Emphasizing that internet users all over the world use VPNs or change DNS to bypass access restrictions, Barış Bayram stated that these methods carry risks in many ways. Stating that there has been a significant increase in the number of people using VPNs in particular in recent days, Bayram said, “After Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, Turkey ranks 4th on the list of countries where VPNs are used the most in the world. VPN usage is not only preferred for sites with restricted access, but also for companies to create an infrastructure with reliable networks. However, there are many companies that offer VPN services. While some of these companies offer this service for certain fees, such as monthly and annual fees, some companies provide this service to users free of charge. There are serious security risks, especially in VPN services offered for free. Free services are often offered by unreliable providers in order to seize users' data traffic. Users who start using a free VPN without checking whether their provider is reliable or not, are providing all their internet traffic to the relevant company. This is a huge danger,” he said.
Malicious software can be integrated
Barış Bayram drew attention to the fact that VPNs that target fraud and data theft can place malicious software on users’ devices, warning that the user’s device can be controlled and personal information can be seized. Bayram warned, “In order to choose a secure VPN provider and to ensure that the services they provide are genuine and secure, attention should be paid to the service provider’s website encryption and VPN protocols. While security risks are minimized with providers that have up-to-date and reliable software that have appropriate terms of use and privacy policies, unreliable service providers pose a threat. If you do not have sufficient knowledge on these issues, you should definitely get professional support.”
Risks of DNS changes
On the other hand, Barış Bayram, who also said that DNS changes are also widely preferred as an alternative to VPN, stated that although this method may seem harmless, it carries significant security risks. Emphasizing that users endanger their security by trying to access restricted sites by changing their DNS, Bayram said, "Unreliable DNS providers allow your network to be monitored by other users and hackers. For example, when a user who changes their DNS settings with the addresses of unreliable DNS servers types the name of the site to log in to a restricted platform, they can be directed to a similar platform created for fraudulent purposes and their information such as username, password, and credit card information can be seized. Therefore, if you do not have sufficient information, never attempt to change DNS."
Millions of VPN user data records were stolen
Barış Bayram also said that there were millions of users whose data was stolen due to VPN. Barış Bayram, who reminded that in a data leak that took place last year, a company that offered a free VPN service had its data stolen from more than 360 million users, said, "The stolen data includes information such as e-mail addresses, original IP addresses, business records and visited websites. This data is left on relevant platforms, especially the dark web. In cyberattacks carried out against companies with underdeveloped security infrastructures that offer free VPN services, users' data in the system is targeted. Stolen user data is put up for sale on relevant platforms, especially the dark web."
Recommendation for User Security
Barış Bayram emphasized that users should prefer reliable providers in order not to risk their security when changing VPN and DNS changes. Bayram also recommended the use of reliable antivirus software that detects malware on devices, and concluded his words by saying, "Using antivirus software also increases user security."
