A-level VPN radar · criminal infrastructure takedown
First VPN Seized in Ransomware Crackdown: Safe VPN Alternatives for 2026
Law enforcement reportedly seized “First VPN,” a free VPN service used in ransomware and data-theft attacks. Here is how to evaluate free VPN risk and which no-logs VPN alternatives are safer for everyday privacy.
Quick take
The lesson is not that all VPNs are dangerous. The lesson is that unknown free VPNs can become criminal infrastructure, data collection pipes, or unreliable privacy theater. Choose audited providers with transparent ownership, clear logging policies, and modern leak protection.
- Mullvad VPN — privacy purists who want minimal account data
- Proton VPN — users wanting free tier from a reputable provider
- NordVPN — mainstream users who want speed and broad device support
Why a VPN seizure matters to ordinary users
Free VPNs attract two very different groups: privacy-conscious people trying to avoid tracking and criminals trying to hide traffic. When a service has weak ownership transparency, poor abuse controls, and no credible business model, those groups collide. Public reporting says First VPN was used in ransomware and data-theft attacks before law enforcement took it offline. That does not prove every user was criminal, but it does show why unknown free VPNs create reputation, privacy, and reliability risk.
If you used a service like this for ordinary browsing, your biggest concern is not that you committed a crime. Your concern is whether the app logged traffic, injected ads, bundled unwanted software, leaked DNS requests, or trained you to route sensitive accounts through infrastructure you cannot evaluate.
Free VPN risk checklist
- No clear owner, physical address, or leadership team.
- No independent audit or vague no-logs claims.
- Requires excessive phone permissions or sideloaded installs.
- Pushes crypto, adult, or piracy traffic as its main use case.
- Has no sustainable paid plan, making data monetization more likely.
- Cannot explain DNS leak protection, kill switch behavior, or jurisdiction.
What to do if you used First VPN or a similar service
- Uninstall the VPN app and remove configuration profiles from every device.
- Change passwords for accounts used while connected, starting with email, banking, crypto, cloud storage, and work accounts.
- Run a malware scan on Windows or Android devices where the VPN was installed.
- Check account security pages for unfamiliar login locations.
- Move to a reputable provider with published audits and a real support channel.
How Omellody scores safer alternatives
We prioritize audited logging policies, transparent ownership, app security, leak protection, pricing clarity, support quality, and whether the company has a sustainable non-surveillance business model. Streaming claims are secondary. A VPN that cannot explain its privacy model should not be trusted with your identity, travel activity, or work accounts.
Recommended products for this risk
Mullvad VPN 9.4/10
Best for: privacy purists who want minimal account data
Price: $5–€5 style flat monthly pricing
Pros
- anonymous account numbers
- strong WireGuard implementation
- transparent privacy posture
Cons
- not built for streaming first
- no big long-term discounts
Mullvad is a strong antidote to shady free VPNs because its business model is simple: users pay directly, accounts reveal little, and privacy tradeoffs are documented.
Proton VPN 9.2/10
Best for: users wanting free tier from a reputable provider
Price: Free tier plus paid plans
Pros
- reputable free plan
- audited no-logs claims
- good apps across platforms
Cons
- best speeds need paid plan
- streaming varies by server
If a user insists on free VPN access, Proton is safer than obscure free services because it has a public company, paid upgrade path, and mature security team.
NordVPN 9.0/10
Best for: mainstream users who want speed and broad device support
Price: Frequent multi-year discounts
Pros
- fast network
- independent audits
- extra threat protection tools
Cons
- renewal pricing needs watching
- account requires email
NordVPN is a practical mainstream pick for families leaving free VPNs behind. It balances speed, simplicity, and recognizable support.
Surfshark 8.8/10
Best for: households with many devices
Price: Budget-friendly multi-year plans
Pros
- unlimited devices
- good app coverage
- extras like Alternative ID
Cons
- privacy buyers should review feature settings
- renewal jumps can be high
Surfshark is useful when the household wants one paid plan across phones, laptops, TVs, and travel devices rather than a patchwork of free apps.
ExpressVPN 8.7/10
Best for: travelers who prioritize polished apps and support
Price: Premium monthly/annual pricing
Pros
- excellent usability
- strong router support
- good reliability while traveling
Cons
- expensive versus rivals
- fewer advanced controls
ExpressVPN remains a premium alternative for users who value simple apps and reliable connections more than the lowest possible price.
Comparison table
| Product | Score | Typical price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad VPN privacy purists who want minimal account data | 9.4/10 | $5–€5 style flat monthly pricing | anonymous account numbers, strong WireGuard implementation, transparent privacy posture | not built for streaming first, no big long-term discounts |
| Proton VPN users wanting free tier from a reputable provider | 9.2/10 | Free tier plus paid plans | reputable free plan, audited no-logs claims, good apps across platforms | best speeds need paid plan, streaming varies by server |
| NordVPN mainstream users who want speed and broad device support | 9.0/10 | Frequent multi-year discounts | fast network, independent audits, extra threat protection tools | renewal pricing needs watching, account requires email |
| Surfshark households with many devices | 8.8/10 | Budget-friendly multi-year plans | unlimited devices, good app coverage, extras like Alternative ID | privacy buyers should review feature settings, renewal jumps can be high |
| ExpressVPN travelers who prioritize polished apps and support | 8.7/10 | Premium monthly/annual pricing | excellent usability, strong router support, good reliability while traveling | expensive versus rivals, fewer advanced controls |
FAQ
Are all free VPNs unsafe?
No. A reputable company can offer a limited free tier funded by paid plans. The danger is obscure free VPNs with unclear ownership, excessive permissions, and no sustainable business model.
Should I use a VPN for illegal activity?
No. Omellody recommends VPNs for privacy, safer public Wi-Fi, travel access, and reducing tracking—not for crime or abuse.
What is the safest free VPN option?
For most users, a reputable limited free tier such as Proton VPN is safer than an unknown unlimited free VPN. Unlimited free services usually require a business model you should scrutinize.
Can police seizure expose ordinary VPN users?
It depends on the provider logs and legal process. This is why audited no-logs policies and minimal account data matter.
What should I check before installing any VPN?
Check ownership, audits, jurisdiction, app permissions, DNS leak protection, kill switch behavior, renewal pricing, and whether independent reviewers have tested it.
Sources checked
- BleepingComputer — reported law-enforcement seizure of First VPN used in ransomware and data-theft attacks
- TechRadar — reported the same free-VPN crackdown and consumer implications