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Free VPN warning issued to all Brits as new online adult site rules confirmed
Millions of UK homes access the web has just changed, with new rules in place that are aimed at stopping people under the age of 18 from accessing adult content, with blocks popping up
The way millions of UK households connect to the internet has undergone a significant change. New regulations have been introduced to prevent individuals under 18 from accessing adult content, with blocks appearing until age verification is provided.
This latest development has been enforced by UK regulator Ofcom in response to concerns about the increasing number of young people visiting explicit websites. Ofcom elaborated: "This is a significant change to how adults in the UK access pornography, and is a key step in helping to protect children from harmful content when they're online."
As a result of this update, anyone attempting to visit certain websites will now need to input credit card or personal details before gaining access. While it's crucial to shield children from unsuitable content, some experts have cautioned that the new verification system could expose users to cyber threats, as fraudsters are likely to exploit the new system for their gain, reports the Mirror.
"There are still details of the act that are missing that could even pose significant privacy and security risks by collecting data such as ID uploads and financial information," explained Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET.
Given these concerns, many have opted to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to circumvent the new restrictions. A VPN conceals your IP address, giving the impression that you're accessing websites from a different country.
One VPN provider reports witnessing a massive surge in UK downloads, with these applications currently topping the charts on official app stores.
Whilst this might appear to be a swift solution, downloading free VPNs carries certain risks.
The web is awash with sites promising VPNs at no cost, but these offers are frequently too good to be true.
"One of the primary concerns with free VPNs online is that they may not have robust security features," the EC-Council University explained.
"Many free VPN providers lack the resources to develop and maintain strong security protocols, leaving their users vulnerable to cyber threats such as malware, hacking, and phishing.
"Free VPNs need to generate revenue, and they often do this by logging and selling users' data to third-party advertisers. These VPN providers may log your browsing history, online activity, and personal information and then sell it to advertisers, compromising your online privacy."
Should you be thinking about installing a VPN, ensure you conduct thorough research beforehand and avoid installing anything unless you're certain the product is completely safe.
Whilst free VPNs may sound appealing, they're riddled with dangers, meaning you'll almost certainly need to pay for a secure service.
"We understand the temptation of having a secure online connection for free," explained the team at Mozilla. "It's important that you know, however, that the risks of free VPNs may make you think twice about that free price tag. When VPNs are offered to users for free, that means that providers have to gain revenue in another way."
Daily Star Sunday
Millions of UK homes access the web has just changed, with new rules in place that are aimed at stopping people under the age of 18 from accessing adult content, with blocks popping up
The way millions of UK households connect to the internet has undergone a significant change. New regulations have been introduced to prevent individuals under 18 from accessing adult content, with blocks appearing until age verification is provided.
This latest development has been enforced by UK regulator Ofcom in response to concerns about the increasing number of young people visiting explicit websites. Ofcom elaborated: "This is a significant change to how adults in the UK access pornography, and is a key step in helping to protect children from harmful content when they're online."
As a result of this update, anyone attempting to visit certain websites will now need to input credit card or personal details before gaining access. While it's crucial to shield children from unsuitable content, some experts have cautioned that the new verification system could expose users to cyber threats, as fraudsters are likely to exploit the new system for their gain, reports the Mirror.
"There are still details of the act that are missing that could even pose significant privacy and security risks by collecting data such as ID uploads and financial information," explained Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET.
Given these concerns, many have opted to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to circumvent the new restrictions. A VPN conceals your IP address, giving the impression that you're accessing websites from a different country.
One VPN provider reports witnessing a massive surge in UK downloads, with these applications currently topping the charts on official app stores.
Whilst this might appear to be a swift solution, downloading free VPNs carries certain risks.
The web is awash with sites promising VPNs at no cost, but these offers are frequently too good to be true.
"One of the primary concerns with free VPNs online is that they may not have robust security features," the EC-Council University explained.
"Many free VPN providers lack the resources to develop and maintain strong security protocols, leaving their users vulnerable to cyber threats such as malware, hacking, and phishing.
"Free VPNs need to generate revenue, and they often do this by logging and selling users' data to third-party advertisers. These VPN providers may log your browsing history, online activity, and personal information and then sell it to advertisers, compromising your online privacy."
Should you be thinking about installing a VPN, ensure you conduct thorough research beforehand and avoid installing anything unless you're certain the product is completely safe.
Whilst free VPNs may sound appealing, they're riddled with dangers, meaning you'll almost certainly need to pay for a secure service.
"We understand the temptation of having a secure online connection for free," explained the team at Mozilla. "It's important that you know, however, that the risks of free VPNs may make you think twice about that free price tag. When VPNs are offered to users for free, that means that providers have to gain revenue in another way."
Daily Star Sunday