Across the world, millions of people are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access adult websites such as Pornhub.

In many cases, the motivation is simple: bypass geo-blocks, avoid age-verification systems, or prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from seeing browsing activity.

But cybersecurity researchers warn that using free VPN services—particularly for visiting high-traffic adult sites—can introduce serious privacy and security risks.

In some cases, the tools people use to protect their anonymity may actually expose them to tracking, malware, or data harvesting.

Free VPN Surge Follows Pornhub Block — But Experts Warn the Workarounds Carry Risks

PN services have surged in popularity across Australia after major adult websites restricted local access to explicit content last week, prompting thousands of users to look for ways around the block.

A virtual private network (VPN) allows a device to appear as if it is connecting to the internet from another location—often a different country—effectively bypassing regional restrictions or content filters.

While the technology is widely used for legitimate purposes such as privacy protection or accessing corporate networks, it has increasingly become a tool for circumventing local internet rules.

The sudden interest comes after Aylo — one of the world’s largest adult-content operators — blocked Australian access to several of its major sites, including Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn and Tube8.

The restrictions appear linked to Australia’s evolving online safety and age-verification framework, overseen by the eSafety Commissioner.

The regulator’s guidance states that service providers are expected to detect when users are accessing their platforms via VPNs and take “reasonable steps” to prevent such workarounds.

VPN Apps Climb Download Charts

In the days following the block, VPN apps rapidly climbed app store rankings.

Proton VPN — which offers a free tier — jumped more than ten places in the Google Play charts, moving from number 19 to number seven within days.

Meanwhile, paid services such as NordVPN and Surfshark have also surged in popularity, appearing among the most downloaded apps on both iPhone and Android platforms this week.

The spike suggests many Australians are attempting to bypass regional restrictions imposed by adult websites.

Free VPN Providers Often Flagged for Privacy or Security Concerns

Well-known free VPNs criticised in privacy reports

• Hotspot Shield
• Hola VPN
• Betternet
• Opera VPN
• Onavo Protect

These services have previously been accused of logging browsing activity, injecting tracking libraries, or sharing data with third parties, according to privacy complaints and investigations.

Popular Free VPN Apps With Ongoing Privacy Questions

These are widely downloaded but frequently criticised by security researchers or privacy advocates.

• Turbo VPN
• VPN Proxy Master
• VPN Master
• SuperVPN
• Thunder VPN
• Snap VPN
• Yoga VPN
• Speed VPN
• Free VPN by Free VPN.org
• VPN Unlimited Proxy

Several of these apps have been linked to SDKs connected to companies in countries with strict surveillance laws, raising questions about their data handling practices.

Generic “White-Label” VPN Apps Often Flagged

Security researchers regularly warn about generic VPN apps with vague names, which are often built from shared codebases and may collect user data.

Examples frequently cited include:

• “Fast VPN”
• “Secure VPN”
• “Unlimited Free VPN”
• “Private VPN Proxy”
• “Best VPN Proxy”
• “Ultra VPN”
• “Free VPN – Unlimited Proxy”
• “Super Fast VPN”
• “Private Browser VPN”
• “VPN Free Proxy Master”

These apps are commonly white-label VPN clients using shared infrastructure and are sometimes associated with large networks of cloned apps across app stores.

VPN Apps Previously Removed or Investigated

Some free VPN services have been removed from app stores or exposed for questionable practices.

• JetVPN — exposed for using infrastructure belonging to other VPN providers without permission.
• SuperVPN — previously reported for major data leaks affecting millions of users.
• UFO VPN — widely reported in security research for exposing user logs.

A Massive Global Audience—and a Growing VPN Surge

Adult content remains one of the largest drivers of internet traffic. Industry analysis shows that Pornhub alone recorded over 1.8 billion visits in late 2024, making it one of the most visited sites on the web. 

When governments introduce age-verification laws or regional blocks, users often turn to VPNs to bypass restrictions.

In the United States, demand for VPN services surged dramatically when access restrictions were introduced in several states—rising as high as 1,150% in Florida after Pornhub blocked local traffic. 

The same pattern is now visible in Australia.

Following new online safety laws requiring strict age verification for adult content, VPN downloads in Australia nearly tripled to around 29,000 per day, with daily usage peaking at 1.32 million sessions. 

For many users, the quickest solution is simply downloading a free VPN app from an app store. That decision, however, may carry hidden risks.

The Dark Side of Free VPN Services

1. Most Free VPNs Track or Sell Your Data

The core problem with free VPN services is their business model. Operating VPN infrastructure—servers, bandwidth, and encryption—costs money. If the service is free, users themselves often become the product.

