According to Forbes, Google’s vice president of trust and safety Laurie Richardson has confirmed a major security threat targeting billions of smartphone users worldwide. The company is warning about malicious applications disguised as legitimate VPN services that are spreading across multiple platforms. These fake VPNs don’t protect your privacy—they actually compromise it by installing password-stealing malware and remote access trojans. The threat actors are using sexually suggestive advertising to target consumers, particularly those seeking to bypass new age-validation obstacles for online content. This comes as VPN usage has spiked following the implementation of the Online Safety Act in the U.K. and similar state-based legislation in the U.S. that makes accessing online pornography more difficult.
The VPN reality check
Here’s the thing about consumer VPNs that the industry doesn’t want you to know: they’re not the privacy silver bullet they claim to be. Most people, most of the time, don’t actually need a VPN. I know that’s controversial, but it’s true. They won’t make you completely anonymous online because browser fingerprinting and other tracking methods can still identify you. And let’s be honest—how many of us are really at risk from those mythical Wi-Fi hackers in coffee shops anyway? VPNs have their uses for bypassing geo-restrictions, but they’re not security tools that replace a proper multi-layered defense strategy.
warning-matters-now”>Why this warning matters now
The timing here is really interesting. As the BBC reports, new laws in both the U.S. and U.K. are making it harder to access adult content without proper age verification. So what are people doing? They’re turning to VPNs in droves to get around these barriers. Threat actors know this and are capitalizing on the demand with fake services that promise access but deliver malware instead. These malicious apps might actually work to bypass restrictions, but they’ll also be quietly stealing your browsing history, private messages, and even cryptocurrency wallet information in the background. It’s a classic case of social engineering—exploiting human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities.
What you should actually do
So if you absolutely must use a VPN, here’s Google‘s advice: only download from official app stores and look for apps with the VPN badge in Google Play. Avoid free offers that seem too good to be true—because they probably are. And never sideload untrusted apps from random websites. Any VPN requesting permission to access your contacts or private messages should be an immediate red flag. Basically, treat VPN apps with the same skepticism you’d apply to any other software that promises to solve all your problems with a single click. Sometimes the “solution” creates more problems than it solves.
