What a VPN Hides (And What It Doesn’t) (2024)

When you’re connected to the internet without a VPN, your internet service provider (ISP) can see every website you visit and every search you make. This is because your search requests travel through the ISP’s servers before reaching the desired destination. Therefore, ISPs can log this information and even sell it to third parties, such as advertisers.

When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through the VPN server. This means your ISP can no longer see what you’re doing online—it can only see that you’re connected to a VPN. This effectively hides your browsing history from your ISP.

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is essentially the digital equivalent of a mailing address for your device. When you connect to the internet, your device is assigned an IP address by your ISP. This IP address is unique to your current connection and provides information about your location and online activities. It is used to receive the data you request for.

A VPN works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. When you connect to the internet via a VPN, your connection request is sent to the VPN server which then makes the request on your behalf. As a result, the IP address that’s visible to the internet is that of the VPN server and not your actual one, effectively masking your real IP address.

Benefits of Hiding IP Address

Hiding IP addresses enhances your online privacy by preventing websites, third-party trackers and potential cyberattackers from tracking your online activities based on your IP address. It also safeguards your anonymity online, reducing your digital footprint. This is particularly important in situations where freedom of speech is compromised, as it allows users to express their views without fear of retribution.

By masking your original IP address, a VPN also hides your physical location. Your IP address typically reveals your geographical location to any website or service you connect with. But when using a VPN, the visible IP address would be the one related to the VPN server’s location, not your actual location.

As a VPN can have servers in multiple locations, spanning countries, you may even come across as browsing from a different country.

Importance of Hiding Geolocation

From a privacy standpoint, a VPN keeps your geographical location private, thwarting any attempts by websites, services or ill-intentioned actors to pinpoint your location based on your online activity.

From a content accessibility viewpoint, it allows you to circumvent geographical restrictions imposed by certain websites or services (including some streaming platforms or news websites), giving you access to a wider range of content.

A VPN safeguards your personal information by establishing an encrypted connection between your device and a server. It masks your IP address, making your online activities harder to track, and creates a secure data tunnel that protects your information from potential eavesdroppers. This includes your browsing history, transactions, emails and other personal data, ensuring they can’t be intercepted or deciphered by unauthorized entities.

A VPN can also make it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from a different location. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can spoof your location, making it appear as if you’re browsing from that country. This can help protect your privacy by making it more difficult to track your real-world location based on your internet activity.

When you download files through a torrent, your IP address is visible to all the peers in the same torrent swarm, leaving you exposed to potential security risks and legal implications. A VPN protects you during torrenting by masking your real IP address with the one from the VPN server. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to see your real IP address and location.

Additionally, the VPN encrypts your data, ensuring that your download and upload activity cannot be read or logged by your ISP or any potential eavesdroppers. However, remember that while a VPN can provide anonymity and security when torrenting, it doesn’t make downloading copyrighted content legal.

A VPN can also protect your streaming activity by hiding your real IP address. This prevents websites and third parties from tracking your streaming habits, enhancing your privacy.

ISPs often slow down the internet connection when they detect heavy data usage, such as streaming high-quality video. With a VPN, your ISP only sees encrypted data and can’t distinguish your streaming activity from other types of traffic, preventing ISP throttling.

A VPN can also help bypass geographical restrictions on content, allowing you to access a wider range of shows and movies globally. Remember that while a VPN can bypass geo-restrictions, doing so may violate the terms of service of streaming platforms.

While a VPN is an excellent tool for enhancing privacy and security, it’s important to note that your VPN provider has the potential to see your online activity. Depending on its policies, it may log and monitor your online actions, essentially replacing your ISP as the entity with visibility into your internet usage.

That’s why it’s crucial to choose a VPN provider that has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t store any information about your online activity.

Besides, there are other instances where it doesn’t/can’t hide information.

Your Entire Online Identity

A VPN can hide your search history from your ISP, enhancing your privacy, but it doesn’t provide complete anonymity online. Your online activity can still be tracked by online platforms if you’re signed in to your accounts. For instance, if you’re signed in to Google and use it to search while connected to a VPN, Google can still record your search history. Similarly, social media platforms can track your activities on their sites.

