A virtual private link can be used at a wi-fi hotspot to create a secure path over the internet.

Go to Settings 

Note: If you don’t see Set Up Personal Hotspot as an option, but you have an active cellular data plan and Cellular Data is turned on in Settings > Cellular Data, contact your carrier about adding Personal Hotspot to your plan.

You can change the following settings:

• Change the Wi-Fi password for your Personal Hotspot: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > Wi-Fi Password.

• Turn off Personal Hotspot and disconnect devices: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, then turn off Allow Others to Join.

Click here for a summary

A Short Summary: What is a VPN?

A VPN creates a secure connection between your devices and the internet. When you connect to the internet through a VPN, all your data traffic is sent through an encrypted virtual tunnel. This has multiple advantages:

• You’ll be more anonymous on the internet: your real IP address and location will be hidden.
• You’ll be safer on the internet: the encrypted tunnel will keep away hackers and cybercriminals, and your device won’t be as vulnerable to attacks.
• You’ll be freer on the internet: by using different IP addresses, you’ll be able to access websites and online services that would otherwise be blocked.

Do you want to start using a VPN? We recommend NordVPN. This VPN has a lot of options, offers strong security, and has performed well in our tests. It even managed to take the number one spot!

You can find out how to set up a VPN connection and what a VPN can do for you in the full article below.

A virtual private network, better known as a VPN, protects your online activity and privacy by hiding your true IP address and creating a secure, encrypted tunnel to access the internet. No snoops, trackers, or other interested third parties will be able to trace your online activity back to you.

Moreover, you can reach a new level of internet freedom by hopping servers across different countries to unblock restricted content. Once you’ve downloaded the VPN software, you can secure a device and access global content with a simple click.

But what is a VPN and how exactly does it protect you and keep your activity anonymous? While they’re extremely easy to use, the tech behind VPNs can be a little tricky to grasp. We’ve broken it down in simple terms below and have some VPN recommendations for you to try out.

VPN Explained: What is a VPN?

A VPN assigns you a new anonymous IP address, reroutes your internet connection through a server in its network, and encrypts your data. This creates a secure tunnel between your device (e.g. smartphone or laptop) and the internet. It also masks your identity and online traffic from your internet service provider (ISP), government authorities, hackers, and other third parties.

A good VPN ensures that this sensitive data and online activity stays hidden. Because you can choose where your server is located, it also helps you use the internet more freely by bypassing censorship or unblocking geo-restricted services such as Netflix, DisneyPlus, HBOMax, and more.

Here’s a video we put together as a visual explainer:

How Does a VPN Work?

Connecting to a VPN is generally quite simple. After subscribing to a VPN provider, you download and install the VPN software. You then select a server you want to connect to, and the VPN will do the rest.

Want to know the ins and outs? Once the connection has been established, here’s how your data is transmitted through an encrypted tunnel.

1. The VPN client software on your computer encrypts your data traffic and sends it to the VPN server through a secure connection. The data goes through your ISP, but it’s been so scrambled because of the encryption, they can no longer decipher it.
2. The encrypted data from your computer is decrypted by the VPN server.
3. Your data is then sent to the internet and receives a reply that’s meant for you, the user.
4. The traffic is then encrypted again by the VPN server and is sent back to you.
5. The VPN client on your device will decrypt the data so you can actually understand and use it.

VPN Advantages: Why Use a VPN service?

There are plenty of advantages of using a VPN. While some are more security and privacy-geared, others are just useful and can help you pull off cool tricks — like unblocking a streaming service’s entire international catalog. Here are some big VPN advantages:

Advantage 1: Anonymity online

A VPN hides your IP address, and therefore, your real location. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is rerouted through an encrypted virtual tunnel and your online activities can only be traced back to the IP of the VPN server, but no longer to you and your real IP address.

By using a VPN, you ensure that websites, marketeers, streaming services, governments and cybercriminals can no longer identify you by your IP address, because they only see the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to. Moreover, they won’t be able to find out your real location. Connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom, and for all they know, that’s where you would be!

So by using a VPN your online activity will no longer be linked to your own IP address. This way, you can browse the internet and engage in whatever online activity you’d like without it being tracked. This prevents companies and governments from following what you do online.

Advantage 2: Protection against hackers and governments

There are many different parties that are interested in your internet traffic, among them are governments and cybercriminals.

The security offered by a VPN makes it a lot harder for them to look at your data. However, we must mention that a VPN isn’t the ultimate solution to all things cybercrime. We always recommend combining a VPN with a good antivirus solution so that you’re covered on all bases.

