What’s a VPN—And How Does It Actually Work? A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is a service that routes your online traffic through a secure, encrypted connection to a server run by the VPN company. When you use a VPN, your device creates this private tunnel to the server. All your browsing data travels through it before reaching its final destination.
That means anyone trying to spy on your internet activity—like your internet provider or someone on the same public Wi-Fi—won’t be able to see what you’re doing. All they’ll catch is scrambled, encrypted data heading to a VPN server. On top of that, since your traffic exits from the VPN’s server, websites and online services think you’re located wherever the VPN server is—not your actual location.
Think of it like hiring a secure courier to deliver your online requests. You send them in a sealed envelope to the VPN server, which opens and forwards them to the destination. When the response comes back, the server wraps it up again and sends it through the tunnel back to you. The entire process happens almost instantly and makes it much harder for anyone to trace your online actions.
Modern VPNs rely on tough encryption protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard to keep this tunnel locked down. These protocols use trusted ciphers like AES-256 or ChaCha20—basically military-grade encryption that makes your data unreadable to outsiders. Better VPNs also route your DNS queries through their tunnel, using private or encrypted DNS servers so that your internet provider doesn’t see what websites you’re visiting. (DNS servers are like the address books of the internet—if they leak, so can your browsing habits.)
In short, a VPN shields and reroutes your internet data. Originally built for corporate security, they’ve become essential for everyday people who care about digital privacy. Whether you're working from home, traveling, or just want to limit how much of your data gets scooped up online, a VPN can help keep your digital footprint more private.
Why do you need a VPN (Privacy, Security, Bypassing Censorship)
In today’s world of constant electronic surveillance and extensive data collection, using a VPN can help you regain a measure of security and privacy online. Here are several key reasons why having a VPN might be necessary:
Protect Your Browsing from ISPs and Spying: Every website you visit can be recorded by your ISP, who may then use or restrict that information. ISPs are allowed to store and sell their customers' browsing records in many countries. By scrambling up your data, a VPN prevents your ISP and any network administrator from seeing the actual URLs or content you view, only the encrypted data. That is crucial if you live under strict internet surveillance laws or are worried about government monitoring. Because your ISP only sees an encrypted stream of data to a VPN server, a VPN prevents random spying and makes bulk surveillance more challenging, but it won't make you untouchable.
Secure Your Data on Public Wi-Fi: Hackers like to target public Wi-Fi networks, such as those located in coffee shops, airports, hotels, and other locations. Because these networks are typically unprotected, hackers can intercept data sent by other network users, including passwords and personally identifiable information. A VPN encrypts your connection and shields it from other users on the network when you use it over public Wi-Fi. Even if a hacker manages to get his hands on your Wi-Fi data, they will only obtain encrypted gibberish and not your personal information. Potential public network snoopers are stopped in their tracks by a VPN, which functions similarly to an unbreakable lock on what you send and receive.
Bypass Geo-Restrictions and Censorship: Certain websites or services are geo-restricted by providers in different places or blocked by local governments. By using servers located in different areas, a VPN enables you to reroute your connection and trick websites into thinking you are in an area where you are permitted. For example, journalists and activists use VPNs to access the open internet and bypass government censorship. By connecting to a VPN back home, visitors can access websites as freely as if they were at home. A VPN is a quick fix for free access, whether you're trying to see a film that's only accessible elsewhere or access social media that's prohibited where you're travelling.
Protect Your Voice and Video Calls: VPNs are used for more than just online browsing; they are also used to encrypt messaging apps, video conferences, and voice calls. VPNs can guarantee that your ISP or anybody else can no longer easily intercept communications when you're using VoIP or messaging services without end-to-end encryption. In essence, it gives your whole online activity—from email to streaming videos—an extra layer of anonymity so that it cannot be linked to you or intercepted when you're out and about.
