Privacy and VPN - Protect Your IP Address

What Does Your IP Address Reveal?

Every time you visit a website, you automatically share your IP address. This information can be used to find out a surprising amount about you:

Geographic location — the city you're in, sometimes the neighborhood
Internet service provider — who you pay for internet
Network type — home network, business, mobile, or public wifi
Browsing patterns — websites can link visits from the same IP over time

You can see your own IP address and what it reveals on our homepage.

What Is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It's a service that creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server operated by the VPN provider. All your internet traffic is sent through this tunnel.

How it works:

You connect to a VPN server (e.g. in Sweden or the US)
All traffic from your device is encrypted and sent to the VPN server
The VPN server decrypts the traffic and forwards it to the website you're visiting
The website sees the VPN server's IP address instead of your own
The response is sent back to the VPN server, encrypted, and delivered to you

VPN Protocols

Different VPN services use different protocols. Here are the most common:

WireGuard

Modern, fast, and simple. Uses modern cryptography and has less code than OpenVPN. Increasingly popular and recommended for most users.

OpenVPN

Established standard with years of testing. Very flexible and supported by almost all platforms. Slightly more resource-intensive than WireGuard.

IKEv2/IPsec

Excellent for mobile — reconnects quickly when switching networks (e.g. from wifi to cellular). Often used by Apple and others.

L2TP/IPsec

Older protocol, often built into operating systems. Secure, but slower than WireGuard and OpenVPN. Rarely used as primary choice today.

Threat Models: Who Do You Want to Protect Against?

Before choosing a VPN and other privacy tools, it helps to think about who you want to protect yourself from. Different threats require different solutions:

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A VPN prevents your ISP from seeing which websites you visit and what you do online. They only see encrypted traffic to the VPN server.

Websites and ad networks

A VPN hides your real IP, making it harder to track you across websites. Combine with ad blockers for best effect.

Hackers on public wifi

An encrypted VPN tunnel protects against eavesdropping at cafés, airports, and hotels. Important when handling sensitive data.

Government surveillance

A typical commercial VPN offers limited protection against state surveillance. The VPN provider may have legal obligations. For stronger anonymity: Tor.

Privacy Regulations

In the European Union and many other regions, privacy is regulated by GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and similar laws. IP addresses can be considered personal data when they can be linked to an identifiable person.

Data protection authorities in each country oversee compliance. Websites that collect IP addresses and other data must inform users and have a legal basis. You have the right to access, correct, and delete your data.

Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Electronic communications are regulated, but personal use of VPN for privacy is generally not prohibited. Be aware that some services (e.g. streaming) may restrict access from VPNs according to their licensing agreements.

VPN Myths and Misconceptions

Many myths circulate about VPNs. Here are some important corrections:

"VPN makes me anonymous" — No. A VPN hides your IP address from websites, but the VPN provider knows who you are. Logins, cookies, and other activity can still track you.
"VPN protects me from viruses and malware" — No. A VPN encrypts traffic, but doesn't protect against downloading malicious software or phishing. Use antivirus and common sense.
"Free VPN is as good as paid" — Rarely. Many free VPNs make money by selling user data or showing ads. They often have limitations and weaker security.
"VPN makes me 100% safe on public wifi" — A VPN protects your traffic, but not against all threats. For example, you can still be tricked into visiting fake websites (phishing) or downloading malware.

Why Use a VPN?

Privacy

Hides your real IP address from websites and ad networks, making it harder to track you.

Security on public wifi

Encrypts your traffic so others on the same network (e.g. café or airport) can't eavesdrop.

Bypass geographic restrictions

Access content available in other countries by connecting to a server there.

Avoid bandwidth throttling

Some ISPs throttle certain types of traffic (like streaming). A VPN can prevent this because the ISP can't see what you're doing.

What to Look for in a VPN

No logging — choose a provider with a strict no-log policy that's independently verified
Strong encryption — AES-256 is the industry standard
Kill switch — blocks all traffic if the VPN connection drops
Server network — many server locations provide better performance and flexibility
Speed — a VPN adds some latency, but good services minimize this

Other Ways to Protect Your Privacy

A VPN is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are other steps you can take:

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) — encrypts DNS requests so your ISP can't see which domains you visit
Private browsing mode — prevents local history and cookies from being stored
Ad blockers — block trackers and ad networks that collect data
The Tor network — routes traffic through multiple layers of encryption for maximum anonymity
HTTPS everywhere — make sure you use encrypted connections (look for the padlock in the address bar)

Test Your Privacy

Wondering what your IP address reveals right now? Visit our homepage to see your IP, location, and ISP. Then try connecting to a VPN and see the difference!

You can also use our DNS lookup tool to investigate domains, or the speed test to see if your VPN affects your speed.

Frequently Asked Questions About VPN and Privacy

Is VPN legal?

Yes. Using a VPN is fully legal for individuals in most countries. You can use a VPN for privacy, content access, or work without legal issues. Some services (like streaming) may restrict access from VPNs according to their licensing agreements.

Do I need a VPN at home?

It depends on your needs. On your home network you're relatively safe — your ISP sees the traffic, but it's encrypted to websites using HTTPS. A VPN adds an extra layer of privacy and can be useful if you want to hide your browsing patterns from your ISP or use services from other countries.

Does VPN slow down my internet?

A VPN always adds some latency because traffic must go through an extra server. Good quality VPNs with servers near you minimize this — many experience little or no noticeable difference. Use our speed test with and without VPN to compare.

Can the VPN provider see what I do?

Technically yes — all traffic goes through their servers. That's why it's crucial to choose a provider with a strict no-log policy that's independently verified. Read the terms and look for third-party audits of the logging policy.

Are free VPNs safe?

Many free VPNs have limitations: data caps, ads, or — worse — they sell user data. "If the service is free, you're the product" often applies. For serious privacy, a paid service with a transparent business model is recommended.

Does VPN protect against phishing and viruses?

No. A VPN encrypts your traffic between your device and the VPN server, but doesn't protect against malicious software, phishing websites, or other threats. You still need antivirus, common sense, and caution with links and attachments.

What's the difference between VPN and Tor?

A VPN routes your traffic through one server; Tor sends it through multiple volunteer nodes (at least three) for stronger anonymity. Tor is slower and less practical for daily use, but offers better protection against surveillance. Many use VPN for privacy and Tor when anonymity is critical.

Should I have VPN on my phone?

It can be useful, especially on public wifi (cafés, airports). On cellular networks your traffic is already encrypted by the carrier, but a VPN still hides your IP address and browsing patterns from websites. Many VPN apps have automatic connection on unknown networks.

Privacy and VPN: Protect Your Identity Online