Why Your VPN Isn’t as Secure as You Think

ARPITA (BISWAS) MAJUMDER | DATE: JULY 30, 2025

Introduction: Trust, But Verify

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, promise encrypted tunnels, hidden IP addresses, and enhanced privacy. Yet for all their marketing appeal, VPNs are not foolproof shields—they offer only partial protection. Understanding where VPNs fall short is crucial to avoid a false sense of security.

VPNs Are Network Tools, Not Complete Security Solutions

VPNs serve as network routing tools, not comprehensive cybersecurity guards:

1. They only protect data from your device to the VPN server. After exit, traffic is subject to the destination’s security measures like HTTP.

2. Using a provider shifts trust from your ISP to them. If the provider logs or mishandles your data, privacy can collapse.

Leaks: DNS, WebRTC, Split-Tunnel — Hidden Privacy Gaps

Even with VPN connected, your traffic may still leak:

1. DNS leaks can expose domain requests to your ISP, especially in split-tunnel setups or on Windows via Smart Multi‑Homed Named Resolution.

2. WebRTC leaks let JavaScript reveal your true IP despite VPN activity, affecting many browsers.

3. VPN configurations may allow local traffic to bypass encryption entirely if misconfigured.

Technical Vulnerabilities & Protocol Weaknesses

Many VPN protocols and clients harbor security risks:

1. Outdated protocols such as PPTP and some L2TP/IPsec implementations are riddled with flaws and easily exploitable.

2. Client software bugs have been found in popular enterprise clients (e.g. Cisco AnyConnect), leading to privilege escalation, code execution, and remote compromise.

3. VPN servers and implementations also face threats like DoS attacks and memory flaws that disrupt service or enable exploitation.

Shared-Server Threats: Don’t Ignore Your Neighbors

When multiple users share a VPN server, one compromised connection can affect another:

1. Attackers on the same server port can craft packets to intercept or manipulate your traffic—analogous to Wi-Fi packet attacks.

Malicious or Poorly Managed Providers

Not all VPN providers prioritize user privacy:

1. Free VPN services often monetize user data, incorporate ad tracking, and even deploy malware.

2. A provider claiming “no logs” may still retain data or be coerced to share it.

3. Users trust these services implicitly, but many fail audits or have unclear policies.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks & Credential Theft

VPN environments remain vulnerable to network-layer compromise:

1. An attacker controlling your network can launch MitM attacks, intercepting or modifying traffic even over a VPN.

2. VPN credentials stolen via phishing or malware can give full network-level access to an attacker.

VPN Is All‑Or‑Nothing Access — Not Granular

VPNs typically grant broad network access:

1. When you share VPN credentials, access is seldom compartmentalized. A compromised account can expose your entire network.

2. VPNs also don’t enforce endpoint health—devices connecting may be infected or insecure, compromising the network indirectly.

   
   

Survivor Bias: Untimely Patched Flaws Become Attacks

Real-world breaches highlight the risk of delayed patching:

1. The Pulse Secure VPN breach allowed attackers prolonged access to sensitive entities due to unpatched zero‑day vulnerabilities.

2. Enterprise VPNs are prime APT targets; patch delays expose users for extended periods.

User Misconceptions and Overconfidence

Public perception often overstates VPN benefits:

1. A Tom’s Guide survey found many users mistakenly think VPNs provide full anonymity, stop social media tracking, or protect from malware—only a minority understand limitations.

2. Many also believe VPN encrypts virus protection, which it doesn’t.

Real-World Exploits: When VPNs Fail

1. The Pulse Connect Secure breach, exploited via a zero-day, allowed persistent access to U.S. government and corporate systems for months.

2. Even a recent ExpressVPN bug inadvertently exposed IP addresses over RDP traffic on Windows—patched swiftly but revealing how rapidly vulnerabilities can happen.

Best Practices: How to Get More from Your VPN

To avoid over-reliance on VPNs, adopt these safeguards:

1. Choose reputable paid providers with independent audits, transparent no-log policies, and strong encryption.

2. Use VPN clients with strong protocols (e.g., WireGuard, OpenVPN with AES‑256), and avoid PPTP or weak legacy options.

3. Enable kill-switch functionality so traffic stops if the VPN disconnects.

4. Test for leaks using DNS/WebRTC leak tools, especially after setup.

5. Use multi‑factor authentication and rotate credentials to reduce abuse risk.

6. Pair VPN with endpoint security: antivirus, phishing filters, zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and SASE frameworks.

