Free proxies, often managed by hacking groups or intelligence agencies, are unreliable and insecure; using them exposes you to severe risks like malware, identity theft, and data breaches, compromises your privacy, and generally results in compromised internet connectivity.
Free proxy servers sound great as they allow users to mask their IP addresses to bypass geo-restrictions and maintain anonymity online without costing a single penny out of your own pocket. But running proxy server services requires money because stuff (electricity to run servers, labor to maintain the servers) doesn’t grow on trees.
So why are they providing this service? They are just good guys and serving humanity out of their own pocket? NO…!
Are Free Proxies Safe? The Answer is No!
It’s an open secret that these free proxy servers are most likely operated by hostile governments, intelligence agencies, cyber police, cybercriminals, hacking groups, or other malicious groups. They typically monitor and record all traffic passing through the proxy. They spy and monitor all the traffic to inject spyware or malware into users’ devices, commit identity theft, and track your activity, compromising your privacy, safety, and security.
They spy and monitor all the traffic to inject spyware or malware into the users’ devices. Free proxies change the HTML code by injecting ads and tracking codes. As they control the traffic flow; they can steal cookies, which are small data files used to track your browsing sessions.
Christian Haschek analyzed 443 free proxies and found a staggering 79% of them are doing something malicious. Later he expanded his tests to 25443 free proxies and most of them failed the safety test.
We recommend (as do all privacy and cyber security experts) that you should never use free proxies. Instead, always use reputable paid proxies or VPN services. These paid services ensure your online activities are encrypted, protect your data, and provide reliable and fast connections.
We have listed 28 reasons why you should never use free proxies:
Potential Malicious Ownership
Sometimes the people who set up free proxies aren’t the good guys. They could be hackers looking for a way to steal your information, or even government groups watching what people do online. Because these owners are hidden, you don’t know who is controlling the data you send through their proxy. They can easily watch everything you do online, collect your personal info, and use it in ways that can harm you—like stealing your identity or spying on your activities.
Free Proxies aren’t Free
Although they claim to be free, these proxies might make you pay in other ways, like showing lots of ads or even using your computer’s resources for their own benefit. It’s like a free app that’s full of annoying ads, or worse, costs you money on your phone bill by using extra data.
Exposure to Malware
Using a free proxy can be like leaving your house’s doors unlocked: bad software called malware can sneak in. Malware can damage your computer, steal your personal information, or even take control of your device to attack other systems. This happens because free proxies often don’t have good security to block these harmful programs. Once your device is infected, it can be really tough to fix it, and your personal info could be at risk.
Identity Theft
Imagine someone pretending to be you and taking money from your bank account. That’s what can happen if you use free proxies. Hackers can see the information you send through these proxies, like your bank details or passwords, because the security often isn’t strong enough to keep your data safe. Once hackers have your information, they can use it to buy things, get new credit cards, or even take loans—all in your name.
Data Monitoring and Selling
The people running free proxies might be watching everything you do online and taking notes. They can see what websites you visit, what you buy, and even private messages you send. Then, they can sell this information to other companies who want to advertise products to you, or worse, to criminals who could use this information to target you for scams.
IP Spoofing
Using a free proxy might make you accidentally help criminals. Here’s how: criminals can use these proxies to hide their location and make their bad activities look like they’re coming from your IP address. This means if they do something illegal online, it could look like you did it, which could get you in big trouble.
Compromise of Sensitive Activities
If you’re doing something really important online, like banking or shopping, using a free proxy isn’t safe. Since these proxies often don’t encrypt your data securely, someone could intercept what you’re sending. This could lead to someone else getting their hands on your credit card details or other sensitive information.
Cookie Theft
Think of cookies as little pieces of data that remember important bits of your online activities, like logins or what’s in your shopping cart. When using free proxies, these cookies can be stolen. Thieves can use them to get into your online accounts, pretending they are you. This could lead to people stealing from your accounts or getting into your social media.
Compromised Anonymity
Even though proxies are supposed to hide your identity online, free proxies might not hide you well enough. They might leak your real IP address (which is like your home address on the internet). If your IP address is seen, people can find out where you are and other personal information. It’s not really being anonymous if someone can figure out who you are.
Manipulation of Traffic
Using a free proxy might change what you see on the internet. Operators of these proxies can secretly inject harmful or misleading code into the websites you visit. For example, they could change numbers on a banking site to trick you into paying more money, or they could show you fake news or information.
Proxy Misconfiguration
If the free proxy isn’t set up correctly, it’s like having weak spots in the walls of a fort. These weaknesses can let hackers easily get in and see your private information or attack your computer. Simple errors in how the proxy is configured can lead to big security problems for you.
Lack of Encryption
When you use a free proxy, the information you send over the internet might not be hidden or protected. It’s like sending a postcard through the mail—anyone who sees it can read it. Encryption is like sending your information in a locked safe instead. Many free proxies don’t use this “safe” (encryption), so anyone who wants to can see your private messages, passwords, or bank info. This makes it easy for hackers to steal your data.
