Hola VPN is closed

When it comes to user security and privacy, Hola is likely not the best option on the market. Hola is a free service that works in a different way to conventional VPNs. Unlike most VPN providers, Hola does not depend on a fixed network of VPN servers. The provider describes its service as a "peer to peer" VPN. User internet traffic is rerouted through its users' devices. Thus, your web traffic may pass through the devices of other users, and the traffic of other users might pass through your computer.

This method does offer some advantages. There are no fixed VPN servers, which means it is harder for websites to detect your use of a VPN connection. It also reduces costs as there are no server management costs or bandwidth costs, meaning that the service can be offered for free.

However, there is a range of security risks that come with this method. Hola only protects web browser traffic and even that data is not encrypted in the same way as with other VPNs. Therefore, the service may be successful at unblocking streaming sites, but it will not provide the same level of privacy as a conventional VPN product.

One main issue is if you download one of Hola's apps, you are allowing the provider to use your device and system to reroute the data traffic of other users through your connection. The provider states that it only uses devices when they are connected to electricity and file and claims to use no more than 1000MB per day on desktops, 3MB from mobiles. However, if your device becomes an exit server for another user, more significant concerns arise. If the user sends spam or engages in dubious activities such as hacking, your IP address may become linked to those activities.

Users can prevent these issues by upgrading to Hola's Premium plan, which doesn't share your data with other users, and enables access to a network of Hola's own VPN servers.

Typical VPNs reroute your internet traffic through their own network of servers, meaning that they have the potential to log your activity. Hola's model of passing data through its users may seem like a tempting alternative, but it does come with its own issues.

Hola states that it regularly monitors the user network for security breaches or misuse and that it can link activity to the origin of any request it considers to be a security breach. Despite that this may be intended to catch hackers and cybercriminals, it requires a higher level of logging and monitoring than is typically seen with conventional VPNs.

The privacy policy also states that the company may store log data including access information, browser type, web requests, navigations request, web pages and applications accessed, access dates and times, bandwidth used, and time spent on web pages. Hola may also collect and store IP addresses, usernames, email addresses, device version, screen name, payment details, and more. So, if your anonymity and privacy are important to you, Hola is not a good choice.

The Hola free VPN service is available on almost every device and operating system. There are dedicated custom browsers for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Firefox.

It is necessary to note that if you choose to install one of the Hola free VPN apps rather than the browser extensions, you are allowing the provider to utilize some of your device's system, as the activity of other users may run through your connection. However, Hola does state that it only uses idle devices that are connected to a power source.

Upgrading to Hola's Premium subscription plan means that you do not have to share your connection with other Hola users. With Premium the service is available on a greater range of platforms and enables access to Hola's own network of servers. However, its annual plan is costly, at $7.69 a month. If you are happy with the basic tools, Hola's main service is free to use.

Installing Hola's free VPN on a Windows device will prompt customers to install the Chrome or Firefox extension and Hola app. Once the extension is installed, it monitors the websites you access and offers alternative countries for sites you may want to unblock. For example, if you are accessing a United Kingdom streaming site from the United States, you may be asked whether you want to continue as normal, without Hola, or using Hola with a UK IP address, or utilizing Hola with an IP address from a different country.

The Hola Free VPN version enables access to a range of streaming sites including United States Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. The free VPN version does limit access on certain sites such as Netflix to an hour a day. If you want unlimited time on your favorite streaming sites, you will need to sign up for the provider's premium plan.

Also, it is necessary to note that the free version will not always identify when you require assistance. In such cases, you can use the VPN Hola app in the same way as a typical VPN. Simply, click the address icon, select your desired location, and allow the web page to refresh before accessing your content.

If you are concerned about free Hola monitoring every website you access, you can deny the installation of the browser extension proxy and use the custom browser app. However, this does mean that you will have to let Hola share your connection and data with other customers.

The Hola VPN ltd browser provides a simple home page with icons for popular streaming websites including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. The company is successful at unblocking a decent range of streaming services and rarely encounters connectivity problems. This is impressive for a free product and is not a bad option if you want to stream media, but for most users, it may not be worth the security risks.