To pay or not to pay: Spanish youth have the worst VPN usage habits
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 4:07 am
Ten years ago, many would say that a VPN (virtual private network) was a product for expert and geeky internet users. Now, almost 70% of Spaniards know what a VPN is , and one in four uses this cybersecurity tool , according to the VPN usage survey conducted by NordVPN.
However, the survey showed that members of Generation Z (aged 18-23 in the survey) – the post-millennial generation that is considered the most digitally active – seem to have the worst VPN habits in Spain. They tend to use free VPNs, potentially exposing themselves to various privacy and security risks.
On the other hand, Generation Y (23-35 years old) in Spain has the best VPN usage habits. This group usually uses paid VPNs with the intention of obtaining more privacy online.
“It is alarming that the uruguay number screening generation that uses the internet the most is the one that values their online privacy the least. Free VPNs do not charge monthly or annual fees, so they seem like an attractive option. However, these services still have to make money, so they often end up tracking and selling user data to third parties,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity advisor at NordVPN.
NordVPN's annual VPN usage survey is designed to help uncover and understand VPN usage habits. First conducted in 2020, the survey was conducted across 18 countries this year.
However, the survey showed that members of Generation Z (aged 18-23 in the survey) – the post-millennial generation that is considered the most digitally active – seem to have the worst VPN habits in Spain. They tend to use free VPNs, potentially exposing themselves to various privacy and security risks.
On the other hand, Generation Y (23-35 years old) in Spain has the best VPN usage habits. This group usually uses paid VPNs with the intention of obtaining more privacy online.
“It is alarming that the uruguay number screening generation that uses the internet the most is the one that values their online privacy the least. Free VPNs do not charge monthly or annual fees, so they seem like an attractive option. However, these services still have to make money, so they often end up tracking and selling user data to third parties,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity advisor at NordVPN.
NordVPN's annual VPN usage survey is designed to help uncover and understand VPN usage habits. First conducted in 2020, the survey was conducted across 18 countries this year.