15 Million Attempted Attacks Masquerading as VPNs: The Hidden Risk Behind Gen Z’s Privacy Pursuit
Gen Z uses privacy tools more actively than any other generation, but this trend may also make them targets for cybercriminals. Between October 2024 and September 2025, Kaspersky detected more than 15 million attempted attacks disguised as VPN applications. Instead of protecting users, these fake or cracked VPNs often deliver malware and potentially unwanted software — from downloaders and adware to trojans capable of stealing data and granting attackers remote access. According to research findings, Gen Z uses VPNs, encryption tools, anonymous browsers and other privacy-enhancing technologies twice as often as older age groups. Growing up in the era of data leaks, algorithmic tracking and hyper-connected social platforms has made them far more aware of how fragile online privacy can be. VPNs and anonymous browsers have become essential for shielding personal data, protecting online identities and securing public Wi-Fi use. But this shift comes with an unexpected danger: in their pur
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