VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are often marketed as the ultimate solution for online privacy and security. However, this narrative is misleading: while VPNs can offer some advantages, they are far from a universal remedy-and in some cases, they may even introduce new security issues.

So, if you thought you could now do anything under the cloak of invisibility provided by your shiny new two-year VPN subscription… well, it's not exactly like that. Let's see why.

In this article, we'll explore the limits of VPNs, why they don't guarantee total anonymity, and which alternatives and strategies might be more effective for protecting your online privacy.

A necessary clarification: in this article, we are talking about commercial VPNs for personal use. Corporate VPNs used to access your organization's private network are a completely different topic and not part of this discussion.


No, Your VPN Won't Make Your Browsing "Secure"

One of the main problems with VPNs is the false sense of security they give to users.

Many VPN advertisements promise "total anonymity" or "secure browsing," but these claims are often exaggerated-if not entirely baseless. VPNs do not protect against the most common online threats, such as:

  • Malware
  • Phishing
  • Browser vulnerabilities
  • Advanced tracking by tech companies

What VPNs do is create an encrypted tunnel between the user's device and the VPN server, hiding the IP address and protecting traffic from local network observers. However, once the traffic leaves the VPN server and reaches its final destination, it becomes vulnerable again.

VPNs also don't protect against websites that track users through browser fingerprinting, cookies, and other advanced tracking technologies.

A common myth is: "At least my traffic is encrypted, so it's safer."
The reality? As an average user, you don't need a VPN for that. Your traffic is already encrypted via SSL/TLS-i.e., HTTPS, which is now the standard.


"But My VPN Doesn't Log Anything!"

When using a VPN, you're essentially transferring trust from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to your VPN provider.
The issue is that many commercial VPNs are not transparent about who runs them or how they handle user data.

Most VPNs are based in countries with questionable privacy laws-or worse, jurisdictions known for mass surveillance. Many claim to have a "no-log" policy, but there is no way to verify those claims.

In fact, history has shown several concrete examples of VPN providers abusing user trust:

  • PureVPN (2017): Cooperated with the FBI by handing over user logs, despite claiming not to keep any.
  • Hola VPN: Abused user bandwidth to build a botnet.
  • Free VPNs: Frequently sell user data to third parties for advertising.

So, using a VPN means trusting a third-party company, hoping they're more honest than your ISP. In many cases, they're not.

Privacy protection laws vary by country. A VPN provider based in a country with weak privacy legislation could be forced to hand over user data to authorities-without even notifying the user.

There are no "above the law" VPNs: every company must comply with the laws of its jurisdiction. So even if a VPN claims to be "secure," that may not be true if it operates in a country that allows surveillance.


"But at Least I Get Privacy Online!"

Another major limitation of VPNs is that they do not prevent tracking by companies like Google, Facebook, and other tech giants.

If you log into services like Gmail or Facebook while using a VPN, they will still identify you via your account. Even if your IP changes, cookies, browser fingerprinting, and other techniques allow companies to associate activity with your identity.

In some cases, using a VPN can make things worse-triggering fraud detection systems on certain websites, leading to extra verification steps like phone number or email confirmation.


So Are VPNs Completely Useless?

Not quite. What's important is understanding in which scenarios a VPN is actually useful-and whether that expensive monthly subscription is worth it.

When does it make sense to use a VPN?

  • Accessing private networks: VPNs were originally designed to securely access private networks-commonly used in the corporate world to give employees access to internal tools without exposing them to the open internet.
  • Public networks: When connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi (e.g., in airports, cafes, or public buildings), traffic may be intercepted by malicious actors. While HTTPS encrypts most communication, some apps may transmit unencrypted data. A VPN adds an extra layer of protection. Some VPNs even disable file sharing features while active. This can be useful for frequent travelers using public Wi-Fi.
    However, using a VPN does not make your connection more secure than your home network.
  • Geo-restricted content: Some online content is blocked based on location (e.g., streaming services or sites inaccessible to EU users due to GDPR). A VPN that lets you choose your exit country can help.
    But note: this doesn't offer any privacy benefits-only content access.

So What Can I Do?

If VPNs aren't a silver bullet for privacy, is there a better way to stay secure online?

Yes-and here are a few options. But first, ask yourself: "Do I really need it?"
For most users, the answer is simply no.

1. Use Tor for anonymity

  • Tor is more effective than a VPN at protecting anonymity. It routes your traffic through multiple independent nodes, making tracking difficult.
  • But Tor is slower than VPNs and not suitable for heavy streaming or downloads.

2. Adopt good security practices

  • Use browsers with anti-fingerprinting features (Brave, or Firefox with extensions)
  • Don't log into personal accounts if you're aiming to browse anonymously
  • Consider privacy-focused operating systems like Tails or Qubes OS

3. Set up your own VPN or proxy

  • If your only goal is protecting traffic on public networks, you can configure your own VPN on a private server (e.g., using WireGuard or OpenVPN), avoiding shady commercial providers.

4. Use end-to-end encryption for communication

  • Prefer Signal over WhatsApp or Telegram
  • Protect personal data using encryption tools like VeraCrypt or GnuPG

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Security Is a Practice, Not a Product

VPNs can be useful in specific scenarios, like securing public Wi-Fi traffic or bypassing geo-restrictions. But they are not a complete solution for privacy or security.

That's why it's important to understand their limits and adopt a broader strategy that includes anonymity tools, encryption, and good digital hygiene.

Blindly trusting a VPN-without considering the associated risks-can give you a false sense of security, leaving you exposed to threats a VPN alone cannot mitigate.

So… was that expensive VPN subscription a smart choice?
Maybe.
But only if you truly know what it does, and what it doesn't.