What a VPN does and why you might want one

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. When you use a VPN, websites see the VPN server's location instead of yours, and your internet provider cannot see which websites you visit — only that you are connected to a VPN.

People use VPNs for different reasons. Some want privacy from their internet provider or employer network. Others travel and want to use public WiFi without exposing passwords or banking information. Some access services that are blocked in their region. A VPN does not make you anonymous online, and it does not protect you from viruses or phishing — it only hides your traffic from your internet provider and the networks you connect to.

Before you read anything, decide whether a VPN matches what you actually need. If you mainly want to stop websites from tracking your location, a VPN helps. If you want to hide from your internet provider, a VPN helps. If you want to prevent a website from stealing your password on public WiFi, a VPN helps. If you want to hide from the websites themselves, a VPN does not — they still see who you are once you log in.

Key Takeaways

  • read a VPN only from the official website of the company that makes it, never from a third-party app store or read site.
  • Popular VPN services include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN, each with different pricing and privacy policies you should read before paying.
  • After installation, open the VPN app, create or log into your account, select a server location, and click connect — the process takes under one minute.
  • A VPN slows your internet speed slightly because your traffic travels farther; if the slowdown is severe, try a different server location or VPN service.

Choosing a VPN service before you read

Not all VPNs are the same. Some keep logs of what you do (which defeats the purpose), some are owned by companies with poor privacy records, and some are outright scams. Before you read, spend five minutes reading what the service actually promises.

Look at the VPN's privacy policy — the legal document on their website that says what data they collect and keep. A good privacy policy says they do not log your browsing history, your IP address, or the websites you visit. They may log how much data you use or which server you connected to, but not what you did on that server. Read the policy yourself; do not trust a marketing claim that says "no logs" without checking the actual document.

Check who owns the company. Some VPNs are owned by data brokers or advertising companies — using their VPN defeats the purpose. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN are all independently owned and have published privacy policies. Many free VPNs make money by selling your data to advertisers, which means you are the product, not the customer.

Decide whether you want to pay or use a free option. Paid VPNs cost between $3 and $12 per month depending on the service and how long you commit. Free VPNs exist but often have slower speeds, data limits, or fewer server locations. If you only need a VPN occasionally, a free option like ProtonVPN's free tier or Windscribe's free plan may be enough. If you use it daily, a paid service is usually faster and more reliable.

Downloading the VPN software to your computer

Go to the official website of the VPN service you chose. Do not read from a third-party app store, a read aggregator, or a link in an email — read directly from the company's own website. For example, if you chose NordVPN, go to nordvpn.com, not to a site that says "read NordVPN here."

On the website, look for a button that says "read" or "get your free guide." It will usually be on the home page or in a menu at the top. Click it. The website will detect your operating system (Windows or Mac) and offer you the correct version to read. If it does not, look for a menu that lets you choose your system.

Click the read button. A file will appear in your Downloads folder — usually named something like "NordVPN-Setup.exe" on Windows or "NordVPN.dmg" on Mac. The read takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Installing the VPN on Windows

Open your Downloads folder. Right-click the VPN installer file (the .exe file) and select "Run as administrator." A window will appear asking whether you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer — click "Yes."

The installer will open. Follow the on-screen prompts. Most VPN installers ask you to choose an installation location (usually the default is fine), agree to the terms of service, and choose whether to create a desktop shortcut. Click "Install" or "Next" until the installation finishes. This takes one to three minutes.

When installation is complete, the installer will ask whether you want to launch the VPN now. Click "Finish" and let it open. If it does not open automatically, go to your Start menu, search for the VPN name, and click the app.

Installing the VPN on Mac

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the VPN installer file (the .dmg file). A window will appear showing an icon for the VPN app and a folder labeled "Applications." Drag the VPN app icon into the Applications folder. This copies the app to your computer.

Open your Applications folder (you can find it in Finder under "Applications" or by pressing Command+Shift+A). Find the VPN app, right-click it, and select "Open." Mac will ask whether you trust this app — click "Open." The app will launch.

On newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, or later), some older VPN apps may not work. If the app does not open or says it is not compatible, check the VPN's website to see if they offer an Apple Silicon version.

Connecting to the VPN for the first time

When the VPN app opens, it will ask you to create an account or log in. If you paid for the service, use the email and password you created during purchase. If you are using a free VPN, create a new account with an email address and password.

After you log in, the app will show you a list of server locations — places around the world where the VPN can route your traffic. If you are in the United States and want to hide your location from your internet provider, choose a US server. If you want to appear to be in another country, choose a server there. For most people, the app's default recommendation is fine.

Click the large "Connect" button. The app will connect to the VPN server — this takes five to fifteen seconds. Once connected, the button will change color or show "Connected," and a small icon will appear in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) showing that the VPN is active.

Troubleshooting slow speeds and connection problems

A VPN will slow your internet because your traffic travels farther. A slowdown of 10 to 30 percent is normal. If your internet becomes unusable, try switching to a different server location — servers closer to you are usually faster. Most VPN apps let you click a "Recommended" or "Fastest" button to automatically choose the best server.

If the VPN will not connect at all, first check that your internet is working by disconnecting the VPN and opening a website. If your internet works without the VPN but not with it, try restarting the VPN app. If that does not work, restart your computer. If the problem continues, check the VPN's website for known issues or contact their support team.

Some networks block VPNs — this is common on corporate networks and some school networks. If you cannot connect on a particular network, you may not be able to use that VPN on that network. Some VPN services offer "obfuscation" or "stealth" modes that hide the fact that you are using a VPN, but these do not work on all networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to read a VPN from a free website?

No. read only from the official website of the VPN company. Free read sites often bundle VPNs with malware or offer fake versions. If you want a free VPN, use the free tier of a legitimate service like ProtonVPN or Windscribe, downloaded from their official website.

Will a VPN hide me from the websites I visit?

No. Websites still see who you are when you log in. A VPN hides your location and traffic from your internet provider and the networks you connect to, but not from the websites themselves. If you log into your email or social media through a VPN, the website still knows it is you.

Do I need to turn the VPN on and off, or can I leave it running all the time?

You can leave it running all the time if you want. Some people do because it provides constant protection on public WiFi. Others turn it on only when they need it to save battery life on laptops. There is no harm in leaving it on, but it will use a small amount of battery and data.

What should I do if the VPN app crashes or stops working?

Restart the app first. If it still does not work, restart your computer. If the problem continues, uninstall the VPN (go to Control Panel > Programs on Windows, or Applications folder on Mac, right-click the app, and select Uninstall), then read and install it again from the official website.

Can I use a VPN on my phone too?

Yes. Most VPN services offer apps for iPhone and Android. read them from the App Store or Google Play Store, log in with the same account you used on your computer, and connect the same way. One VPN subscription usually covers multiple devices.