Priya PatelTLDR:
- Free VPN services can sometimes have hidden risks and consequences.
- The 911 S5 botnet was created using several free VPN services, turning users’ devices into proxy servers for illicit activities.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become essential tools for internet users, but the allure of free VPN services can sometimes lead to unexpected and dangerous consequences. In a significant incident involving the 911 S5 botnet, users who installed free VPN apps unknowingly turned their devices into proxy servers, allowing cybercriminals to engage in illicit activities such as cyberattacks, money laundering, and mass fraud.
The 911 S5 botnet, which spanned over 19 million unique IP addresses across 190 countries, used free VPN services such as MaskVPN, DewVPN, PaladinVPN, and others to build their network. Despite temporary takedowns, the botnet resurfaced under different aliases and earned its creators an estimated $99 million by 2024. Users who installed these infected VPN apps became unwitting accomplices in cybercrimes, resulting in several billion dollars in confirmed losses to victims.
In addition to the 911 S5 botnet, a similar scheme involving infected VPN apps on Google Play was uncovered. Apps like Lite VPN, Byte Blade VPN, and others turned devices into proxy servers, posing ongoing threats to users even after removal from the app store. The persistence of malicious free VPN apps underscores the importance of investing in reputable paid VPN services for enhanced security and protection.
While free VPN services may seem appealing, the hidden risks and consequences highlighted by the 911 S5 botnet and other incidents emphasize the importance of investing in paid VPN services. Paid VPNs offer enhanced security features, better performance, transparent privacy policies, and customer support, making them a more reliable and secure option for protecting online privacy and security.
