VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. Websites and services you visit see the VPN server's IP address rather than yours, and your internet service provider cannot read the content of your traffic. VPNs are legitimately used for privacy on public Wi-Fi, accessing content restricted by geography, and working securely over untrusted networks.

However, VPNs are frequently oversold to consumers as comprehensive security tools. They do not prevent phishing, malware, or social engineering; they do not make you anonymous (the VPN provider sees your traffic); and a dishonest VPN provider is more dangerous than no VPN at all. Investment scams routinely advertise via VPN-themed content, and some malicious apps marketed as VPNs are themselves data-harvesting tools.

For typical consumers, a VPN adds real value primarily on untrusted networks such as hotel or airport Wi-Fi. For day-to-day browsing on home broadband, the privacy benefit is marginal for most use cases. Choosing a VPN with a published, independently audited no-logs policy and a clear business model reduces the risk of trusting the wrong provider.