General Peace of Mind: A VPN gives you the assurance that your online activities are private and confidential, even if you're not doing anything "sensitive." It is a fundamental practice in data hygiene. A VPN hides your internet activities, just like you might hide your curtains at home without doing anything wrong. A VPN removes the constant fear that someone is tracking your actions, prevents websites and trackers from attempting to link your behaviour, and prevents advertising from profiling you based on your IP address. Using a VPN as part of your daily routine is a good opsec practise
To put it simply, you need a VPN whenever you want more privacy, security, or freedom than the standard internet can provide.
The Problem with Most VPNs: Many Services Are Ineffective or Even Harmful
All those advantages might make it seem like using any VPN is automatically a smart move. But that’s far from the truth. Not all VPNs are created equal—in fact, many of them actually jeopardize the privacy and security they claim to protect. It’s important to recognize the red flags in the VPN market so you can spot the good ones from the bad. Here’s why many VPNs can do more harm than good:
“No-Logs” That Turn Out to Be Lies: VPN companies love to promise “no logging,” suggesting they don’t store any of your online activity. But some have been caught doing exactly that—logging user data in secret. Take PureVPN, for example. They claimed they didn’t keep logs, but later handed over connection data to the FBI that helped identify a user. Turns out, they were recording IP addresses and timestamps. The big takeaway? When you use a VPN, you’re placing your trust in that company instead of your internet provider—and if the VPN lies, you’re no better off. Always look for VPNs that have been independently audited or have proven no-log records in real-world scenarios.
Data Leaks and Tracking in Disguise: Beyond trust issues, many free or low-cost VPN apps are filled with technical flaws. Security researchers have found that the vast majority of free VPN apps leak data, contain hidden trackers, or secretly log user activity. A 2024 study found that 88% of the top free Android VPNs had serious privacy flaws like IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. And 71% included third-party tracking tools or shared data with outside companies. Basically, while these VPNs might block one danger (like someone snooping on Wi-Fi), they create another by selling your data to advertisers, with free VPN's you're paying with your privacy.
Shadowy Owners and Questionable Jurisdictions: The VPN space has exploded, and with it, many shady companies have entered the mix—often hiding behind fake names and operating from countries with poor privacy protections. One investigation found that 59% of popular free VPNs were secretly owned by companies in China, and 86% had either weak or non-existent privacy policies. Some of these companies have ties to ad tech firms or even malware distributors. Also, where a VPN is based matters: services in countries like the US or UK (which are part of global intelligence alliances) can be compelled by secret court orders to log and hand over user data. Jurisdiction counts—a truly private VPN should either operate from a privacy-respecting country or be built so that it retains no logs to begin with.
Outdated Tech That Leaves You Vulnerable: Not all VPNs use secure technology. Some rely on outdated protocols like PPTP, which are so weak they’re considered insecure by today’s standards. Using them can actually make your connection less safe. Even worse, some VPNs don’t properly encrypt DNS requests, which can lead to leaks that expose what websites you visit. And if a VPN shares infrastructure with other companies or lacks good security practices, your data is at greater risk. Security is about more than just having encryption—it’s about how the whole system is built and maintained.
Over-the-Top Marketing Hype: The VPN industry is flooded with catchy advertising, influencer sponsorships, and convincing (but paid) reviews. Many of the most VPNs are promoted heavily because they offer affiliate payouts. Affiliate marketing affects the truth—most “best VPN” lists exist to make money, not to inform. You’ll often see exaggerated promises like “100% anonymity” or “military-grade encryption,” which sound impressive but don’t mean much without context. These claims mislead users into thinking a VPN makes them invincible, which can cause risky behavior. VPNs are not invisibility cloaks—any provider that implies otherwise isn’t being honest.
The Hidden Cost of “Free” VPNs: Free VPNs deserve special attention because they attract users who understandably want privacy without paying for it. But as the old saying goes, if something’s free, you are probably the product. In addition to data logging and tracking, free VPNs often come with serious drawbacks—slow speeds, tiny data caps, and very few servers. This leads some users to disable the VPN “just for a minute,” which defeats the whole point. Some free VPNs have even done outright unethical things. HolaVPN, for example, was caught selling its users’ bandwidth to strangers, turning their computers into unpaid internet exit points. Some “free” VPNs are actually worse than having no VPN at all. Unless a free VPN is part of a trusted provider’s limited offering or an open-source project, it’s often not worth the gamble.
