A virtual private network is among the simplest methods users can employ to safeguard their online activities. By utilizing what’s known as a tunneling protocol, VPNs encode a user’s online traffic and render their data undecipherable to prying eyes.
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This added layer of protection has surfaced as a top choice for both enterprises and customers alike to ensure their privacy. As stated by Statista, more than 24% of all internet users in 2023 utilized a VPN to secure their internet connectivity.
With this level of popularity, it’s understandable to question: Are VPNs impregnable against hackers? Are they vulnerable to hacking? Can VPNs be employed to filch user data rather than safeguarding it?
Below, we will respond to these inquiries and more.
Can VPNs truly be hacked?
Similar to any software, all VPNs are theoretically open to being hacked. No software is entirely flawless, and VPNs, like all internet-oriented software, can be vulnerable to various attacks. However, a premium VPN will be exceedingly challenging to breach — particularly with a secure server infrastructure and application.
VPNs function by producing a private connection where your online activities are encoded and rendered indecipherable. Your online data is directed to a VPN server, which conceals your IP address and grants you an extra layer of obscurity on the web.
This encryption conceals sensitive user data such as your IP address, device location, browsing history, and online searches from your internet service provider, governmental entities, and cyber criminals.
While VPNs come in different forms and magnitudes, this is the fundamental operating principle for most VPNs. If you wish to delve deeper into VPNs, we suggest perusing our guide on VPN software. Here, we explore the various types of VPNs, their advantages and disadvantages, and a few recommended VPN providers.
By encoding user data and channeling it through a secure tunnel, VPNs offer a simple method to fortify your online activities. Nevertheless, this does not render them invulnerable.
There exist some vulnerabilities in which VPNs can be compromised or targeted by hackers. Let’s examine a few of these:
How VPNs can be accessed illegally
Penetrating VPN encryption
A method by which VPNs can be hacked is by penetrating the encryption. Hackers can leverage cryptographic assaults to compromise poorly implemented encryption ciphers. However, it’s crucial to note that breaching encryption demands a substantial amount of effort, time, and resources.
Most contemporary VPNs deploy the Advanced Encryption Standard or AES-256 encryption algorithm. This encryption standard employs a 256-bit key length for encrypting and decrypting data and is broadly acknowledged as the premier encryption standard.
This stems from AES-256 being practically impenetrable — necessitating millions to billions of years for brute force attacks to crack, even with present-day technology. Hence, many governmental bodies and financial institutions employ AES-256 encryption to safeguard their data.
Regardless, most modern VPN providers utilize AES-256 encryption for their VPN services, thus leaving little room for tampering.
There is nothing to be concerned about here.
Outdated tunneling protocols in VPNs
One way hackers might compromise VPNs is by taking advantage of outdated VPN tunneling protocols. Essentially, tunneling protocols consist of a set of regulations dictating how data is managed and transmitted across a given network.
It is advisable to steer clear of using antiquated protocols such as PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. These protocols are considered outdated and offer moderate to low levels of security based on current standards.
Specifically, PPTP relies on older technology and is susceptible to vulnerabilities that malicious entities can exploit. On the other hand, L2TP/IPSec offers improved security but can result in slower performance compared to more contemporary protocols.
Thankfully, modern VPN protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 strike a balance between top-tier security and speed.
Leaks via DNS, IP, or WebRTC
Malicious individuals can also pilfer user data through VPN leaks. VPN leaks occur when user data escapes from the secure VPN tunnel due to weaknesses or vulnerabilities within the application. The primary types of VPN leaks encompass:
- DNS leaks happen when the VPN inadvertently discloses your online activities, such as DNS queries or browsing history, to the ISP’s DNS server even while on an encrypted VPN connection.
- IP leaks occur when your IP address is inadvertently exposed to the internet, undermining the fundamental purpose of a VPN in concealing your true IP address and location.
- WebRTC leaks involve a breach in browser technology where websites gain unauthorized access to your actual IP address by circumventing the encrypted VPN tunnel.
VPN providers logging user data
Lastly, hacking incidents can arise when VPN providers illegitimately retain user data without consent.
While many VPN providers proclaim to uphold no-logs policies, pledging not to retain user data, there have been instances where VPNs were discovered to have stored users’ information despite such policies.
Real-life instances of VPN breaches
Below, you’ll find concrete examples of VPNs being compromised or hacked by malicious third parties.
Zero-day exploits in Ivanti VPN in early 2024
In January 2024, it was revealed that Ivanti Secure VPN had five new zero-day vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities enabled unauthorized attackers to execute remote code and compromise systems, potentially impacting nearly 30,000 Ivanti Secure VPN devices linked to the internet.
Ivanti Secure VPN is a widely used remote-access VPN in organizations globally. Post the discovery of these zero-day vulnerabilities, Ivanti issued patches to rectify some of the security lapses.
If you were previously a user of Ivanti or are considering alternatives, we’ve compiled a list of the top four Ivanti competitors and substitutes.
