A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a digital "tunnel" that encrypts and directs all or some of your internet traffic to another location, either geographical, organizational, or both. VPN's are very commonly used, and have become increasingly popular in the consumer space over the past few years.
VPN's primarily came into light in the business world by allowing employees to securely and remotely access on-premises resources (files, applications, etc.) from anywhere they had an internet connection. Countless organizations still use this technology today to empower remote workforces with secure access.
In recent history, consumer-grade VPN providers have grown quickly, especially as many VPN providers sponsor online influencers in exchange for promoting their service.
VPN's are a great tool for anyone who's concerned about the privacy and security of their internet traffic, but there are some things to know about them:
Will a VPN hide my identity?
No. Using a VPN can help conceal your identity and reduce tracking efforts (for advertising or otherwise), but they do not make you 100% anonymous on the web. There are many other things that can be used to identify you, including cookies, your device's unique characteristics, browsing history, etc.. Keep in mind that your VPN provider can still see your traffic, so ensure they are trustworthy and read their terms and conditions carefully.
Do VPN's stop viruses?
No. While VPN's can help prevent other people on your network (e.g. public wi-fi) from seeing your internet traffic, they don't stop viruses from affecting your computer. Some VPN's may provide additional safeguards to prevent you from visiting know malicious sites, but if the malicious software is sneaky enough, a VPN will not stop it.
Does my ISP know I'm using a VPN?
Yes. While your internet traffic may be hidden while connected to the VPN, your internet service provider will still be able to see you initiate this connect. That said, most ISP's don't care if you use a VPN. However, this does not excuse you from their terms of service though, as your internet traffic is still being handled by their infrastructure.
Does my employer know I'm using a VPN?
Probably. Some remote workers will setup a VPN connection to their home network while traveling to make it appear as though they are working from home. Smaller companies who aren't as vigilant may not pick up on this, but companies with a more watchful eye can tell that something is up as your latency increases. This is essentially impossible to hide, as latency is largely a result of your geographic proximity to a given location. If your company is not OK with you working while traveling, don't use a VPN to try and cover it up.
Are free VPN's safe?
Maybe. While free VPN services may be "safe" with regard to malware and viruses, you should consider how they are able to offer this service for free. In many cases, this could mean selling your data such as browsing habits, interests, etc.. Avoiding these activities is the reason many people start using VPN's in the first place. Use caution with these services, and read their terms and conditions/privacy policy carefully.
