Last week, I promised to talk more about VPNs. If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen ads for VPNs promising privacy, security, and even access to “hidden” parts of the internet. But what exactly is a VPN, and when do you actually need one (if at all)?
The Basics
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. In simple terms, it’s a tool that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your internet traffic is routed through a VPN server first. This helps protect your data and makes it more difficult for others to see what you’re doing online or where you’re located.
If you’ve ever watched a detective show where someone says, “I can’t track them – they’re using a VPN,” this is the concept they’re referring to (even if it’s a bit dramatized for TV).
To understand how this works, it helps to know a little about IP addresses. An IP address is a unique string of numbers assigned to your internet connection—something like 192.168.1.1. It functions a bit like a mailing address, helping websites know where to send information. Your IP address can reveal your general geographic area, like your city or regio, but not your exact home address.
A VPN works by masking (or hiding) your real IP address and replacing it with one from the VPN provider. This is similar to forwarding your mail through a different address: the recipient sees the forwarding address, not your original one. At the same time, the VPN encrypts your data, which helps protect it—especially when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks.
It’s important to note that while a VPN improves privacy and security, it does not make you completely anonymous, nor does it replace other protections like antivirus software or firewalls. Instead, it’s best thought of as one additional layer of protection in your overall online toolkit.
VPN programs run locally on your computer. Some security programs (like Norton or McAfee) offer them, or you can purchase a separate program. As with most other programs, you’ll usually get limited features if you use a free product, while those you pay for may give you additional functionality.
Some Examples
As an example, I use a program called NordVPN, which costs approximately $120 per year. (note, I am not an affiliate, and make no income from this recommendation). When I turn on the program, I get a screen like this:
On the top left, you can see that I’ve chosen a United States based VPN. In the recent past, I’ve used both US and UK based VPNs. On the bottom left there are a number of VPN servers I can choose from.
The location of the VPN can matter. Remember that the VPN provides you with a new ip address, which is linked to a location. To anyone else on the internet, it will look as if you are at the provided location. This can have some interesting outcomes.
For example, I am physically based in the United States. If I go to the Amazon UK website, without using a VPN, I get the following message:
This is because Amazon UK can read my ip address and determine that I am in the United States. It will therefore only show me items that will ship to a US address. However, watch what happens if I log on to my VPN program and select a UK VPN:
Amazon now thinks I’m in the UK! That’s because the VPN program is providing a UK ip address.
Pros & Cons
So if VPNs are great at hiding your location, why not use them all the time? The short answer is that they can be slow. If you’re using a VPN on your computer, every time you use an internet function, it has to run through the VPN. That means browsers, email programs, texting, etc., all have to take that extra step. Most of the time it’s only a fraction of a second longer, and is barely noticeable. But there are times that, especially when you’re working with large files, you can notice the difference in speed.
Also, as I mentioned above, there is a cost involved. I consider the $120 per year for Nord VPN a good investment because I travel so much. And to be clear, that’s when I use VPN the most. I usually leave it off when I’m at home, unless I’m on a site that I’m unsure of, or if I’m working with a lot of private data. It’s a decision that you’ll need to make for yourself and your research.
Have you used a VPN program before? What did you think about it?