What is a VPN & Why Should I Use One?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that encrypts your internet connection and routes your traffic through a VPN server, which helps improve your privacy online. You might use a VPN to protect your data on public Wi-Fi, reduce snooping on your connection, or mask your IP address from many websites. It’s not a complete security solution, but it’s a practical layer of protection that’s easy to turn on when you want a little more privacy. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how a VPN works, when one is most useful, and where a VPN falls short. While a VPN isn’t a complete security solution, it’s an important tool in your digital safety toolkit. 

Key Takeaways: Virtual Private Networks 

• A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server, which protects the data in transit.
• A VPN can mask your IP address from the websites you visit, so sites see the VPN server’s IP instead of yours.
• VPNs are popular, but not universal: one 2025 survey found 32% of Americans report using a VPN.
• A VPN doesn’t automatically stop malware, phishing, or account takeovers, and it doesn’t make you anonymous.
• Some sites and apps can block VPN traffic, and a VPN can sometimes reduce your internet speed.

What is a VPN?

A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that routes your internet traffic through a VPN provider’s server using an encrypted connection. Think of it as a private, protected “tunnel” for your data on its way from your device to the VPN server. 

Here’s what a VPN does for you: 

• Your connection is encrypted between your device and the VPN server. This helps protect data from snooping on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi. 
• Your IP address is masked from many websites. Websites typically see the VPN server’s IP address instead of your personal one. 

A VPN is usually an app on your phone or computer, but you can also install a VPN on some routers to protect all of the devices on your home network. 

Need reliable and secure internet? Search your area for the best service and provider.

Find Better Internet Near You

How a VPN Works 

When you turn on a VPN, your device connects to a VPN server first, and your internet traffic flows through that server before reaching the wider internet. 

Step-by-Step: What Happens When You Turn On a VPN 

1. Your device connects to a VPN server. When you click Connect in the VPN app, it will connect to one of the provider’s servers. Some VPN apps let you choose which server location you want. 

2. Tunnel encryption is established. Once connected, the VPN chooses an encryption method and creates a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server. All your internet traffic will now flow through this tunnel. 

3. Traffic exits from the VPN server to the internet. Once your data reaches the VPN server, it’s decrypted and sent to its destination on the internet. Any incoming data will follow the same path back to your device. 

What Changes When You Use a VPN (IP Address + Encryption) 

• Encryption in transit: The VPN tunnel can prevent others on the same network (such as a public Wi-Fi network) from intercepting your connection and transmissions.  

• Different apparent location and IP address: Many services see the VPN server’s IP. That can reduce location-based tracking and can affect what content or pricing you see. 

What Does a VPN Protect and Not Protect? 

A VPN protects the data in transit between your device and the VPN server, plus it can obscure your IP address from many sites. It is not designed to secure everything about your digital life, protect your device from malware, prevent you from being hacked, or make you invisible online.  

What A VPN Helps With vs. What It Doesn’t 

This is why you should layer your online security. Use a VPN as well as strong passwords, a password manager, multi-factor authentication (MFA, 2FA), and up-to-date devices for better, layered protection and online privacy. 

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Myths vs. Facts 

Myth #1: A VPN makes me completely anonymous online.

Fact: VPNs improve privacy but don’t provide anonymity. Websites can still track you through cookies, accounts, and fingerprinting. 

Myth #2: With a VPN, my internet provider can’t see anything I do.

Fact: Your ISP can see that you’re using a VPN and how much data you’re transferring. They just can’t easily see which specific sites you’re visiting. 

Myth #3: A VPN protects me from all online threats.

Fact: VPNs don’t protect against phishing, malware, or social engineering. You still need antivirus software, strong passwords, and good judgment. 

Myth #4: I don’t need HTTPS if I’m using a VPN.

Fact: You still want HTTPS (an encrypted website connection). A VPN encrypts traffic between you and the VPN server, but HTTPS encrypts traffic all the way to the website. Both layers of encryption are important. 

Why You Should Use a VPN

You should always use a VPN while on a public Wi-Fi and when you travel and need to access airport or hotel networks. Although some people do, you do not need to use a VPN all the time. Here’s a closer look at when you should use a VPN and why:  

Public Wi-Fi and Travel 

This is the clearest win. Public networks at airports, hotels, cafes, and event venues often lack decent security. A VPN protects your traffic from snooping and having your data intercepted while on those networks. Just be sure to turn on your VPN before you sign in to accounts or enter payment details on public Wi-Fi. 

