Online privacy and safety basics
An educational, non-alarmist look at how a VPN fits into a broader online privacy and safety approach.
Public Wi-Fi
A VPN can help protect traffic on shared or untrusted networks such as cafes, airports, and hotels.
IP Masking
Masking your IP address is one layer of privacy, not a complete anonymity solution on its own.
Threat Blocking
Some VPN apps include an optional feature to block known malicious sites and ad trackers, separate from the core VPN tunnel.
DNS Leak Protection
Confirming DNS requests route through the VPN tunnel helps close a common privacy gap.
No-Logs Policies
Understanding what a provider's no-logs policy actually covers, and whether it's been independently audited, helps set realistic expectations.
Account-Level Privacy
Strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication complement, rather than replace, VPN use.
Habits that support online privacy
Enable your kill switch on important connections
This helps prevent traffic from leaking if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects.
Check for DNS and IP leaks periodically
Various online tools can confirm whether your VPN connection is fully protecting your traffic.
Be cautious with links and attachments
A VPN does not filter every phishing attempt, so message-level caution still matters.
Combine a VPN with basic account security
Strong, unique passwords and available account protections add a separate layer of safety.
Want to learn more?
Read guides that connect VPN concepts with broader privacy practices.