Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a clever piece of software that creates a secure (encrypted) internet connection – also known as a “VPN tunnel” – between your device and the website or app you are trying to access.

When you use a VPN, your standard internet connection is redirected via a secure VPN server before connecting to the wider Internet.

When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address changes and your connection is encrypted (typically using the AES-256 cipher). As a result, your internet privacy and security is considerably stronger.

You can find out more in our dedicated explainer guide.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

There are many benefits to using a VPN service. The two main benefits are:

1. Increased Privacy

A VPN is a great tool for your online privacy. When you connect to a VPN server, third-parties are unable to see what websites you visit, keeping your web activity private.

2. Enhanced Security

A VPN adds a layer of strong encryption to your Internet connection, making it safer and more secure. If you need to send or receive sensitive information over the Internet, particularly if you’re using public WiFi, a VPN is essential.

Paid vs Free VPNs

There are many VPN providers available of which many are free.

The problem is that most free VPN services provide tiny data allowances, limited server locations, slow speeds, and very often don’t work with many websites and apps.

There are also serious risks in using a free VPN. We recently carried out an investigation of the top of the 150 most popular free Android VPN apps and found that over 85% had security flaws.

Some free VPN providers may also try to profit from your data. There have been reports of selling usage history to advertisers, secretly redirecting users via sponsored links to earn commissions, and even adding devices to a massive botnet.

We always recommend to use a top (paid) VPN service because of the below advantages:

✔ Much faster and consistent server speeds

✔ Access to a larger pool of servers and locations

✔ Stronger encryption, with better VPN protocols to choose from

✔ Advanced privacy and security features

✔ Compatibility with more devices

✔ Professional customer and technical support (often 24/7)