Privacy From Network Snooping 

A VPN can reduce what intermediaries can observe about your traffic between your device and the VPN server because that traffic is encrypted. But it’s a transfer of trust. You are trusting the VPN provider to handle your data responsibly. That is why you should choose a VPN provider carefully. 

Streaming and Location-Based Content 

A VPN can make it look like you are browsing from a different country or region because your traffic comes from the VPN server’s location. But keep your expectations in check; streaming services and websites may detect or restrict VPN use, and access can vary by platform and policy. 

Gaming, Throttling, and Performance 

Some people use VPNs to try to improve stability or avoid traffic shaping (provider network management that throttles, prioritizes, slows, or limits certain types of traffic). A VPN can make it harder to classify specific traffic types (streaming, video conferencing, downloads, online gaming, etc.), but it cannot change your internet plan’s speed limits, fix congestion, or bypass data caps.  

Smart Home and IoT Households 

Many IoT devices don’t have the best security, and most cannot run VPN apps like your tablet or laptop can. But you can use a router-based VPN to help reduce some exposure to your smart devices. 

Censorship and Restrictions 

In some places, VPNs are used to access blocked or censored information and to communicate more privately. Laws vary widely, so know the local rules and laws before relying on a VPN in a restricted country.  

Price Shopping and Dynamic Pricing 

Some online sellers have prices based on a region. A VPN can change your apparent location, which may influence what you see. It’s not a guarantee, but it can be worth testing for big purchases like travel. Sometimes clearing your browser cache or using incognito mode can help with dynamic pricing. 

Will a VPN Slow Down My Internet? 

Yes, using a VPN will slow down your internet speed at least a little bit. Whether you notice slower speed depends on several factors. 

Three Reasons Why VPNs Can Slow Down Your Internet Speed 

Encryption overhead. Encrypting and decrypting all your traffic takes processing power and adds a small amount of data to each packet. Which adds up to more time to move and process the data. Most modern devices can handle this well, so overall speed reductions depend on the device you’re using. 

Distance to the VPN server. If you’re in Colorado connecting to a VPN server in Japan, your data has to travel much farther than it would going directly to your destination. Not only does it slow down your perceived speed, but it adds a lot of latency (lag, or delay), too. 

Server load. If the VPN server you’re connected to is handling traffic for thousands of users, it becomes a bottleneck. Just like network congestion slows down your internet at night, so do overloaded servers. 

Tips to Manage Slowdown 

You can minimize the impact of using a VPN by: 

• Choosing a nearby server. Unless you want your connection to appear to be from another country, connect to the closest server. Less distance means less latency.
• Trying a faster protocol. Modern VPN protocols like WireGuard are generally faster than older ones like OpenVPN. Give WireGuard a try if it’s available.
• Avoiding peak times or switching servers. If your connection seems slow, try a different server. Some servers are busier than others.
• Testing your speed. Run an internet speed test with your VPN off, then again with it on. This will give you an idea of how much the VPN is slowing down your connection.

It varies how much a VPN affects internet speed. With a good VPN provider with newer protocols and a nearby server, you might lose 10 to 20% of your speed. With a poor provider or distant server, it could be much worse. Free VPNs are often much slower, so it may be worth the extra cost for a premium VPN provider. 

Main Types of VPNs 

VPNs are used for different reasons and at different scales. What works for a single user is not sustainable for a business organization. The types of VPNs fit into these three categories: 

Consumer VPN (Privacy and General Use) 

This is what most people think of when they hear “VPN.” Consumer VPN services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are designed for single users who want privacy, security on public Wi-Fi, or access to geo-restricted content. 

These services are easy to use and have apps for all major platforms. You pay a subscription fee and get access to servers around the world. 

Remote Access VPN (Corporate Access) 

Businesses use remote access VPNs so that employees have an encrypted connection to the company’s network from home or when traveling. When you connect to your employer’s VPN, you can access internal resources like file servers and databases as if you were in the office. 

These VPNs prioritize security and access control over privacy. More often than not, your employer can track your activity while on their VPN. 

Site-to-Site VPN (Connecting Networks) 

Site-to-site VPNs connect entire networks together. A company with offices in different cities might use site-to-site VPNs so that all locations can communicate seamlessly and securely. 

Most individuals don’t have a use for site-to-site VPNs. They’re primarily an enterprise networking tool. 

