My cousin thought she hit the jackpot when she found a “premium VPN for free” on the Play Store last month. Fast-forward three weeks, and she’s dealing with unauthorized charges on her credit card, strange ads appearing on all her devices, and suspicious emails flooding her inbox.
“But it had thousands of downloads and 4.5 stars!” she protested when I helped her clean up the mess.
Here’s the brutal truth: the number of users encountering malicious apps posing as free VPNs increased by 2.5 times in Q3 2024 compared to Q2 globally. That “amazing deal” you found? It might be the most expensive free app you’ll ever download.
After helping dozens of friends and family members deal with compromised devices, I’ve learned to spot the warning signs of data-stealing VPNs from miles away. Let me share these red flags with you before you become another victim.
The Shocking Reality of Free VPN Scams
Before we dive into the warning signs, let’s get real about what’s happening. Researchers recently detected that FreeVPN.One, a longstanding Chrome Web Store VPN extension, turned into spyware. Even legitimate VPN services can go rogue overnight.
And it’s not just small-time scammers. Free Android VPNs like SuperVPN, GeckoVPN, and ChatVPN leaked millions of records, emails, IPs, and payment data due to insecure server configurations and spyware suspicions.
The worst part? Most people don’t realize they’ve been compromised until it’s too late. Your data is being harvested, sold, and misused while you’re sleeping soundly, thinking you’re “protected.”
Sign #1: Your Device Suddenly Becomes an Advertisement Billboard
What to watch for:
- Ads appearing in apps that never had ads before
- Pop-ups showing up even when you’re not browsing
- Your browser homepage mysteriously changes
- Suspicious “You’ve won!” notifications constantly appearing
My real example: After installing a free VPN called “SuperSecure VPN” (yes, that’s a real app I tested), my test phone started showing ads for Nepali loan services in my calculator app. My calculator! The VPN was injecting ads into every app I opened.
Why this happens: Malicious VPNs modify your internet traffic to inject advertisements. They’re literally rewriting web pages and app content to show you ads they get paid for.
The technical bit: These VPNs use something called “ad injection”, they intercept your data, add their advertisements, then send it to your device. You think you’re seeing normal content, but you’re actually seeing their modified version.
Quick Test:
- Take screenshots of your favorite apps before installing any VPN
- After installation, check if new ads appear in the same apps
- If yes, delete that VPN immediately
Sign #2: Your Internet Speed Goes From Fast to Frustratingly Slow
What to watch for:
- Websites taking forever to load (much slower than before)
- Videos constantly buffering
- App updates timing out
- Online games becoming unplayable due to lag
The deception: Bad VPNs claim they provide “unlimited bandwidth” but then throttle your connection to unusable speeds. Why? Because providing actual fast, secure connections costs money and they don’t want to spend on “free” users.
My experiment: I tested 10 popular free VPNs available in Nepal. Here’s what I found:
| VPN Name | Speed Without VPN | Speed With VPN | Speed Loss |
| Free VPN A | 50 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 96% |
| Free VPN B | 50 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 90% |
| Free VPN C | 50 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 98% |
Compare this to legitimate paid VPNs that typically cause only 10-20% speed loss.
The hidden agenda: Extreme slowdowns aren’t just poor service, they’re often intentional. Malicious VPNs want you to:
- Disable the VPN frequently (exposing your real data)
- Get frustrated and provide personal info for “premium” features
- Click on more ads while waiting for pages to load
Sign #3: The App Demands Suspicious Permissions
Red flag permissions that should make you run:
- Access to SMS messages: Why does a VPN need to read your texts?
- Phone call access: Legitimate VPNs never need this
- Camera and microphone: Unless you’re video calling through the VPN app itself
- Contact list access: No legitimate reason for a VPN to access your contacts
- Device admin privileges: This gives them control over your entire phone
Real story from Kathmandu: My neighbor installed a free VPN that requested permission to “manage phone calls.” She granted it thinking it was normal. Two weeks later, she discovered the app was recording her calls and uploading them to unknown servers.
What they’re actually doing:
- SMS access: Stealing OTPs and banking codes
- Phone access: Recording conversations for blackmail or identity theft
- Camera/microphone: Spying on your personal life
- Contacts: Building databases to target your friends and family
- Device admin: Installing additional malware you can’t remove
How to Check Your App Permissions:
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications
- Find your VPN app
- Tap “Permissions”
- Review what access you’ve granted
On iPhone:
- Settings > Privacy & Security
- Look through each category (Camera, Microphone, etc.)
- Check if your VPN app appears in inappropriate categories
Sign #4: You’re Getting Eerily Accurate Targeted Ads and Suspicious Communications
Warning signs:
- Ads mentioning your specific location, bank, or workplace
- Promotional emails you never signed up for
- Calls from unknown numbers asking about your recent online activities
- Social media ads for products you searched for privately
Personal example: After installing a suspicious free VPN, I started receiving targeted ads for the exact model of laptop I had been researching privately. The ads mentioned my city, my approximate income range, and even suggested stores near my workplace. Creepy? Absolutely.
What’s happening behind the scenes: The VPN is monitoring everything:
- Every website you visit
- Every search term you type
- Your location data
- Your app usage patterns
- Your email addresses and phone numbers
This data gets packaged and sold to advertisers, marketers, and potentially worse actors.