VPNs That Truly Protect Your Privacy (as of now)
Mullvad VPN Mullvad is a Sweden-based VPN that’s become almost legendary in privacy circles. Mullvad takes the no marketing hype, just serious privacy protections approach . You don’t even need an email or username to sign up—just visit their site and they’ll generate a random account number. That number is your key. No names, no email, no fuss.
And when it comes to payment? Sure, you can use a credit card or PayPal—but if you want to stay anonymous, they accept cash in the mail and cryptocurrencies like Monero. It’s built from the ground up for people who don’t want to be tracked.
Their no-logs policy isn’t a buzzword—it’s been tested in real life. In 2023, Swedish police came knocking with a warrant, ready to seize servers and hunt for customer data. They left empty-handed. Mullvad had nothing to give—because they don’t store logs at all. Their CEO even demonstrated their system to the authorities, showing exactly how the service works without collecting user data. That kind of real-world proof is rare—and powerful.
From a technical standpoint, Mullvad delivers the goods. All of their apps (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) are open source and have passed independent security audits. They’re transparent to the core—publishing those audit results, conducting regular security reviews, and even running a project called System Transparency that aims to make servers tamper-proof and verifiable. Their infrastructure is moving toward a RAM-only model, meaning servers don’t store anything on disk, which adds another layer of privacy protection.
Encryption? Top-tier. Mullvad was one of the earliest adopters of the modern WireGuard protocol, and their apps come with essentials like a kill switch and DNS leak protection baked in. They even run their own DNS servers to make sure your web lookups stay private.
They don’t do affiliate marketing or influencer sponsorships—at all. If you hear someone praising Mullvad, it’s likely because they actually use and trust the service, not because they’re getting paid to promote it. Their pricing is refreshingly simple: €5 per month, flat rate. No sales. No limited-time offers. No “lifetime deals” with strings attached.
In short, Mullvad nails the fundamentals: anonymous accounts, proven no-logs, a privacy-friendly legal base (Sweden), open-source software, transparent business practices, and a philosophy of privacy before profits. If you're serious about protecting your digital identity, Mullvad should be high on your list.
IVPN is another standout name among privacy-first VPNs. While it’s a smaller outfit based in Gibraltar, it is extremely efficient when it comes to privacy protections—and has earned a loyal following because of it.
Like Mullvad, IVPN doesn’t require any personal info to get started. You can create an account completely anonymously and even pay with cash or cryptocurrency. If you’re serious about staying off the radar, they’ve got you covered.
All of IVPN’s apps are open source, and the company has gone through independent audits to back up both their no-logs claims and software security. Every year, they publish a transparency report detailing how many data requests they’ve received from outside parties—and to date, they’ve handed over zero user data. That’s exactly what you want from a no-logs VPN.
IVPN also stands out for its privacy-enhancing features. You can use multi-hop connections, which route your traffic through two VPN servers in different countries, adding another layer of separation between you and your destination. They also include a built-in firewall that blocks ads and trackers at the network level, giving you cleaner browsing and more privacy by default.
In terms of business ethics, IVPN takes an honest stance. Like Mullvad, they don’t play the affiliate marketing game. In fact, they go a step further and publish a privacy manifesto on their website explaining their commitment to not track users or manipulate narratives. It’s a bold and transparent approach in a space that’s often flooded with sketchy promises.
Even though IVPN might not be as big as some of its competitors, it’s widely respected as one of the most transparent and principled VPN services you can choose.
Proton Vpn :
ProtonVPN isn’t just sticking to the basics—it brings some pretty advanced tools to the table. One standout feature is their Secure Core servers. These are essentially multi-hop connections that start in privacy-strong countries like Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden, and only then pass your traffic to the rest of the internet. So even if an exit server in a riskier region is ever compromised, your data still went through a highly secure entry point first. It's an extra layer of protection for users who need it.
