My Honest Guide to Using a VPN

VPNs get talked about a lot, and not always accurately. Some people think they're only for tech experts, others think they're some kind of magic cloak that makes you invisible online. Neither is true. Here's what I actually tell people when they ask me whether they need one, what a VPN can and can't do, and the one I use myself.

None of this is complicated, and you don't need to understand the technical side to get the benefit. You just need to know when to switch it on, and what it's actually protecting you from.

What a VPN Actually Does

A VPN encrypts the connection between your device and the internet, so anyone else on the same network, or sat between you and the website you're visiting, can't see what you're sending. It also hides your real IP address, which is the closest thing your device has to a postal address online. It won't stop you clicking a phishing link or falling for a scam text, so it's not a replacement for the basics I cover in my shortlist of what actually keeps people safe. Think of it as one more layer, not the whole suit of armour.

When I'd Actually Use One

Public wifi is the obvious one. Cafes, train stations, the library, anywhere with a free network that doesn't ask for a password is a place where someone else could potentially be watching the traffic. I also use one when I'm checking my bank account or logging into anything sensitive away from home, and when I want to keep my browsing away from my internet provider's prying eyes. If you mostly use the internet at home on your own secure network, the urgency is lower, but I'd still recommend having one ready for whenever you're out and about.

What I Look For in a VPN

Not all VPNs are created equal, and some free ones make their money by logging and selling the exact data you're trying to hide, which rather defeats the point. I look for a strict no logs policy that's actually been independently audited, servers that don't slow your connection to a crawl, and a kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, so you're never accidentally browsing unprotected. Ease of use matters too. If it's a hassle to turn on, most people simply won't bother, and a VPN that's switched off protects nobody.

Why I Use NordVPN

I use NordVPN myself, mainly because it ticks every one of those boxes without needing me to dig through settings to find them. The no logs policy has been independently audited, it doesn't noticeably slow my connection even on video calls, and the kill switch has actually saved me once when a hotel wifi connection dropped mid-transfer. It also runs quietly in the background once it's set up, which matters more than people expect, since a VPN you have to think about every time is a VPN you'll eventually stop using.

VPNs on Your Phone Matter Just as Much

People tend to think of a VPN as a laptop thing, but your phone is arguably more exposed. It's the device most likely to connect automatically to whatever open network is nearby, and it's the one you're most likely to use for banking, email, and messaging while you're out. A phone sat in your pocket connected to an unsecured airport network is just as vulnerable as a laptop open on a cafe table, it's simply easier to forget about because you're not looking at it. I keep mine switched on by default rather than remembering to turn it on each time, which removes the chance of forgetting altogether.

The Myth I Hear Most Often

The one I get asked about constantly is whether a VPN makes you completely anonymous online. It doesn't, and any provider that claims otherwise is overselling it. Your VPN provider can still see your traffic even if the sites you visit can't, which is exactly why the no logs policy matters so much when you're choosing one. Websites can also still identify you through cookies, account logins, and browser fingerprinting regardless of what your IP address says. A VPN is genuinely useful for privacy and security, but treating it as an invisibility cloak is where people get a false sense of protection and start taking risks they wouldn't otherwise take.

Getting Set Up

Setting one up takes a few minutes at most. Install the app, sign in, pick a server or let it choose the fastest one automatically, and turn it on before you connect to anything you wouldn't want a stranger reading over your shoulder. It's worth pairing with a password manager like NordPass too, since a VPN protects your connection but a strong unique password protects the account itself. My Safety Toolkit has both of these set up with the links I actually use, and if you want a hand getting started, feel free to get in touch and I'll walk you through it.