies tighten their restrictions on who can use their services and where. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that you use a VPN to take back some of your privacy and security. In many cases, it is not that difficult to set one up and, with just a few more clicks, you could be enjoying all the amenities that a credit card company has to offer. At the very least, you will be able to surf the web with a greater degree of confidence knowing that your personal data is protected. In most cases, it is better to be safe than sorry so, as tempting as it might be, it is better to avoid connecting to unverified or suspicious websites altogether. At the very least, you could end up losing a lot of money if you are hacked. In most cases, it is not that difficult to set one up and, with just a few more clicks, you could be enjoying all the amenities that a credit card company has to offer. At the very least, you will be able to surf the web with a greater degree of confidence knowing that your personal data is protected. In most cases, it is better to be safe than sorry so, as tempting as it might be, it is better to avoid connecting to unverified or suspicious websites altogether. At the very least, you could end up losing a lot of money if you are hacked. In most cases, it is not that difficult to set one up and, with just a few more clicks, you could be enjoying all the amenities that a credit card company has to offer.