Cracked VPNs: What They Are and Why You Should’nt Be Using Them

The popularity of VPNs has skyrocketed over the span of the last ten years. They help us hide our online activities, change our IP address, encrypt our traffic, and allow us to access geo-restricted content.

A VPN software offers more advantages than disadvantages which is the reason of its popularity. However these facilities comes at a cost because most VPNs that actually word are paid. Free VPNs are fine but they come with a monthly data limit, which makes them useless for streaming atleast.

The cost of a premium VPN makes people search for cracked versions of VPNs online. The Keyword ‘NordVPN cracked’ has more than 1000 monthly search volumes on Google, and ‘ExpressVPN crack’ has 590, and that is only in the United States; the global volume is higher than what I have mentioned.

People want to use cracked VPNs for online privacy or unblocking, putting their sensitive data in danger. Just like cracked antiviruses that are good for nothing, cracked VPNs put you at risk, which we will discuss in this article. We will also recommend a safer way of using a VPN without paying anything.

What is a Cracked VPN?

A cracked VPN is a pirated version of premium VPN software. These VPNs often come with an activation code and are compromised and sold in low price by hackers. You can find the cracked versions of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access, etc.

I don’t recommend using a cracked VPN, and I haven’t used it myself. However, if you want to test how they work, you can download cracked VPNs from privacy forums, security websites (so-called), and social media. Don’t use cracked VPNs for browsing because your IP address and DNS information will be compromised.

Hackers lay the groundwork for this trap by selling cracked VPNs on social media platforms and forums at seemingly low prices. Once installed, these compromised VPNs enable hackers to steal sensitive information, such as bank account details or credit card information. They may use this data to commit theft or share it on the dark web, putting your privacy and finances at serious risk.

Additionally, cybercriminals sell premium VPNs at a lower price on the dark web. These are stolen VPN accounts with weak passwords. Using any type of cracked VPN is illegal and unethical, and it poses a security risk.

Do Cracked VPNs work?

I haven’t used a cracked VPN but those who did say they work perfectly. I advice them not to put their online privacy and security at risk by using a cracked VPN. Apart from these threats, a cracked VPN is a pirated software which can get you in trouble with the law.

For those of you wondering if they actually work. Upon testing, my friend said it worked perfectly in changing IP addresses and unblocking geo-restricted content. However, I will advise against it and won’t be a part of this nonsense.

Are Cracked VPNs safe to use?

As mentioned above, cracked VPN usage has serious security risks to your online privacy and devices. You are exposing yourself to security risks by using the freely available cracked version of premium VPNs.

Here are major issues with using a cracked VPN software:

1. Malware & Viruses

In this world of consumerism, nothing is free. When you download a cracked version of VPN software on your device, you are inviting malware and viruses to attack. This is why I recommend using a VPN with antivirus, which is the best security combo for your online and device security.

2. Privacy Issues

Using a cracked VPN kills the purpose of using a VPN in the first place because your traffic in going through an unspecified server which might be established by hackers, who later will use or sell your data to third parties.

Hackers can steal sensitive information like your original IP address, browsing activities, and device information.

3. Legal Risks

Using pirated software is illegal in many countries and can result in hefty fines. Additionally, using a cracked VPN not only violates ethical principles but also poses significant security risks.

Using pirated software falls under U.S. copyright law, which prohibits unauthorized duplication, distribution, or use of copyrighted material. Violations can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to five years for first-time offenders.

4. No Customer Support

There will be no one to entertain your requests when your VPN is not working and giving you a slow speed and lower ping. A premium VPN has a 24/7 customer support team that is there to answer all your questions and help increase your VPN speed.

5. Worst Streaming Experience

With a cracked VPN, your streaming experience is going to hell. Yes, you have read that right. Be prepared for slow streaming, buffering, frequent disconnection, and VPN-detected errors whether you are watching Netflix or Hulu.

This is because cracked VPNs do not refresh their IP addresses like premium VPNs. Once a streaming service or website detects these IP addresses, they are flagged and become ineffective for accessing the content.

6. No Updates

There is no way your cracked VPN is getting updated regularly like premium VPNs. Without updates, the VPN client installed on your device will become weak and buggy, making it harder to use and crashing often.

A lack of updates can also affect certain security features, such as a kill switch and protocol selection. This can lead to security risks, such as mobile VPN leaks and DNS leaks.

7. Adware

We all have been there and know how frustrating it is when you are interested in stupid ads while doing something important. Even if you are saved from viruses and ransomware, a cracked VPN comes with adware that bombards your device with stupid ads.