What Kind of VPN Do I Need? 

Most users need a consumer VPN for personal and home use. If your work-from-home internet needs require a VPN, your employer will give you instructions on how to access their corporate VPN. If you have a consumer and a business VPN, you cannot use them at the same time. 

Differences Between a VPN vs Proxy vs Tor 

People often confuse VPNs with proxies and Tor because they can each change how you appear online and help with privacy in different ways. But they are not interchangeable. 

VPN vs. Proxy vs. Tor Comparison 

Proxy Servers 

A proxy server sits between you and the internet, similar to a VPN, but most proxies don’t encrypt traffic. They route it through another server. Proxies often work at the application level (just your browser, for example) rather than the device level. 

Proxies are fine for bypassing simple geographic restrictions or IP-based blocks, but they don’t provide meaningful security or privacy protection. 

Tor Network 

Tor routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated servers (called nodes), with layers of encryption at each hop. This makes it very difficult to trace activity back to you. 

You have more anonymity than with a VPN, but Tor is significantly slower. It’s best for situations where anonymity is critical, like investigative journalism or whistleblowing. And, Tor is harder to use since many websites block it and some governments actively work to prevent Tor usage. 

For most everyday privacy needs, a VPN offers the best balance of protection, usability, and speed. 

Choosing a VPN 

There are many VPN services and providers to choose from and knowing what to look for in a solution can be overwhelming. Below is an overview of what we consider important in a VPN, but we also have a dedicated resource on how to choose a VPN provider. 

Quick Checklist for Choosing a VPN 

When comparing VPNs, look for: 

• Clear privacy policy and reputation: be wary of vague claims
• Independent audits or transparency: extra credibility is a plus
• Kill switch: helps prevent traffic leaks if the VPN disconnects
• DNS leak protection: helps avoid accidental exposure
• Modern protocol options: many providers emphasize speed and reliability today
• Enough servers in regions you need to access
• Device support: phone, laptop, tablet, streaming device, router options (if relevant)

Free vs Paid VPNs 

It can be tempting to go with a free VPNs, but “being free” has tradeoffs like data caps, fewer servers, slower performance, monetization through ads, and privacy and security concerns and data practices. There are a few reputable free VPN options with transparent business models (like Proton VPN’s free tier), but they still have some limitations. 

Be sure to read the fine print with any free VPN service. 

Paying for a reputable VPN provider is worth the investment. Prices typically range from $3 to $12 per month, depending on the service and subscription length. If privacy is your goal, it’s worth paying for a reliable VPN. 

Using a VPN 

Most VPNs are easy to use once they’re installed. For more details, see our resource about how to use a VPN.  

Quick Setup in 3 Steps 

1. Install the VPN app on your phone or computer and sign in.

2. Turn on safety features like a kill switch (if available).

3. Pick a server: choose one nearby for speed or select a region when you have a specific need.

A Simple Public Wi-Fi VPN Routine 

• Turn on the VPN before connecting to a public hotspot
• Avoid sensitive logins if the network looks suspicious
• Prefer HTTPS sites and use MFA on important accounts

What Are the Limitations of a VPN?

A VPN encrypts traffic in transit and can mask your IP address, but it doesn’t make you anonymous or protect you from scams, malware, viruses, or weak passwords. It can also slow your connection, be blocked by some sites, and shift your trust to the VPN provider’s privacy practices. It’s helpful, but it’s not a complete privacy and security system. 

• A VPN is not antivirus software. Some VPNs add extra features, but they aren’t a replacement for dedicated malware protection.
• A VPN is not a password manager by default. Some providers include one, such as NordPass in certain NordVPN plans, but most VPNs do not include password management.
• A VPN can be blocked. Some websites and streaming services restrict known VPN IP addresses.
• You still need smart habits. Phishing, scams, and credential theft are still major risks, even when using a VPN.

A VPN protects the path your data travels, but it cannot protect you from every threat you click on. 

Make a VPN Part of Your Online Privacy and Security 

While a VPN is not a standalone solution to all cybersecurity threats, it’s an effective weapon for online security. It goes a long way in protecting your data, enhancing your privacy, and providing you with a safe, unrestricted browsing experience. Considering the minimal cost and effort involved in setting up a VPN, the benefits are undoubtedly worth your consideration for overall privacy, cybersecurity, and as an essential part of your toolkit of online privacy tools.