Privacy Risks
Free proxies might let you browse anonymously, but they often collect your personal data without you knowing. This could include where you go online, what you like to look at, and personal details you enter on websites. Then, this info might be sold to advertisers or even leaked online if their systems aren’t secure, putting your privacy at risk.
Malvertising
Free proxies can also put bad ads on the websites you visit. These aren’t just annoying; they can be dangerous. These ads might trick you into clicking on them, and then they install harmful software on your computer without you knowing. This software can steal your information, slow down your computer, or pop up more annoying ads.
Use for Botnet Activities
Imagine if your computer was secretly turned into a zombie that did what a remote hacker told it to. That’s kind of what happens when a free proxy uses your computer for botnet activities. Hackers use your computer’s power along with many others to attack other systems, send spam emails, or commit fraud, all without you knowing.
Vulnerability to DoS Attacks
Free proxies are often targets for what’s called Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. This is when so much junk traffic is sent to the proxy that it can’t handle it and just stops working. If you’re using the proxy when it gets attacked, you won’t be able to use the internet.
Unreliable Performance
Because so many people might be using the same free proxy, it often works slowly or not at all. Imagine trying to get through a crowded subway station at rush hour. Just like being stuck in the crowd, your internet connection can get stuck because the proxy is too busy.
Service Interruption
Just like a busy restaurant might suddenly close when it runs out of food, free proxies often go offline without warning. This could happen right in the middle of something important you’re doing online, like finishing a school assignment or watching a movie.
Limited Access and Blockages
Sometimes websites know when you’re using a free proxy and they block you. This is because they think you might be up to no good, like trying to break rules or do something illegal. It’s like being kicked out of a store because you’re wearing a mask and the store is worried you might shoplift.
Compromised Security Protocols
Free proxies often don’t follow strong security rules, which means they’re not very good at protecting you from online threats. It’s like having a guard who falls asleep all the time. You can’t really count on this kind of protection to keep you safe from hackers and other dangers on the internet.
Resource Overload
Imagine a small road that everyone tries to drive on at the same time; it’s going to get jammed. Similarly, free proxies often have too many people using them at once. This makes them really slow, and sometimes they stop working completely because they can’t handle all the traffic.
Legal Consequences
Using free proxies can sometimes get you into legal trouble without you even knowing it. For example, if you use a free proxy to access content that’s not allowed in your country, you could be breaking the law. It’s like sneaking into a movie theater without a ticket; even if you don’t get caught right away, you’re still doing something illegal.
Bandwidth Throttling
Sometimes the people running free proxies might slow down your internet speed on purpose. They do this to save their limited resources or to make you so frustrated that you decide to pay for a faster service. It’s like a water company giving you just a little trickle of water so that you buy more expensive bottled water.
Temporary and Unstable
Free proxies aren’t always reliable. They might work one day and then disappear the next. It’s like using a bridge made of ice; it could melt away at any moment. This makes them really unreliable, especially if you need a stable internet connection for schoolwork or watching movies.
Lack of Support
If you have a problem with a free proxy, there’s usually no one to help you fix it. It’s like buying a toy that breaks and having no store to return it to for a refund or repair. This can leave you stuck with a broken service and no way to solve your issues.
Ethical and Legal Concerns
Sometimes the way free proxies operate might not be very ethical or even legal. For example, they might use your computer as part of a botnet or show you illegal ads. Using these services could indirectly involve you in activities you wouldn’t want to be part of. It’s like accidentally joining a club that does things you don’t agree with.
Limited Features
Free proxies often don’t have many features. For example, they might not let you choose which country you appear to be connecting from or they might not protect all your internet activity. It’s like getting a free lunch that only includes a sandwich when you’re hungry for a full meal.
Potential for Being Outdated
Because they’re free, these proxies might not get updated with the latest technology or security measures. It’s like using old, worn-out running shoes for a race; they’re not going to perform as well as new ones and might even fall apart.
Increased Risk of Blacklisting
Free proxies often get blocked by websites much faster than paid ones. This is because they are commonly used for spam or other bad activities. It’s like a known troublemaker being banned from a store; as soon as they’re recognized, they’re not allowed in.
Conclusion
You should steer clear of free proxies because they come with a lot of risks.
Often, these free services are run by unknown people who might be up to no good—like hackers or even government agencies. They can watch what you do online, steal your personal info like passwords and credit card numbers, and might even sell your browsing details to others. Free proxies can also sneak malware onto your computer, which could steal your data or damage your device.
Besides these dangers, free proxies often don’t hide your activity well, leaving your personal details exposed. They might also slow down your internet connection, drop out frequently, or block you from visiting certain websites. Since they can be unreliable and unsafe, it’s a lot better to use a paid proxy or VPN that keeps your online activities private and secure.