The Scary Chain Reaction:
- Week 1: VPN collects your browsing data
- Week 2: Data gets sold to advertising networks
- Week 3: You start seeing suspiciously targeted ads
- Week 4: Scammers buy the data and start targeting you specifically
Recent case in Nepal: A friend installed a free VPN and started getting calls from people claiming to be from his bank, mentioning specific transactions he had made. The VPN had been monitoring his banking app usage and selling that information.
Sign #5: Mysterious Battery Drain and Unexplained Data Usage
Technical red flags:
- Your phone battery dying much faster than normal
- High data usage even when you’re not actively using internet
- Phone getting hot for no apparent reason
- Apps crashing more frequently than before
Why this happens: Malicious VPNs are working overtime in the background:
- Uploading your personal data to remote servers
- Mining cryptocurrency using your device’s processing power
- Running multiple hidden processes you can’t see
- Communicating with command and control servers
My test results: I monitored battery and data usage before and after installing a suspicious free VPN:
Before VPN:
- Battery life: 8-10 hours normal usage
- Daily data usage: 200-300 MB
- Background data: Minimal
After VPN:
- Battery life: 3-4 hours normal usage
- Daily data usage: 800-1200 MB
- Background data: Constant activity
How to Check This:
On Android:
- Settings > Battery > Battery usage
- Settings > Network & internet > Data usage
On iPhone:
- Settings > Battery (check which apps are consuming most power)
- Settings > Cellular (check data usage by app)
Look for the VPN app consuming excessive resources, especially when you’re not actively using it.
What Happens When Your Data Gets Stolen (The Real Cost)
Let me paint you a picture of what data theft actually looks like based on cases I’ve seen:
Immediate Impact (First Month):
- Unauthorized charges on credit/debit cards
- Spam calls and messages increase dramatically
- Fake social media accounts created using your info
- Your email gets added to scammer databases
Medium-term Problems (2-6 Months):
- Identity theft attempts
- Loan applications made in your name
- Your personal photos/videos might surface online
- Family members getting targeted by scammers
Long-term Consequences (6+ Months):
- Credit score damage from fraudulent activities
- Legal complications from crimes committed using your identity
- Permanent loss of privacy (data can’t be “unstolen”)
- Ongoing security vulnerabilities
Real story: A teacher from Pokhara installed a malicious free VPN in January. By March, someone had opened three different loan accounts using her identity. It took her eight months and Rs. 50,000 in legal fees to clear her name.
How to Protect Yourself Right Now
Immediate Actions (Do This Today):
- Audit your current VPN apps:
- Check all VPN apps on your devices
- Review their permissions
- Look up reviews on trusted tech websites (not just app store reviews)
- Monitor your accounts:
- Check bank statements for unusual activity
- Review credit card transactions weekly
- Set up account alerts for all financial services
- Clean up compromised devices:
- Uninstall suspicious VPN apps immediately
- Change passwords for all important accounts
- Clear browser data and cached files
Choosing a Safe VPN Alternative
Free VPNs from reputable companies:
- Proton VPN (limited free tier, Swiss-based, transparent)
- Windscribe (10GB free monthly, Canadian company)
- TunnelBear (500MB free monthly, owned by McAfee)
Paid VPNs worth the investment:
- NordVPN (Rs. 1000-1200/month, excellent for Nepal)
- Surfshark (Rs. 1400-1600/month, allows unlimited devices)
- ExpressVPN (Rs. 1800-2000/month, premium but reliable)
Red Flags to Avoid in ANY VPN:
❌ “100% free forever with unlimited everything”
❌ Apps with generic names like “Free VPN” or “Super VPN”
❌ No clear company information or privacy policy
❌ Requires personal information just to try
❌ Promises to make you “completely anonymous”
❌ Has poor reviews on independent tech sites
The Nepal-Specific Risks
Why Nepali Users Are Particularly Vulnerable:
- Limited cybersecurity awareness: Many users don’t understand what VPNs actually do
- Price sensitivity: Free options are attractive due to economic factors
- Language barriers: Privacy policies are often in English and legally complex
- Limited legal recourse: Pursuing international scammers is nearly impossible
Local Impact I’ve Observed:
- Increased targeting of Nepali banking customers
- Scammers using stolen data to impersonate government officials
- Rise in fake “investment opportunity” calls using personal information
- Social engineering attacks targeting family members
The Bottom Line: Free Isn’t Free
That free VPN might be costing you everything. Your privacy, security, money, and peace of mind all traded away for the illusion of protection.
2024 saw a surge in malicious free VPN apps, and this trend is accelerating. The criminals behind these apps are getting smarter, more convincing, and more dangerous.
The simple truth: If you can’t afford a premium VPN, you definitely can’t afford to use a malicious free one.
Your Action Plan:
- Today: Remove any suspicious free VPNs from your devices
- This week: Change passwords for all important accounts
- This month: Invest in a reputable VPN service or learn to live without one
- Ongoing: Share this knowledge with friends and family
Remember, in the digital world, your data is more valuable than gold. Don’t give it away to the first app that promises you something for nothing.
Your digital security is worth more than a few hundred rupees per month. Protect yourself, protect your family, and help others avoid these digital traps. If this article saved you from a potential disaster, share it with someone who needs to read it.