"Are VPNs Really the Answer?"

According to researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M), a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be one tool in an Internet user's toolbox, but it is insufficient in meeting all privacy needs. Thousands of Internet users rely on VPNs to protect their privacy and security while living and working online every day. However, recent research conducted at U-M has cast doubt on the accuracy of these expectations. VPNs enable users to create "tunnels" through their network to conceal their activities and identities as well as to establish secure connections to other Internet sites. VPNs would appear to be an ideal tool for escaping surveillance or securely accessing restricted content, but recent research indicates that users who rely on VPNs may be more vulnerable to surveillance than previously believed. Over the past two years, U-M researchers have conducted a series of research projects under the VPNalyzer initiative to expose issues such as critical flaws in popular currently available commercial VPNs, the ability of network service providers and governments to identify and block VPN use, and gaps in understanding between VPN users and VPN providers. This article continues to discuss the multi-perspective study of VPN users and VPN providers.

The University of Michigan reports "Are VPNs Really the Answer?"