Though the security concerns with using them are negligible, they’re not the best solution for other reasons.

What are these virtual servers, and are they as secure as physical ones?

What Are Virtual Servers for a VPN?

ExpressVPN running on an iPhone 13 Pro

Justin Duino / How-To Geek

Virtual servers areVPN serversthat don’t exist in the physical world.

Like avirtual machineon your desktop computer, the server has been simulated on another rig.

That’s really all it takes: an updated registry and a suitable virtual environment.

However, for people that still need an Indian IP address, the company still offers them.

This way, Proton VPN and its customers get to have their cake and eat it, too.

Users get an Indian IP address, yet they and the company don’t need to comply withIndian law.

One company that offers virtual IP addresses in countries like these isExpressVPN.

However, if using a virtual IP address, the server could be anywhere.

This could slow your browsing down to a crawl.

Are Virtual Servers Secure?

There’s also the issue of security.

I can attest to this: a good example is when using a virtual IP tounblock Netflix.

I connected to a Japanese IP address, but when I checked Netflix, I got the U.S. library.

However, this unmasking isn’t a direct privacy threat.

That said, it’s important that you’re using a VPN that takes security seriously.

Different countries have different rules for when information can be requested.

Should You Use Virtual Servers?

As a result of these issues, not all that many VPNs use virtual servers.

As a result, it’s very much a consumer’s choice whether or not to use virtual servers.

If you trust your VPN, there probably isn’t a real issue with using a virtual server.

Even if it fails, you’ll just revert to the IP address of the physical server.

Just don’t expect too much of it, and you’ll be fine.