3 minute read
Do you need a VPN?
A VPN hides your internet traffic from the Wi-Fi network you are on and hides your location from websites. It is useful on public Wi-Fi in hotels, airports and cafes, and for watching your home country's content while traveling. It does not stop viruses, scams or tracking by sites you log into, so most people do not need one at home.
When a VPN helps
- Public Wi-Fi you do not trust
- Hiding your location from a website
- Countries that block sites you need
When it does not help
- Scams, phishing and malware
- Google, Facebook or Amazon tracking you while logged in
- Making your home internet “safer” in general
Free VPNs
Most free VPN apps earn money by collecting and selling what you do. Proton VPN is the exception we recommend: its free plan has no ads and no data cap.