Leaving the complexity of attempting to circumvent the great firewall aside, VPN isn't free. Not many are willing to drop £60+/year just to avoid identifying yourself on PH. Easier to find a website that doesn't enforce it.
I'd be careful if I were you. The police could use that as an excuse to raid you.
Yes it is, well, the shady ones that make you part of a botnet are. Those are the ones people are going to predominantly use.