Guide
What is a VPN?
A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your connection. Here's how it works, when it helps, and when it doesn't.
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that sends all your internet traffic through an encrypted connection to a server run by the VPN provider. From there, your traffic continues to the websites you visit. To those websites, it looks like you are the VPN server: they see its IP address and location instead of yours.
VPNs were originally built so employees could safely reach their company's internal network from home. Today most people use consumer VPN apps for privacy, security on public Wi-Fi, and to appear to be in another country.
How a VPN works
- You open the VPN app and connect to a server, for example one in Amsterdam.
- The app creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and that server.
- Everything your device sends goes through the tunnel. Your internet provider and anyone on your Wi-Fi only see encrypted data going to the VPN server.
- The VPN server decrypts your traffic and forwards it to the website, using its own IP address.
- The website replies to the VPN server, which encrypts the answer and sends it back through the tunnel to you.
You can see the effect for yourself: check your IP address, connect to a VPN, and reload the page. The IP address, location and provider should all change.
What a VPN protects
- Your IP address. Websites and online services see the VPN's address, not yours.
- Your browsing on local networks. On café, hotel or airport Wi-Fi, others on the network can't see what you do.
- Your browsing from your internet provider. Your provider sees that you use a VPN, but not which websites you visit.
What a VPN doesn't protect
- Tracking by websites. Cookies, logged-in accounts and browser fingerprinting still identify you.
- Your data from the VPN provider. The provider can see where your traffic goes, so you are moving your trust from your internet provider to the VPN company.
- Malware and phishing. A VPN doesn't stop you from downloading something harmful or typing your password into a fake site.
- Full anonymity. For that, tools like the Tor Browser, together with careful habits, are a better fit.
How to choose a VPN
There are hundreds of VPN services, and they are not equally trustworthy. Look for:
- An audited no-logs policy. Many providers claim not to keep logs; the better ones have had it verified by an independent auditor.
- Modern protocols. WireGuard, OpenVPN or IKEv2. Avoid PPTP, which is outdated and insecure.
- A kill switch. It blocks your internet if the VPN connection drops, so your real IP address isn't exposed by accident.
- DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Without it, some requests can bypass the tunnel.
- Servers where you need them, and apps for all your devices.
- A clear business model. If a VPN is free, find out how it pays for its servers.
Common VPN protocols
| Protocol | What to know |
|---|---|
| WireGuard | Modern, fast and lean. The default choice in most good VPN apps today. |
| OpenVPN | Proven and widely supported. Slightly slower than WireGuard, but very reliable. |
| IKEv2/IPsec | Fast and stable when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Popular on phones. |
| PPTP | Outdated and insecure. Avoid it. |
VPN or something else?
A VPN is the most practical way for most people to hide their IP address, but it is not the only one. Our guide on how to hide your IP address compares VPNs with Tor, proxies and browser privacy relays.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a VPN at home?
Not necessarily. Your home network is already private, and most websites use HTTPS encryption. A VPN at home mainly hides your browsing from your internet provider and your IP address from websites. It is most useful on public Wi-Fi and when you travel.
Does a VPN slow down my internet?
A little. Your traffic takes a detour through the VPN server and is encrypted on the way. With a good provider and a nearby server, most people won't notice the difference. Distant servers are slower.
Are free VPNs safe?
Some are, many are not. Running VPN servers is expensive, so a free service has to make money somehow, and some do it by collecting and selling user data or showing ads. If you use a free VPN, choose the free plan of a reputable paid provider.
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, including the EU, the UK and the US, yes. A few countries restrict or ban VPNs. Using a VPN may also break the terms of some streaming services, even where it is legal.
Can I be tracked when using a VPN?
Yes. A VPN hides your IP address, but websites can still recognise you through cookies, logins and browser fingerprinting, and the VPN provider itself can see where your traffic goes.