EXPLORE: Determining the Functionality of Your VPN (TechRepublic)
Breach in NordVPN in 2018
In 2019, NordVPN disclosed that one of its third-party servers encountered a breach in 2018. Specifically, a solitary NordVPN server in Finland fell victim to an attack. NordVPN attributed this incident to the inadequate configuration of the server by a third-party data center, about which they were not informed.
NordVPN assured that no other servers or user credentials were impacted in the breach. Post the incident, the VPN provider claimed to have implemented all necessary measures to bolster their security, and audits were conducted to validate these efforts.
Since the breach, NordVPN has been widely recognized as one of the most secure VPN services in operation today. You can peruse our comprehensive NordVPN evaluation here.
Hacking of U.S. agencies through Pulse Connect Secure VPN
In 2021, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reported that several U.S. government agencies faced breaches due to vulnerabilities detected in the Pulse Connect Secure VPN system. Formerly known as Pulse Connect VPN, this software service is utilized by numerous organizations across sectors for remote access.
According to news sources, approximately five U.S. federal agencies were potentially compromised or infiltrated due to vulnerabilities in Pulse Connect. The identification of such breaches occurred subsequent to directives for at-risk agencies to deploy an integrity tool, confirming illicit activities in their Pulse Connect appliances.
Per CISA’s statement, the threat actor leveraged multiple vulnerabilities in certain Pulse Connect Secure products, establishing unauthorized entry to implant webshells for “further access and continuity.” Thankfully, Ivanti has rolled out multiple updates to address the aforementioned vulnerabilities.
VPNs violating no-logs policies by logging data
There have also been instances where VPNs with no-logs policies have been allegedly caught or suspected of logging user data.
- IPVanish VPN in 2016: It was purported that IPVanish provided user data logs to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to trace a suspect involved in child pornography. This transpired despite the initial no-logs assertion, ultimately confirming the provision of logs to government authorities.
- Hotspot Shield VPN in 2017: The Center for Democracy and Technology accused Hotspot Shield of retaining user data and vending it to third parties via its free VPN application.
- Norton Secure VPN: Despite maintaining a no-logs policy, Norton’s Global Privacy Statement discloses the retention of user data such as device names, IP addresses, and URLs — details that ideally should not be within a VPN’s purview.
If you are keen on discovering the top no-logs VPNs, we’ve got you covered. Delve into our best no-logs VPN compilation here.
Strategies for bolstering VPN security
Given these points of vulnerability, there are several crucial steps you can take to enhance your security and VPN usage.
Opt for a premium VPN rather than a free one
While free VPNs might offer convenience for sporadic IP address modifications, they are generally not the most secure solution available. VPN services require financial resources to operate smoothly. As a result, some free VPNs are known to trade user data with third parties for various purposes, including targeted advertising.
It is evident that a premium VPN subscription will deliver a significantly more secure overall experience. Premium VPNs provide comprehensive server networks, superior customer support, and robust security
security.
Verify no-logs regulations through independent audits
It is prudent to also examine VPNs that provide both a no-logs declaration and undergo independent audits. While assurances of maintaining no-logs are crucial, validating the actual adherence of service providers to their claims becomes a matter of trust.
One effective approach is to seek out VPNs that have been externally assessed. These are services that have been scrutinized by third-party organizations to review their software, conduct audits, and ascertain if they comply with security protocols.
I highly suggest considering VPN services that implement both no-logs policies and third-party security audits.
Adopt modern security standards
Another valuable method is to opt for contemporary VPN protocols rather than outdated ones. Specifically, I advocate using OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2 as the primary tunneling protocols.
Although these protocols differ, they all offer advanced security features and VPN speeds without impacting regular browsing. Some VPN providers also have their own exclusive protocols like ExpressVPN’s Lightway or NordVPN’s NordLynx, which are reliable options ensuring robust security and performance.
SEE: The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Your Business (TechRepublic Premium)
Implement integrated VPN kill switches
VPN services are equipped with various built-in security enhancements, including a VPN kill switch.
These kill switches automatically block any communication between your device and the internet that is not routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel. In case of a VPN connection drop, the kill switch promptly prevents any sensitive data leakage.
While many contemporary VPNs come with an activated kill switch by default, it is advisable to verify your VPN settings for added assurance.
Reasons to consider investing in a VPN
Even after understanding the vulnerabilities of VPNs, employing a VPN remains significantly more secure than operating without one. VPNs empower you and your business to conceal your IP address effortlessly.
Concealing your IP address is crucial as it can be exploited by malicious entities to bombard you with annoying advertisements, extract location-based data, and amass information regarding your personal identity. VPNs offer a simple and accessible solution to counter this.
SEE: Determining the Value of Using a VPN (TechRepublic)
For larger enterprises, VPNs serve as an effective means to safeguard company data—particularly when the workforce consists of remote employees accessing corporate assets via the internet.
Furthermore, VPNs grant access to geo-restricted content by connecting to a VPN server located in a different region. This feature can be extremely beneficial, especially for businesses needing access to diverse content from various parts of the world.
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