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Is Fortinet’s Free VPN Really Gone for Good? The Surprising Truth You Need to Know!
Did Fortinet discontinue its free VPN client, or is there more to the story? If you’re an IT administrator or someone who relies on Fortinet’s security products, recent changes may have you wondering about the future of their free VPN service. Here’s a straightforward explanation of what’s happening.
For years, Fortinet provided a free VPN-only client as part of its FortiClient software package. This tool became a go-to for many, offering a secure way to connect to networks without a paid license. However, with the release of FortiClient version 7.4.4, things have changed. The free VPN-only option is no longer included in this new version.
This has led to confusion and concern. Many are asking if this is the end of Fortinet’s free VPN. The short answer is no, but with an important catch. You can still use the older version, FortiClient 7.4.3, which includes the free VPN-only client. Fortinet has confirmed that this version remains available for those who need it.
So, what does this mean for you? If you are currently using the free VPN client, you can continue to do so with version 7.4.3. However, this version will not receive any new feature updates. More importantly, at some point, it will likely stop receiving security patches, which could leave your system vulnerable.
Why Did Fortinet Make This Change?
Fortinet’s official notice for version 7.4.4 states that since there were no new feature updates for the free VPN-only client between versions 7.4.3 and 7.4.4, they did not include a new version of it in the latest release. While this is the official reason, there are other technical factors that may have influenced this decision.
One significant change in FortiClient 7.4.4 is the removal of support for IPsec VPN IKEv1, a protocol that many free VPN users still rely on. The new version only supports the more modern IKEv2 protocol. Since the free client would not work for users with IKEv1 configurations, this could be a major reason for its exclusion from the new release.
This move appears to be part of a broader trend in the industry where companies are encouraging users to move toward licensed, more feature-rich products. By limiting the free version, Fortinet may be pushing more users to adopt their paid solutions, which offer more comprehensive security features and support.
What Are Your Options Now?
If you are affected by this change, you have a few paths you can take:
- Continue with the old version: You can keep using the FortiClient 7.4.3 free VPN-only agent for now. This is the simplest solution, but be mindful of the long-term security risks, as it will eventually become outdated.
- Switch to a native VPN client: You can configure a native VPN client on your operating system, such as the one built into Windows. This can be set up to connect to your FortiGate firewall using IPsec IKEv2. For added security, you can implement certificate-based multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Purchase a license: If your organization relies heavily on Fortinet’s ecosystem, you might consider purchasing a license for the full FortiClient. This will give you access to the latest features, ongoing support, and regular security updates.
The decision to no longer bundle the free VPN client with the latest FortiClient version has understandably caused some confusion. While the free option has not been completely eliminated, its future is uncertain. For now, you can still use the older 7.4.3 version, but it is wise to start exploring more secure, long-term alternatives.