A VPN (virtual private network) masks your internet activity from your internet service provider and the websites you visit—but it doesn't make you invisible online. People often turn to VPNs thinking they solve every privacy problem, when really they're one tool that handles a specific job: hiding your IP address and encrypting the data between your device and the VPN company's server. Understanding what that actually protects and what it leaves exposed helps you decide whether a VPN fits your situation.
These articles explore how VPNs work, what happens to your data when you use one, how to spot misleading VPN marketing, and when a VPN makes sense versus when other steps matter more. You'll learn what a VPN can't protect you from—like malware, phishing, or websites tracking you directly—and how to think through the trade-offs of routing your traffic through a third party.