The internet and everything that comes with it, are mostly unsecured in terms of privacy. VPN is one of the ways where people can opt for privacy by masking where and who they are.
TunnelBear is one of the players. And security giant McAfee has acquired the Canadian-based company, with plans to integrate the VPN's technologies into the company's own VPN product, Safe Connect.
"This investment is strategic for McAfee's consumer business as it further showcases our commitment to help keep our customers' online data and browsing private and more secure at a time when the threat landscape is growing in volume, speed and complexity," said McAfee CEO Christopher Young.
With the acquisition, McAfee still allows TunnelBear and its team to work under its own brand, and also due to the company was already profitable, providing paid VPN services for users using desktop and mobile apps for $4.99 to $9.99 per month
Generally, people should never fully trust any VPN company because the risks are too high. Because all traffic and internet activities are routed through their network, a VPN provider can basically see everything you do. Some of them analyze browsing habits, sell data to advertisers, inject their own ads on non-secured web pages and collaborate with local authorities.
There were good reviews about TunnelBear regarding its privacy policies. For example, it's one of the few VPN providers that have completed a security audit with a third-party company. The full report said that there weren't any critical security issue with TunnelBear’s service, with the report saying that it has medium and low vulnerabilities.
Originally as a Canadian company, it can be an issue for users that were trying to avoid intelligence services. But with the acquisition, the company becomes a U.S. company, and this means it should comply with the U.S. laws.
For this reason, its terms of services may change, and users are advised to keep an eye on it.
AcAfee itself was acquired by Intel back in 2011. Intel rebranded the company to Intel Security, before allowing it to operate as an independent company again.
TunnelBear acquisition marks the second acquisition after McAfee breaks up with Intel.
