VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It's become heavily marketed, but there's significant confusion about what VPNs actually do and whether you need one.
What a VPN actually does
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location of your choosing. This means: your internet provider can't see which sites you visit, websites see the VPN server's IP address rather than yours, and you can appear to be in a different country.
When a VPN is genuinely useful
- Using public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, hotels, airports) — a VPN prevents others on the same network from intercepting your traffic
- Accessing content restricted to other countries (e.g. streaming services with different libraries)
- Privacy from your internet provider's data collection
- Journalists and activists in countries with oppressive internet monitoring
When a VPN is NOT the solution
- VPNs don't protect you from viruses, malware, or phishing — that's what antivirus is for
- VPNs don't make you anonymous online — websites can still track you via cookies and browser fingerprinting
- VPNs don't protect your passwords or accounts — that's what 2FA and strong passwords are for
Should you pay for one?
If you regularly use public Wi-Fi or want to access international streaming content, a reputable paid VPN (Mullvad, ProtonVPN, NordVPN) offers genuine value. Avoid free VPNs — they typically monetise through data collection, defeating the privacy purpose.
Security advice?
Darren offers practical security advice alongside repairs across Okehampton and Devon.
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