These ads divert your attention, slow down your system, and redirect you to spammy websites if you click on them.

How to recognize and avoid cracked VPNs

Using a cracked VPN puts your online security and privacy at serious risk. I strongly advise against it; if necessary, it’s better to forgo using a VPN altogether than to rely on pirated VPN software. Here are some tips to help you identify and avoid cracked VPNs.

1. Purchase a VPN subscription from an official website

Always purchase a VPN subscription from an official website. Here are the key factors to consider when purchasing a VPN from an official brand.

• A legitimate VPN brand has a well-organized website that is easy to navigate, with all the information about them present in the header or footer. Also, it will use “https://” in the URL, which indicates that the site is secure. Apart from HTTPS, look for signs in the brand URL. Hackers can make the exact same website as a VPN brand by adding “-” or “s” in the URL.
  Example: A legitimate VPN brand will not include special characters or variations in its name or URL. For instance, there is only one official NordVPN.com on the internet. Hackers might create lookalike websites with similar designs and content but slightly altered URLs, such as Nord-VPN.com or NordVPNs.com. Always double-check the URL to ensure its authenticity.
• A premium VPN brand won’t offer you a free subscription. However, there are legitimate VPN brands with freemium models and data limits. Additionally, it’s not entirely free, as you have to pay for a subscription when your data limit ends.
• A cracked VPN will not have its apps available on official app stores. Instead, you’ll need to download the cracked VPN app directly from its website, typically as a file with a .apk extension.
• A genius VPN provider will have all the relevant pages on its website, such as ‘About us,’ ‘Contact us,’ ‘Our team,’ etc.
• You can also purchase a legit VPN by clicking on links on a trusted source like VPNforWhat.com.

2. Research VPN deals

Most genuine VPNs offer a monthly or yearly subscription instead of a one-time payment. The lifetime deal that is advertised on some VPN websites also has a timeframe of five years, and then you have to ask their support for a renewal.

Avoid VPNs offering one-time payments that seem too good to be true. For example, I came across a VPN provider advertising a lifetime deal of 10 years for just $30. While I couldn’t confirm its legitimacy, such an offer is highly suspicious and likely unreliable.

3. Get a subscription

Most premium and legit VPN providers offer a monthly or yearly subscription. ExpressVPN and NordVPN both offer monthly, yearly, and 2-year plans.

They also provide regular security updates, new features, and protection in the long term. This helps keep your connection safe and secure and shares crash reports if the VPN is not working. Here is our guide on testing your VPN.

What are the best alternatives for Cracked VPNs

People use cracked VPNs for online privacy and unblocking restricted content because of cost. However, cracked VPNs can put you in danger, so it’s best to look for free and cheap alternatives. Here are a few alternatives to cracked VPNs.

Free VPNs

Here are the free VPNs you can use instead of a cracked VPN software:

We can see that Proton VPN wins the free VPN race. They are based in Switzerland, which is not part of any surveillance alliance and has strict laws against data retention. Additionally, it offers unlimited data for browsing and streaming.

We have added Hotspot Shield to the table because it is an established brand. However, we recommend using it because it is based in the United States, which is part of the five-eye Surveillance Alliance and has a data limit of 500MB/day, which will let you stream movies and TV shows.

On the bright side, Hotspot Sheild gave us more speed than Proton VPN, which makes it best for internet browsing but not good for streaming due to the data cap.

Paid VPNs

Paid VPNs come with unlimited data and advanced features. But they are costly and require a monthly or yearly subscription. Here are the best and most affordable VPNs which you can use instead of a cracked VPN software.

The paid VPNs mentioned above come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to use the VPN for 30 days and request a full refund if you’re not satisfied with its performance.

Final thoughts on using a Cracked VPN

I strongly advise against using cracked VPNs, as I do not use them myself. Doing so is akin to jeopardizing your data and online security. It puts your privacy at significant risk and exposes your device to malicious viruses and malware.

Why resort to a cracked VPN when reliable alternatives exist? For instance, ProtonVPN offers a free plan with unlimited data, while affordable paid options like Surfshark start at just $1.98 per month. Prioritize your security and choose trusted solutions instead.

Interested in learning more about VPNs? Check these articles:

• Best VPN servers for privacy, security, and streaming
• How to build your own VPN
• What is the difference between VPN, Proxy, and Smart DNS
• How and why should you buy VPN Anonymously