Conclusion: VPNs Help—but Aren’t Enough

A VPN can enhance privacy and protect data in transit—but it does not guarantee full security. Many assume encrypted traffic equals invincibility, but leaks, client flaws, malicious providers, and outdated protocols all pose real risks.

Treat your VPN as one layer in a multi‑layered security posture—not the entire total solution.

Citations/References

1. Why your VPN may not be as secure as it claims. (2024, May 6). https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/05/why-your-vpn-may-not-be-as-secure-as-it-claims/

2. Netalit. (2024, August 5). 5 biggest VPN security risks. Check Point Software. https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/network-security/what-is-vpn/5-biggest-vpn-security-risks/

3. Wiesend, S. (2025, January 31). Why your VPN isn’t as secure as you think. Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/2575629/why-your-vpn-should-have-a-kill-switch.html

4. 4.      Splashtop. (2025, May 27). Security risks of a VPN. https://www.splashtop.com/blog/vpn-security-risks

5. Owda, A. (2024, June 21). Top 10 VPN vulnerabilities (2022 – H1 2024) - SOCRadar® Cyber Intelligence Inc. SOCRadar® Cyber Intelligence Inc. https://socradar.io/top-10-vpn-vulnerabilities-2022-h1-2024/

6. CXO Revolutionaries. (n.d.). https://www.zscaler.com/cxorevolutionaries/insights/truth-about-vpns-why-they-are-network-tools-not-security-solutions

7. Mixon-Baca, B. (2024, July 16). Vulnerabilities in VPNs: Paper presented at the Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium 2024 - The Citizen. The Citizen Lab. https://citizenlab.ca/2024/07/vulnerabilities-in-vpns-paper-presented-at-the-privacy-enhancing-technologies-symposium-2024/

8. Phillips, G. (2025, May 17). We surveyed Tom's Guide readers about VPNs – and I need to bust some myths. Tom’s Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vpns/we-surveyed-toms-guide-readers-about-vpns-and-i-need-to-bust-some-myths

9. Castro, C. (2025, June 13). To pay or not to pay? Nearly 1 in 4 TechRadar readers say they use free VPNs despite the risks. TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/to-pay-or-not-to-pay-nearly-1-in-4-techradar-readers-say-they-use-free-vpns-despite-the-risks

10. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 1). Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure data breach. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanti_Pulse_Connect_Secure_data_breach

11. Phillips, G. (2025, July 22). ExpressVPN fixes a bug which could have disclosed user IP addresses. Tom’s Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vpns/expressvpn-fixes-a-bug-which-could-have-disclosed-user-ip-addresses

Image Citations

1. Ayeshayounas. (2021, November 19). Virtual Private Network (VPN) - All you need to know. The Engineering Projects. https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2021/02/virtual-private-network-vpn-all-you-need-to-know.html

2. Wiesend, S. (2025, January 31). Why your VPN isn’t as secure as you think. Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/2575629/why-your-vpn-should-have-a-kill-switch.html

3. Butts, J. (2022, August 17). Your iOS VPN isn’t as secure as you think, research shows - The Mac Observer. The Mac Observer. https://www.macobserver.com/news/your-ios-vpn-isnt-as-secure-as-you-think-research-shows/

4. Furgal, A. (2025, April 7). Does a VPN protect you from hackers? Surfshark. https://surfshark.com/blog/does-vpn-protect-you-from-hackers?srsltid=AfmBOoouNXxrU2Ym4UbvPCfEiYNWCXrk_40R0Gv-Q5WQ9Wfp074bc63e

About the Author

Arpita (Biswas) Majumder is a key member of the CEO's Office at QBA USA, the parent company of AmeriSOURCE, where she also contributes to the digital marketing team. With a master’s degree in environmental science, she brings valuable insights into a wide range of cutting-edge technological areas and enjoys writing blog posts and whitepapers. Recognized for her tireless commitment, Arpita consistently delivers exceptional support to the CEO and to team members.