You might be familiar with VPNs as they have recently become quite popular and many companies offer a free or paid version for private use. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are essentially privacy tools that help you to securely access local and remote resources without having to worry about the big brother spying on you.

VPNs are essential for those who use public Wi-Fi services such as hotels and cafes as they prevent your personal data from being recorded and monitored by cybercriminals and other internet snoopers. In addition, using a VPN prevents your IP address from being recorded by websites you visit, thus keeping your personal information more secure when using public Wi-Fi.

Unfortunately, VPNs can cause significant slowdowns when they are used inappropriately. The following are the top 5 most annoying things that one needs to keep in mind while using a VPN.

1. Huge Slowdowns When Using Public Wi-Fi

One of the main reasons why people want to use VPNs is to prevent their personal data from being recorded and compromised when they are using public Wi-Fi networks. In case you’re wondering, public Wi-Fi networks are those that you can connect to without having to pay for data, typically at cafes, hotels, and airports. While this might be tempting especially if you’re traveling, using public Wi-Fi slows down your internet connection dramatically.

Why is this a problem? Well, imagine that you are using an unlocked, premium brand smartphone (e.g. Google Pixel 3A) and you decide to connect to a VPN before you even enter any personal information. If you want to access your email, you’ll have to endure a significant loading time while connected to a VPN, even though you’re not actually sending or receiving emails. The same goes for any other service you might want to use or access on your phone, be it a GPS app, Twitter, or Facebook.

Now, if you’re using a lower-end device (e.g. an iPhone 7) you might not notice the slowdowns as much, but you’ll definitely notice when accessing services like Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter. In any case, avoid using a VPN if you’re already on a public Wi-Fi network as you won’t see any benefit from using one.

2. Many Apps & Features Come With A Cost

Another downside of using VPNs is that, in addition to causing slowdowns, they usually are populated with adware and malware. When you’re downloading free apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you’ll encounter countless notifications to upgrade to the premium version in order to enjoy the full functionality of the app. Even some of the most popular VPN apps have an ‘advanced’ premium version that unlocks additional features.

The reason why many apps & features come with a cost is that the developers need to cover the costs of maintenance and improvements. In other words, even though you might be paying for the app, you’re still footing the bill for software and hardware upkeep. In some cases, the costs can be quite high, causing many to deem it as a barrier to entry for those who can’t afford it. If you’re considering using a VPN, make sure that the app you’re downloading is as stable as it can be and, if possible, try out a free trial before you make a purchase decision.

3. Limited Bandwidth

Another downside of using a VPN is that, although it encrypts your connection and prevents your personal data from being compromised, it doesn’t do anything about your limited bandwidth. Why is this a problem? Well, if you’re already paying for internet access (e.g. at home or at a café), then you’ll notice that you have a finite amount of data that you can use. When you’re on a limited bandwidth connection, using a VPN makes matters worse as you’ll have to wait for all the data to be transmitted before you can continue using the app or service.

If possible, try out a different internet service plan or upgrade your existing bandwidth so that you can enjoy a stable and faster internet connection. In some cases, this might require an upgrade to a premium version of the app or service that you’re already paying for. This is why it’s important to try out different VPN apps before you make a decision as some might provide a more stable and faster experience than others.

4. Resource-Intensive Operation

A VPN is a resource-intensive app to operate and maintain. This is because, in addition to causing slowdowns, many VPNs encrypt your connection on the fly, which is a computationally intensive process. In other words, using a VPN creates a resource burden as you’ll need to perform expensive crypto-operations just to connect to resources like websites and other online services.

Why is this a problem? Well, imagine that you’re using an unlocked, premium brand smartphone and you decide to connect to a VPN before you even enter any personal information. To access your email, you’ll need to endure a significant loading time while connected to a VPN, even though you’re not actually sending or receiving emails. The same goes for any other service you might want to use or access on your phone, be it a GPS app, Twitter, or Facebook.

Now, if you’re using a lower-end device (e.g. an iPhone 7) you might not notice the slowdowns as much, but you’ll definitely notice when accessing services like Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter. In any case, avoid using a VPN if you’re already on a public Wi-Fi network as you won’t see any benefit from using one.

5. Unnecessary Encryption

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that many VPNs on the market today encrypt your data indiscriminately, whether or not you need this security layer. The problem with this approach is that it creates a level of insecurity as you don’t know what else might be captured by the virtual security wall. In other words, by encrypting your data, even if it’s between you and the server, you’re losing control over what’s being transmitted. In some cases, this can be quite unsafe as your personal information might be compromised. If you’re considering using a VPN, make sure that it is necessary for your scenario and only connects you to resources that you need.

To learn more, be sure to check out our blog post on VPNs (

VPNs – Everything You Need To Know

). We hope that this article answered some of your questions and led you to consider whether or not to use a VPN.