Your VPN Could Be Hacked. How to Protect Yourself?

VPN services remain one of the most reliable ways to protect user privacy online. However, it is important to remember that anything can be hacked, especially if you are a valuable target and your adversaries have sufficient power, time, and resources. You can be a target even if you just buy something online or bet on sports providers that aren’t on GamStop. Keep reading to learn more about how hackers interested in your online activity can penetrate your VPN.

How Hackers Can Hack Your VPN?

Hacking a VPN service, especially a premium VPN, is difficult and almost impossible. But with sufficient resources, experienced hackers and other parties can compromise a VPN service. To hack a VPN, attackers consider various factors. Hackers usually target high-value assets worth their time. However, everyone can be at risk. Here’s how a VPN service can be hacked:

Exploitation of Software and Protocol Vulnerabilities

No software is entirely free of vulnerabilities, and VPNs are no exception. Hackers can exploit weaknesses in VPN protocols and software to gain unauthorized access. Outdated protocols, such as PPTP and L2TP/IPSec, are particularly susceptible. Even newer protocols can be vulnerable if not properly implemented. Premium VPNs often use secure protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2, which are less prone to attacks.

Breaking VPN Encryption

Encryption is how VPNs secure your connection and online actions. VPNs use encryption ciphers to transform your plaintext internet traffic into unreadable gibberish until it reaches its destination, where it’s decrypted.

The strength of encryption depends on the cipher and its implementation. Using strong ciphers with longer key lengths leads to stronger encryption.

Secure VPNs use AES encryption with a 256-bit key size. Other secure ciphers include Blowfish and ChaCha20 with various key lengths.

Weak or poorly implemented encryption can be broken through brute force or cryptographic attacks. While modern encryption methods are robust, the constant evolution of quantum computing poses a future threat, making it vital to stay updated with the latest security standards.

Getting Encryption Keys

Encryption keys are crucial for keeping your VPN secure. If hackers get hold of these keys, they can decrypt your data and see what you’re up to. While it’s tough for them to get these keys, it’s not impossible, especially for well-funded attackers like government agencies. The good news is that many VPN providers now use Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which creates unique session keys that change frequently. This makes it much harder for anyone to compromise your data.

Server Gets Hacked

All your VPN connections go through VPN servers and are stored for some time. Gaining access to and compromising a VPN server is the most reliable way to hack a VPN.

Hackers can compromise VPN servers if they’re not properly configured. Other hackers may gain access to the server by stealing login credentials or exploiting poor access control mechanisms.

In other cases, interested third parties such as governments may seize and hack VPN servers. This occurs when there’s a high-value target or in authoritarian countries.

How to Choose a VPN Resilient to Hacking?

Let us give you some tips on choosing a VPN that’s tough to hack. Here’s what to look for:

1. Secure VPN Protocols: Go for VPNs that use trusted protocols like, WireGuard, and IKEv2. Some, like iProVPN, even have their own extra secure protocols.
2. Strong Encryption: Make sure your VPN uses top-notch encryption, like AES-256. It’s what banks and the military trust because it’s very strong.
3. Server Security: Check if the VPN uses RAM-based servers and has a strict no-logs policy. Stuff like TrustedServer (used by iProVPN) keeps server software always updated and safe.
4. Jurisdiction and No-Logs Policy: Where a VPN is based can affect how much it’s at risk from government snooping. Pick providers in privacy-friendly countries. Also, make sure they have a solid no-logs policy. Even if a server gets hacked, there won’t be any user data to get hold of.

Cybersecurity Tips for Additional Protection

Here are some more  tips to keep your cybersecurity top-notch. Even if your VPN gets hacked, here’s what you can do:

Make sure all your accounts have strong passwords that you change regularly. It’s easier to manage them with a password manager. Also, add an extra layer of security with multi-factor authentication. This way, even if someone gets your password, they still can’t access your accounts.

Keep an eye on security alerts and news from your security and privacy services. This is the quickest way to find out if there’s been a breach and what info might be at risk.

If hackers can’t get through your VPN, they might try other tricks like malware or phishing. Antivirus/antimalware software will protect your system from viruses and malware. It’ll also try to fix any damage and keep your system safe from future attacks.

Use strong encryption to protect all your online and offline stuff. VPNs are great for encrypting your online actions, but it’s also smart to use secure services for messages, emails, and other online chats. And don’t forget to back up your data on different secure devices.

Make sure your software and systems are up-to-date. Outdated stuff can be an easy target for hackers. Set up your devices to automatically update software so you don’t have to worry about it.

Trust your instincts and be cautious when something seems too good to be true or out of the ordinary online, and don’t hesitate to seek help or advice if you suspect something is wrong.

Summing Up

A VPN isn’t invincible to hacking attempts. Like any software or service that uses the internet, a VPN can be vulnerable in various aspects. However, premium VPNs have fewer chances of being successfully hacked. Their strong encryption would take a long time to break. Additionally, hacking a VPN service is a time- and resource-consuming task. Hackers and interested parties are inclined to seek other ways they can use to compromise your online security and privacy. But you have to be cautious anyway. Hope tips from this article will help you stay safe while you’re having fun online!