Research suggests

Multiple large-scale studies show systemic problems across free VPN apps:

• 80% of free VPNs may contain tracking features.
• Security scans of 800 free VPN apps found widespread vulnerabilities including outdated encryption and potential interception risks.
• Many request excessive permissions such as access to contacts or device storage.

Researchers also warn that some free VPNs can:

• Log browsing activity
• Inject advertising or trackers
• Route traffic through insecure servers
• Expose users to man-in-the-middle attacks
• Request deep system permissions capable of extracting data from devices.

This includes browsing habits, device identifiers, and sometimes location information. For users visiting adult websites, that data can be extremely sensitive.

In the worst cases, browsing activity—including visits to adult sites—can become part of advertising or data-broker datasets, potentially linked to personal identifiers.

2. Data Leaks Are Widespread

A major analysis of the top 100 free Android VPN apps found alarming security flaws:

• 88% leaked user data
• 71% shared information with third parties
• Over half contained serious privacy risks in their code 

For someone trying to hide their identity while visiting adult websites, this defeats the entire purpose of using a VPN.

Even worse, some VPNs leak the user’s real IP address, exposing the device to advertisers, trackers, or potentially malicious actors.

3. Malware Hidden Inside VPN Apps

Security researchers have also discovered that many free VPN apps contain malicious components.

One study found that 38% of free VPN apps on Android contained malware or adware, capable of stealing data or hijacking devices. 

Further research predicts that 39% of free Android VPNs could contain malware by 2025. 

These malicious apps may:

• Inject ads into websites
• Track browsing activity
• Install spyware on the device
• Redirect users to phishing pages

For users visiting adult sites—already common targets for malicious advertising—this creates a double layer of risk.

4. Free VPN Networks Can Manipulate Traffic

Academic research into free proxy and VPN networks has revealed deeper infrastructure risks. A large-scale analysis of more than 640,000 free proxies found that thousands actively manipulated web traffic, potentially altering or injecting content into pages. 

This opens the door to attacks such as:

• Malvertising injections
• Fake login prompts
• Credential-stealing phishing pages

For users accessing adult sites—where anonymity is often a priority—this manipulation can expose personal data or account credentials.

5. The Privacy Illusion

Many users believe that visiting Pornhub through a VPN guarantees anonymity. But security experts warn that privacy depends entirely on the trustworthiness of the VPN provider.

If a VPN provider logs activity, sells data, or leaks traffic, the user may actually be less private than browsing normally.

In extreme cases, the VPN provider itself may have full visibility of:

• Websites visited
• Time spent browsing
• Device identifiers
• IP addresses and locations

That information could be monetised, leaked, or exposed in a breach.

Why Adult-Site Traffic Is a Prime Target

Cybercriminals frequently target adult website traffic because:

• Users often prioritise anonymity over security
• Many visitors use unfamiliar software like free VPNs
• Embarrassment reduces the likelihood of reporting scams

This combination creates what cybersecurity analysts describe as a “high-value privacy dataset”—information about sensitive browsing behaviour tied to identifiable users.

The Bottom Line – Free VPN’s To Access PornHun

VPNs can be legitimate privacy tools, but free VPN services often undermine the very security they promise.

Current research suggests:

• Up to 80% of free VPNs include tracking features
• 88% leak user data
• 71% share data with third parties
• 39% may contain malware

At the same time, global traffic to sites like Pornhub continues to grow, and legal restrictions are pushing more users toward VPN workarounds.

The result is a rapidly expanding pool of users placing their most sensitive browsing activity in the hands of unverified, opaque VPN providers.

For cybersecurity experts, the warning is clear: when it comes to privacy online, “free” can be one of the most expensive choices a user makes.

Privacy Tool — or Privacy Risk?

VPN technology itself is not inherently dangerous and remains a critical tool for online privacy, journalists, and businesses. But experts say the quality and trustworthiness of the provider matters enormously.

With VPN downloads now surging across Australia, cybersecurity professionals are urging users to carefully research providers, read privacy policies, and be wary of services that promise “free unlimited access” without clearly explaining how they fund their operations.

As regulators and content platforms tighten controls around age-restricted content, the clash between internet restrictions and digital workarounds appears likely to intensify — and the rush toward quick VPN solutions may bring unintended security consequences.

Last December, Australia became the first nation to impose a nationwide ban on teenagers using social media.

A separate law that came into force this week requires AI-powered chatbot services to prevent minors from accessing content such as pornography, extreme violence, self-harm, and eating-disorder material.

Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (US$34.5 million).