To increase privacy, it’s advisable to use a combination of privacy tools and practices such as using privacy-focused search engines, browsing in private or incognito mode, and regularly clearing cookies.

Cyber Threats

VPNs are not designed to protect your device from malware, viruses or other cyber threats. They secure your data transmission and mask your online identity, but they don’t have the ability to scan or block malicious software.

Therefore, it’s essential to use additional security measures alongside a VPN. These might include regularly updated antivirus software, a firewall and habits of safe internet use, such as not opening email attachments from unknown sources.

Your Identity on Social Media and Other Platforms

VPNs also do not anonymize your activities on social media platforms or any online platform where you willingly share personal information. If you post or share something while logged into your account, the platform and anyone who views your profile can see this information.

This highlights the importance of being mindful about what you share online. Even when using a VPN, you should carefully consider what personal information you disclose on social media or other platforms. Always remember: Once something is online, it’s challenging to take it back completely.

Cookies

While VPNs provide a layer of privacy by encrypting your data and masking your IP address, they do not inherently protect against cookies.

Cookies are small files stored on your computer by websites you visit. They keep track of your activities on the site and remember your preferences, such as login information, items in your shopping cart or the pages you’ve visited. They can also be used by third parties to track your browsing behavior across different websites, which can lead to targeted advertising.

A VPN encrypts your data and changes your apparent IP address, thereby hiding your activities from your ISP and potentially from eavesdroppers. However, cookies are stored and used by your web browser, separate from the network connection that your VPN is protecting. Hence VPNs cannot protect against cookies.

When choosing the right VPN, security, privacy policies and performance should be top priorities. The VPN should offer robust encryption, preferably AES-256, and support secure protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard. The provider should also have a clear, strict no-logs policy, ensuring it doesn’t store your internet activity. For better performance, look for VPNs known for fast connection speeds—this is critical for activities such as streaming or gaming.

The size and diversity of a VPN’s server network matter. More servers usually result in better speed and less congestion, while a wide geographical spread allows for easier bypassing of geo-restrictions. Also, check if the VPN is compatible with all your devices and if it allows enough simultaneous connections to suit your needs.

User-friendliness and customer support should not be overlooked too. A VPN with a straightforward, intuitive interface makes setup and use simpler, especially for beginners. Reliable customer service—preferably available 24/7 through various channels—can be a lifesaver if you run into any issues.

Finally, consider the cost. While free VPNs may be tempting, they often come with limitations and may compromise on security. Evaluate various paid plans according to your budget and the features they offer. Remember, the best VPN for you will effectively balance cost, security, performance and ease of use.

Here are some of the top VPN service providers according to Forbes Advisor:

• ExpressVPN: Known for its strong performance, ExpressVPN provides high-speed connections and top-notch security features, including AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy and an automatic kill switch. It’s also praised for its ability to bypass geo-restrictions, making it a popular choice for streaming.
• NordVPN: NordVPN offers robust security features and a large server network. It has a no-logs policy and uses AES-256 encryption. NordVPN is also recognized for its speed, making it suitable for data-heavy tasks such as streaming or gaming.
• CyberGhost: CyberGhost stands out with its user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for VPN beginners. It provides solid security features, a wide range of servers and decent speeds. It also offers dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting.
• Surfshark: Despite being relatively new, Surfshark has quickly gained a reputation for its strong privacy protections, unlimited device connections and affordable pricing. It has a no-logs policy, employs strong encryption and can reliably bypass geo-blocks.
• Bitdefender Premium VPN: As a prominent player in the VPN arena, Bitdefender delivers top-tier protection regardless of your internet use or location. Whether you’re working, gaming, browsing, shopping or streaming, and whether you’re at home, in a local coffee shop or abroad, Bitdefender equips you with the necessary tools to maintain security and utilize your devices confidently.

VPNs can hide your IP address, location and online activities from ISPs and potential eavesdroppers, providing a significant level of privacy and security. However, they can’t protect against cookies, website-level tracking, malware or the information you voluntarily share online.

Despite their limitations, VPNs remain an essential tool for enhancing online privacy. But remember, not all VPNs are created equal. Responsible use involves being mindful of what you share online and choosing a trustworthy VPN provider that aligns with your specific needs. Always conduct thorough research before making a decision.