They also offer built-in Tor integration. This means you can connect to a special VPN server that automatically routes your traffic through the Tor network—giving you access to .onion sites without having to fire up the Tor Browser. It’s a nice option for people who want Tor-level anonymity but prefer the convenience of a VPN app.
They support anonymous payments, including Bitcoin and even cash—you can mail cash to their Swiss office. . The service also includes all the must-haves like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a smooth, user-friendly app experience across devices.
What Makes a Good VPN? Key Features to Look For
So, how do you tell a truly private, secure VPN apart from the noise? While marketing buzz and influencer hype are everywhere, solid providers all share a few core traits. Here’s a breakdown of what to actually look for when evaluating a VPN:
Verified No-Logs Policy: A good VPN doesn’t just say “no logs”—it proves it. The gold standard is a provider that has undergone independent third-party audits or has withstood real-world legal tests without handing over data. Mullvad, for instance, came out clean after a police raid. If there’s no public audit or legal case to review, dig into their privacy policy. Be wary of vague terms like “no activity logs”—many VPNs still retain metadata unless they explicitly state otherwise.
Privacy-Respecting Jurisdiction: Where a VPN is legally headquartered matters. Ideal locations have no mandatory data retention laws and sit outside surveillance-sharing alliances like Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes. Countries like Switzerland, Panama, and Sweden are common choices. That said, jurisdiction isn’t everything—if a VPN doesn’t keep logs, even a court order can’t extract data that doesn’t exist.
Open Source and Transparent Infrastructure: Top VPNs offer open-source clients and have had their infrastructure and code audited by security researchers. This transparency allows independent verification and reduces the risk of backdoors. Also look for regular transparency reports and warrant canaries—indicators that the company is being upfront about government requests and legal pressure.
Modern Protocols and Security Features: A solid VPN should use up-to-date, secure protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN, paired with strong encryption (AES-256 or ChaCha20). Steer clear of services offering PPTP or outdated options—those are no longer considered safe. Core features should include a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and IPv6 handling. Some providers go further with RAM-only servers, split tunneling, and built-in tracker blocking.
Minimal Data Collection at Signup: Privacy-focused VPNs let you sign up with no personal details, or at most an alias email. The best ones offer anonymous payment methods—think cryptocurrency, gift cards, or even mailed cash. If you’re asked for a full name and phone number just to create an account, that’s a red flag.
No Gimmicks in the Business Model: Be cautious of lifetime deals, aggressive discounts, and “limited-time offers.” Privacy-respecting VPNs typically charge a flat, sustainable rate. They don’t rely on affiliate spam or paid reviews, and they aren’t pushing free plans that come with hidden surveillance costs.
Bottom line: a good VPN is one you can verify, not just one you’re told to trust. Transparency, audits, technical rigor, and honest policies matter far more than slick branding or glowing YouTube reviews.
VPN Strengths and Limitations: What Even the Best VPN Can and Cannot Do
Even the best VPN out there isn't a silver bullet for all privacy or security issues. It’s important to understand both what VPNs do very well and where their protection ends—so you can use them effectively, without falling into a false sense of security.
What a VPN Does Well
Encrypts Your Internet Traffic: A VPN wraps your entire internet connection in encryption from your device to the VPN server. This makes it nearly impossible for outsiders—like your ISP, a public Wi-Fi admin, or a local attacker—to see what you're doing online. They only see encrypted noise.
Masks Your IP Address: When you're connected, websites and services see the VPN server’s IP, not your real one. That helps anonymize your location and makes it harder to link browsing activity across sessions.
Bypasses Geo-Restrictions and Censorship:
VPNs let you route traffic through other countries, effectively sidestepping censorship or content blocks. Useful for journalists, travelers, and anyone living in or visiting countries with restricted access.
Adds a Privacy Layer to All Apps, System-Wide:
Unlike browser-based privacy tools, a VPN encrypts all internet activity on your device—browsers, apps, OS updates, everything. That’s especially helpful for apps that don’t natively use HTTPS or offer encrypted comms.
