How to Choose a VPN: Complete Guide

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, protecting your online activity from surveillance, interception, and tracking. With internet privacy under increasing threat from ISP data collection, public Wi-Fi risks, and expanding government surveillance, a VPN has become an essential privacy tool for everyday internet users. But not all VPNs are created equal. Some protect your privacy; others actively undermine it. This guide helps you understand what VPNs actually do, what to look for, and how to set one up.

What VPNs Actually Do (and Do Not Do)

Understanding VPN capabilities and limitations is essential for using one effectively:

What a VPN Does

• Encrypts your internet traffic. All data between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, preventing your ISP, network administrators, or nearby attackers from seeing what you are doing online.

• Hides your IP address. Websites and services see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours, making it harder to track your location and online activity.

• Protects on public Wi-Fi. Encryption prevents other users on the same public network from intercepting your traffic.

• Bypasses geographic restrictions. By connecting to servers in different countries, you can access content that is restricted to specific regions.

• Prevents ISP tracking. Your internet service provider cannot see which websites you visit or what you do online when your traffic is encrypted through a VPN.

What a VPN Does Not Do

• Does not make you anonymous. A VPN hides your IP address but does not prevent tracking through cookies, browser fingerprinting, account logins, or other methods. True anonymity requires additional tools and practices.

• Does not protect against malware. A VPN encrypts your traffic but does not scan for or block malware. You still need antivirus and endpoint protection.

• Does not prevent phishing. A VPN does not evaluate the legitimacy of websites or emails.

• Does not make illegal activity legal. Using a VPN does not change the law. Activities that are illegal remain illegal regardless of whether a VPN is used.

Features to Look For in a VPN

When evaluating VPN providers, prioritize these features:

• No-logs policy (verified). The most important feature. The VPN provider should not log your connection times, IP addresses, websites visited, or data transferred. Look for providers whose no-logs claims have been verified through independent audits or tested in court cases where they had no data to turn over.

• Strong encryption. Look for AES-256 encryption with secure protocols. WireGuard and OpenVPN are the current recommended protocols. Avoid providers that offer only PPTP, which is outdated and insecure.

• Kill switch. A kill switch automatically blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed during brief disconnections.

• DNS leak protection. Ensures that DNS queries (which reveal which websites you visit) are routed through the VPN tunnel rather than leaking to your ISP's DNS servers.

• Multi-hop (double VPN). Routes your traffic through two VPN servers in different countries for additional privacy. Useful for high-risk situations but reduces speed.

• Split tunneling. Allows you to route some traffic through the VPN while other traffic goes directly to the internet. Useful for maintaining VPN protection on sensitive activities while allowing full-speed access for streaming or gaming.

• Server network. A large, geographically diverse server network provides more options for bypassing restrictions and generally better performance due to less server congestion.

• Jurisdiction. The VPN provider's country of incorporation affects what data they may be legally compelled to collect or share. Providers based in countries outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances face fewer surveillance obligations.

Free vs. Paid VPNs

The distinction between free and paid VPNs is critical:

Free VPNs: Proceed with Extreme Caution

Running a VPN service costs money for servers, bandwidth, and development. If a VPN is free, the provider is monetizing you in other ways. Studies have found that many free VPN apps contain malware, log and sell user data, inject advertisements into web traffic, or provide weak or no encryption. A few reputable free options exist with limitations: Proton VPN offers a genuinely free tier with strong privacy protections but limited server locations and speeds. Windscribe offers 10GB per month free with a no-logs policy. These are the exception, not the rule.

Paid VPNs: Worth the Investment

Reputable paid VPN services typically cost between $3 and $12 per month on annual plans. Recommended providers include:

• Mullvad: Privacy-focused, accepts anonymous payment, independently audited, no email required to sign up. Based in Sweden.

• Proton VPN: From the makers of ProtonMail. Strong privacy credentials, open-source apps, independently audited, based in Switzerland.

• IVPN: Transparent privacy-first provider, independently audited, minimal data collection, based in Gibraltar.

• Windscribe: Good balance of features and price, strong privacy policy, based in Canada.

VPN Setup Guide

Setting up a VPN is straightforward:

1. Choose and subscribe to a reputable VPN provider based on the criteria above.

1. Download the official app for your device from the provider's website or your device's official app store. Avoid third-party download sites.

1. Install and launch the app. Sign in with your account credentials.

1. Configure settings. Enable the kill switch, enable DNS leak protection, and select your preferred protocol (WireGuard is recommended for most users due to its speed and security).

1. Connect to a server. For general privacy, connect to a server in your own country for the best speed. For bypassing geographic restrictions, connect to a server in the desired country.

1. Verify the connection. Visit a site like ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com to confirm your VPN is working correctly: your real IP should be hidden, and DNS queries should not be leaking.

When to Use a VPN

Consider using a VPN in these situations:

• Any time you connect to public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports, hotels, libraries).

• When you want to prevent your ISP from tracking and selling your browsing data.

• When accessing sensitive accounts (banking, healthcare) from networks you do not control.

• When traveling internationally and needing to access services from your home country.

• When conducting research on sensitive topics where you prefer not to leave a trail.

Bellator Cyber Guard provides guidance on VPN selection, configuration, and integration into your broader privacy and security strategy. Whether you are an individual seeking better online privacy or a business needing to secure remote workers, we can help you choose and deploy the right VPN solution. Contact us at guard@bellatorit.com for personalized privacy recommendations.