Viral posts on Pakistani social media claim that transferring and receiving funds in your online bank account while using a virtual private network (VPN) is not secure and exposes you to hacking.
The statement is incorrect.
Say
“Alert,” writes one social media user on X, formerly known as Twitter, “since many social media links are down in the country, people are using VPNs. When VPN is on, do not log into your banking app or your personal data will be hacked.”
The post has been viewed nearly 9,000 times and liked more than 100 times.
Similar claims also emerged in Facebook.
Made
Using a VPN when logging into your online banking app does not expose you to hacking, digital and cyber security experts confirm.
Asad Baig, CEO and founder of Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), an Islamabad-based nonprofit working on media literacy and development in Pakistan, said: Verification of geographic data by phone that online claims are based on misconceptions about how VPNs work.
“In fact, VPNs further enhance the encryption process and do not cause any banking data leakage,” Baig said.
He added that for greater security, it is better to download and use VPNs from reputable brands. “But where do you download VPNs from? From the Play Store or the Apple App Store? The apps available on these platforms have already passed quality controls.”
Haroon Baloch, a digital rights activist and program director at Bytes for All (B4A), an Islamabad-based research organization focused on information technology, said some “underrated VPNs” can be risky, adding that paid VPNs are generally safer for online banking.
But he also noted that some VPNs can be free and still be trusted if they are from well-known companies. “However, paying for a VPN is often a safer option,” he added.
The same was stated by Khawaja Mohammad Ali, a cybersecurity expert and former regional head of the cybercrime wing of the government-run Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
“Paid VPNs, while not immune to issues, generally offer better security and privacy protection features, making them a safer option for sensitive activities like online banking,” he said in a message. “Always opt for a reputable VPN provider and consider the level of security and privacy that fits your needs.”
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