Protects Against Local Network Threats:
On public Wi-Fi or other untrusted networks, VPNs block eavesdroppers from sniffing your traffic or injecting malicious content. This is one of their most practical and immediate benefits.
What a VPN Does Not Do
It Doesn’t Make You Anonymous by Itself: If you're logged into Google or Facebook while using a VPN, you're still you. A VPN hides your IP, not your identity. It also doesn’t block cookies, browser fingerprinting, or behavioral tracking.
It Won’t Stop Malware or Phishing: VPNs don’t scan files or block malicious downloads. They won’t save you from clicking a bad link or installing malware. Use antivirus and practice good operational security (opsec).
It Doesn’t Replace HTTPS: VPNs encrypt traffic to the VPN server. If a website doesn’t use HTTPS, the connection from the VPN server to that site can still be unencrypted. Always look for HTTPS, even when using a VPN.
It Can’t Hide You From All Tracking: Advertisers and analytics companies use many tracking methods that don’t rely on IP address—cookies, browser/device fingerprinting, app SDKs, etc. A VPN helps, but it’s just one layer.
It’s Not a Free Pass for Illegal Activity: VPNs raise the bar for tracking, but they don’t make you immune to targeted surveillance, subpoenas, or law enforcement. Especially if you make operational mistakes.
It Can (Slightly) Slow Down Your Connection: Because your traffic is being routed through another server, latency can increase and speeds can dip—though with WireGuard and high-quality providers, this is often barely noticeable.
Bottom Line
VPNs are excellent at protecting network-level privacy and security. They shield your traffic from local observers, hide your IP, and help bypass restrictions. But they're not an all-in-one solution. For complete digital hygiene, a VPN should be used alongside other tools: encrypted messaging, hardened browsers, 2FA, strong passwords, and secure habits.
Use your VPN as a strong foundational layer, not your only defense.
How to Purchase and Use a VPN Securely (Anonymous Payments & Best Practices)
If you’ve settled on a trustworthy VPN provider, there’s still one more piece to consider: how you sign up and configure it. The way you purchase and use a VPN can affect your privacy just as much as which provider you choose. Here’s how to do it right.
Choose a VPN That Doesn’t Require Personal Info The most privacy-respecting VPNs let you create an account without providing any personal details. Mullvad is the prime example—you get a randomly generated account number, no email required. Others, like IVPN, let you use an alias or temporary email.
If the VPN forces you to hand over a full name, phone number, or even billing address just to sign up—consider that a red flag.
Pay Anonymously (Cash, Crypto, or Gift Cards) To avoid linking your identity to your VPN account, use payment methods that don’t trace back to you:
Cryptocurrency (like Monero or Bitcoin): Some VPNs accept crypto directly. Prefer non-custodial wallets over exchange accounts and use Monero for maximum opsec. . Cash by Mail: Mullvad and ProtonVPN accept cash mailed to their offices. It’s slow, but totally anonymous.
Gift Cards or Prepaid Debit Cards: Some providers allow payments via retailer gift cards. If bought with cash, these are nearly untraceable.
For everyday use, it’s fine to pay with a card if you trust the provider—but anonymous options are ideal for high-risk users.
Use Secure Channels to Sign Up If you want to maximize anonymity, sign up while connected to a public network or via Tor Browser. Some VPNs (like Mullvad) even offer .onion addresses so you can access their site entirely through Tor.
That way, even your visit to the VPN website doesn’t show up in your ISP logs.
Install and Configure the App Properly Once you’ve signed up, download the official app from the provider’s site or a verified app store. Then:
Enable the Kill Switch – ensures no traffic leaks if the VPN disconnects. Turn On DNS Leak Protection – prevents DNS requests from bypassing the VPN tunnel. Set It to Auto-Connect on Startup – so your device is always protected. Many VPNs also let you block IPv6 and disable LAN traffic, which can reduce leak potential further.
Use Split Tunneling if Needed Some VPN apps offer split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps or sites bypass the VPN. Useful if certain services (like banking apps or streaming platforms) break under a VPN connection. Use sparingly, as it introduces complexity and potential for leaks.
