If you watch YouTube or listen to podcasts, you've heard the ads: "Hackers are waiting on public WiFi to steal your bank details!" or "Get military-grade encryption to stop the government from watching you!"
Most of this is nonsense.
VPN companies spend millions of dollars to scare you into buying subscriptions you might not need. Let's break down the reality.
The Myths vs. Reality
Myth 1: "A VPN makes you anonymous."
Reality: No, it just shifts trust. Instead of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) seeing your traffic, the VPN provider sees it. If you log into Facebook or Google while using a VPN, they still know exactly who you are.
Myth 2: "You need a VPN for banking on public WiFi."
Reality: This was true in 2010. Today, almost every major website uses HTTPS encryption (the little lock icon in your browser). This means your connection to your bank is already encrypted. A hacker on the coffee shop WiFi can see that you are talking to Chase.com, but they cannot see your password or balance, even without a VPN.
Myth 3: "Military-Grade Encryption."
Reality: This is a marketing buzzword. HTTPS uses the same standard encryption. It's nothing special.
So, Why Use a VPN?
VPNs are still useful tools, but for specific reasons:
- Hiding Browsing History from your ISP: In the US, Congress repealed privacy rules in 2017, allowing ISPs (like Comcast or AT&T) to sell your browsing data to advertisers. A VPN prevents your ISP from seeing which websites you visit.
- Getting Around Censorship: If your school, work, or government blocks certain websites, a VPN tunnels through those blocks.
- Changing Your Location (Geo-Spoofing): Useful for accessing streaming content locked to other countries or getting around "blackouts" for sports games.
- IP Address Privacy: Websites see the VPN's IP address instead of your home IP address. This adds a layer of privacy against tracking networks.
Which VPN Should You Trust?
Because a VPN provider can see everything you do, trust is everything. Never use a "Free" VPN (like the ones found in app stores)—if you aren't paying, they are selling your data.
We recommend providers that have:
- Transparent ownership.
- No affiliate programs (or very strict ones).
- Audited "No-Logs" policies (proven in court or by third parties).
Top Recommendation: Mullvad VPN
- Best for: Pure privacy and anonymity.
- Why: * **Why:** You don't even create an account with an email. You [generate a random account number](https://mullvad.net/en/account/create). You can pay with cash sent in an envelope, crypto, or credit card. They are incredibly transparent and focused purely on privacy.
- Cost: €5/month (flat rate, no "sales" or long-term lock-ins).
Top Recommendation: Proton VPN
- Best for: Ease of use and a trustworthy free tier.
- Why: Created by the scientists behind Proton Mail (CERN). They offer a legitimate free plan with no data limits (but fewer servers/slower speeds) because it is subsidized by paid users.
- Cost: Free tier available; Paid tiers for faster speeds and streaming support.
Others to Consider
- IVPN: similar ethics to Mullvad, very transparent.
VPNs to Avoid
We generally recommend avoiding providers owned by massive conglomerates like Kape Technologies (which bought ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, PIA, and ZenMate) or Nord Security (which owns NordVPN and Surfshark). While their technology might work, their aggressive marketing, affiliate-heavy business models, and consolidation of the market are concerning for privacy advocates.
