Using a VPN should make you safer online, but many users unknowingly sabotage their own security through simple mistakes. Recent studies show that 60% of VPN users don’t enable critical protection features, and 25% experience data leaks despite running VPN software. Understanding these pitfalls can mean the difference between genuine privacy and a false sense of security.
Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong VPN Provider
Not all VPNs are created equal, and this choice matters more than most users realize. Cybersecurity Ventures reports that over 75% of users experience inadequate security from low-quality services. Free VPNs present the biggest danger—many openly admit to selling user information to advertisers, injecting ads, or keeping detailed activity logs.
“I learned this the hard way,” says David Martinez, a software developer from Austin. “I used a free VPN for six months before discovering they were tracking everything I did online and selling my browsing data to marketing companies. It completely defeated the purpose.”
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia identified numerous free VPNs with serious security flaws. Betternet VPN, despite having 12,200 ratings and 4.6 stars on the Apple App Store, was flagged for tracking user activity, injecting malware, and selling data—all while maintaining positive reviews from unaware users.
How to avoid it: Research VPN providers thoroughly before signing up. Look for services with independent security audits, clear no-logs policies, and transparent privacy policies. Reputable providers include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. Expect to pay $40-99 annually for legitimate protection.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Kill Switch Feature
Sixty percent of users don’t know the kill switch exists, according to NordVPN’s research. This feature automatically terminates your internet connection if your VPN drops, preventing your real IP address and unencrypted data from being exposed during brief disconnections.
Without a kill switch enabled, even a momentary VPN failure can reveal your identity or link your activities to your personal IP address—a disaster if you’re torrenting, accessing sensitive work documents, or trying to maintain anonymity.
How to avoid it: Immediately after installing your VPN, navigate to settings and enable the kill switch. Test it by deliberately disconnecting your VPN while browsing to ensure your internet access stops completely.
Mistake #3: Only Using VPN “When You Need It”
Many users treat VPNs like umbrellas—only pulling them out when they expect rain. They’ll switch on protection for online banking, then immediately disable it for general browsing. This approach leaves massive security gaps.
“I used to only turn on my VPN for ‘important stuff,’” explains Jennifer Liu, a freelance writer. “Then I realized social media platforms were tracking my location and selling my data. Now I keep it running all the time.”
The reality is that social media platforms, advertisers, and potential attackers can identify you through seemingly innocent browsing. If you’re on public Wi-Fi, activating your VPN only for sensitive transactions means someone executing a man-in-the-middle attack already has access to your device and previous unencrypted traffic.
How to avoid it: Enable your VPN before connecting to any network, especially public Wi-Fi. Keep it running for your entire session. If convenience is a concern, use split tunneling to exclude specific apps that don’t need VPN protection, rather than disabling protection entirely.
Mistake #4: Never Reading the Privacy Policy
VPNMentor’s 2024 survey found that 58% of users assume their online activities remain completely private without ever reviewing their VPN’s privacy policy. This assumption frequently proves wrong. Many VPNs log connection timestamps, IP addresses, bandwidth usage, and even browsing history—then share or sell this data to third parties.
The devil is in the details. Terms like “we may log data” without specifying what gets logged should raise immediate red flags. Some VPNs operate in jurisdictions within the Five Eyes alliance, where governments can compel data sharing.
How to avoid it: Before subscribing, carefully read the privacy policy. Look for explicit no-logging claims backed by independent audits. Choose providers based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions like Iceland, Switzerland, or the British Virgin Islands. Avoid services that won’t clearly state what data they collect.
Mistake #5: Using Outdated Encryption Protocols
Some VPN services, particularly free ones, use outdated protocols like PPTP or L2TP/IPsec that contain known vulnerabilities. Hackers can exploit these weaknesses to decrypt your traffic, rendering your VPN protection essentially worthless.
Security experts consistently recommend modern protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2. These provide military-grade AES-256 encryption that’s virtually impossible to crack with current technology.
How to avoid it: Check which protocols your VPN supports. In settings, select WireGuard or OpenVPN whenever possible. Avoid PPTP entirely. If your current VPN only offers outdated protocols, switch to a provider with modern encryption standards.
Mistake #6: Forgetting About DNS Leaks
A shocking 25% of users fail DNS leak tests after initial VPN configuration, according to 2024 analysis. DNS leaks occur when your device sends DNS requests outside the VPN tunnel, revealing which websites you’re visiting to your ISP—even while the VPN is active.
IPv6 leaks present additional risk. With approximately 30% of internet traffic now using IPv6, users without proper IPv6 blocking can leak data that bypasses their VPN protection entirely.
How to avoid it: After connecting your VPN, immediately visit DNSLeakTest.com or IPLeak.net to verify your protection. If you see your real ISP or location, your VPN is leaking. Enable IPv6 leak protection in your VPN settings, or disable IPv6 on your device if your VPN doesn’t support it natively.
Mistake #7: Never Updating VPN Software
PrivacyAffairs found that over 40% of users don’t keep track of VPN software updates or provider terms of service changes. Outdated VPN apps may contain unpatched security vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit.
VPN vulnerabilities get discovered regularly. When providers release patches, users running old versions remain exposed. Additionally, privacy policies sometimes change, potentially weakening user protections without explicit notification.
How to avoid it: Enable automatic updates for your VPN software. Set a quarterly reminder to review your VPN provider’s privacy policy and terms of service. If major changes occur that weaken privacy protections, consider switching providers.
The Mindset Mistake: Believing VPNs Make You Anonymous
Perhaps the biggest misconception is that VPNs automatically provide complete anonymity. They don’t. VPNs increase privacy and security but can’t protect against all threats. You’re still vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware, and tracking cookies. Social media logins immediately identify you, regardless of VPN use.
“I thought I was anonymous online because I had a VPN,” admits Robert Thompson, a privacy advocate. “Then I realized I was still logged into Facebook and Google. They knew exactly who I was the entire time.”
How to avoid it: Combine your VPN with other privacy tools. Use private browsing modes, block tracking cookies, employ password managers with two-factor authentication, and maintain updated antivirus software. Understand that VPNs are one layer of a comprehensive security strategy, not a complete solution.
Taking Action
The path to genuine VPN security involves three steps: choosing a reputable provider with independent audits, enabling all protection features (especially kill switches), and maintaining updated software. Combined with proper security habits and realistic expectations, VPNs deliver powerful privacy protection. Without these elements, you’re operating under a dangerous illusion of security.
Summary: Seven critical VPN mistakes expose user data: choosing unreliable providers (75% experience inadequate security), ignoring kill switches (60% unaware), intermittent usage, skipping privacy policies (58% don’t read them), using outdated protocols, missing DNS leaks (25% affected), and failing to update software (40% neglect updates). Fix these by researching providers thoroughly, enabling all security features, maintaining constant protection, and understanding VPN limitations.