Connect to the Right Server For everyday use, pick a server geographically close to your location for the best speed. If you need to spoof a region (for content access or to avoid censorship), select a server accordingly.
Some VPNs offer “Secure Core” or multi-hop options, which route your traffic through multiple countries for added separation. Use these when you need extra anonymity.
Update Regularly Treat your VPN app like any other security software—keep it up to date. Good providers regularly patch vulnerabilities and improve performance.
Use It Consistently Privacy isn’t something you toggle on and off. Get in the habit of keeping your VPN on by default, especially on public Wi-Fi or when handling sensitive data. Inconsistency creates patterns and leaks.
In short: even with a strong VPN, you’re only getting full protection if you purchase and configure it carefully. Avoid linking it to your identity, lock down the settings, and use it like your digital seatbelt: always on when you’re online.
Using a VPN Properly: Tips for Maximum Privacy and Performance
Even with a top-tier VPN, how you use it day-to-day determines how much privacy and security you actually get. Misconfiguration or inconsistent habits can undermine the benefits. Here’s how to stay protected while maintaining a smooth experience.
Keep Your VPN On by Default Many users make the mistake of only turning on their VPN when using public Wi-Fi or accessing restricted content. That inconsistency creates identifiable patterns—like switching between your real IP and VPN IP—which can be used to correlate activity across sessions.
Best practice: leave your VPN connected by default. Most providers have an auto-connect feature. Use it.
Use Nearby Servers for Speed Performance is heavily influenced by server proximity.
For general use, connect to a server geographically close to you. For content access or privacy from local jurisdictions, select a foreign location—but expect added latency. Use the WireGuard protocol when available. It's faster and more efficient than OpenVPN, especially over long distances.
Always Enable the Kill Switch This is non-negotiable. A kill switch ensures your traffic doesn’t leak if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.
Test it: disconnect your internet while connected to the VPN. Then restore it. Your device should stay offline until the VPN reconnects.
Regularly Test for IP, DNS, and WebRTC Leaks Use tools like:
https://ipleak.net
https://dnsleaktest.com
Confirm that:
Your real IP and DNS servers aren’t visible WebRTC isn’t leaking local IPs (especially in browsers like Chrome) Some VPNs block these leaks by default, others require browser or system tweaks.
Use Split Tunneling Strategically Split tunneling allows certain apps to bypass the VPN. Use it sparingly—for apps that truly won’t function under VPN (e.g., banking). But remember: anything excluded from the tunnel is no longer protected.
Consider Router-Level VPN for Full Coverage Installing the VPN on your router ensures all devices on your network are covered—smart TVs, IoT devices, game consoles, etc.
Downside:
Setup requires compatible firmware (e.g., OpenWRT or DD-WRT) Performance depends on router hardware Some flexibility is lost Still, it’s a powerful “always-on” option for advanced users.
Use Multiple Browsers or Profiles to Compartmentalize Separate personal, work, and pseudonymous browsing. Combine VPN use with privacy-focused browsers like Mullvad Browser or Tor Browser for stronger compartmentalization.
Example setup:
Personal browsing → Firefox + VPN Anonymous activities → Mullvad Browser + VPN or Tor Pay Attention to App Behavior & Connection Failures If a VPN connection suddenly drops or fails to start, don’t ignore it. Some apps may attempt to reconnect in the background, leaking traffic if the kill switch isn’t active.
Always confirm you're connected before performing sensitive actions.
Don’t Mix VPN with Identifying Logins Logging into your real-name Google, Facebook, or bank accounts while connected to a VPN defeats most privacy benefits. These platforms don’t need your IP to identify you—they have everything else.
Use a separate browser or session for identity-linked activity, and avoid crossing streams.
Conclusion: A VPN is a powerful tool—but only when used mindfully. Set it up properly, verify it’s working, and integrate it into your regular routine. Over time, secure browsing becomes second nature—and your exposure drops significantly.
Very informative! Thanks!
Very useful! Saved the post for later.