Advantage 3: Secure browsing on public networks

The VPN encrypts all of your data while you use the public Wi-Fi network. A hacker will only see encrypted matter and won’t be able to see or use your personal information.

Advantage 4: Fight online censorship

Moreover, news websites and journalist platforms are often blocked because they are seen as a threat to the sitting government. In these countries, this censorship heavily impacts the freedom of speech of their citizens.

In some western countries there are also online restrictions.  For example, many regions block the Pirate Bay website because they do not want their citizens to download illegal materials.

A VPN can help you bypass censorship and restrictions by allowing you to connect to a server in a different country. By doing this you can go online as if you were in that other country. This way you can gain access to websites and services that are not available in your own country.

Advantage 5: Bypass geographical restrictions

It’s not just countries that impose restrictions on the internet. Some online services also restrict access to their content in certain regions. This happens with streaming services that only have broadcasting rights in certain countries and not in others.

If you are on holiday or you moved to a different country, you might be unable to view your usual streams. A VPN will also enable you to connect to the internet via servers in your home country, so you can watch your favorite show or access blocked websites again. It also works the other way around: if you want to gain access to websites or streaming services from a different country (for example to watch a different version of Netflix), you can do so with a VPN.

Advantage 6: Anonymous downloading

Downloading certain torrents is illegal in some countries and more than ever before downloaders are tracked down and sometimes even prosecuted.

Of course, we are not advocating any illegal actions. However, we do understand people want online privacy and anonymity, not just when browsing the internet, but also when uploading and downloading files.

To make sure nobody knows what you are downloading or uploading you can use a VPN. Because of the encrypted traffic and the rerouted IP address, a VPN helps you download anonymously.

Advantage 7: Prevent a digital file

Advertising networks such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter are constantly collecting information about you through your online traffic. With this information, they can show you tailored ads but more importantly, they are free to sell this information to a third party.

By encrypting your data using a VPN these networks will have a harder time collecting information on you. They will also have less influence on what you see online.

Advantage 8: Secure access to your company’s network

More and more companies are giving people the possibility to work from home or wherever they like. In such instances, a remote access VPN can be very beneficial to let employees connect to a company’s internal network from anywhere, safely and efficiently.

There are many VPNs built especially for business use. While they might not serve to unblock streaming services abroad, they are certainly useful in protecting private and sensitive company data.

VPN Limitations: Are There Any Risks?

Say you’re logged in to your Google account, you can be connected to a VPN on the other side of the world, Google will still be able to create a profile of you as an internet user. After all, they’ll simply correlate your search history with your account information, regardless of whether you change your IP address or not. The same is true for services like Facebook.

There are more ways in which online entities can determine your identity, which a VPN doesn’t protect you from. When using Google Maps, for instance, you’re often required to turn on GPS. This means Google Maps can see exactly where you are. There are also more advanced ways that are used to identify internet users, such as browser fingerprinting. This method uses your browser’s and device’s settings to distinguish you from other internet users.

Moreover, a VPN can slow down your internet. Your data has to be sent through the VPN server, which means it can take slightly longer to end up where it needs to be. However, there are several effective ways to increase internet speeds while connected to a VPN.

And then there’s the fact that VPN users are sometimes actively thwarted. VPNs are banned in some countries. There are also websites, apps and services that will deny you access if they detect you are using a VPN.

Additionally, you should be especially cautious about free VPNs. These are notorious for compromising your security and selling your data to third parties, which can be even worse than not using a VPN at all.

In other words, a VPN does significantly improve your online privacy and safety and is a vital part of your privacy and security precautions. However, it’s important to be aware of the limitations that VPNs have and the additional measures required to compensate for these limitations. Fortunately, we have an article that highlights these measures and helps you to be anonymous online.

Is a VPN Safe?

VPN safety is an important factor to consider. Your internet traffic is redirected and runs through the servers of your chosen VPN provider. So, the VPN provider company could see everything you do if it wanted to. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a trusted VPN that does not keep logs of user data that can be shared with third parties

Many VPN providers indulge in shady privacy practices and sell your data to advertisers, for example. This is especially the case with free VPNs. These are often not safe, because they don’t have the right security options (like Tuxler VPN, for example) or abuse your IP address by assigning it to someone else (like Hola VPN).

Therefore, it’s important to do your research about a VPN before using it. We’ll give you a few recommendations for good and secure VPN services later in this article.

Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet Connection?

You might have heard that a VPN can slow down your internet connection. It’s true that some VPN services do have this effect. After all, a VPN provides an encrypted connection wherein your data is routed through a remote server. This takes longer, so it could slow down your internet connection. However, this isn’t always the case.

There are many VPNs that do everything in their power to make your internet connection as fast as it can be (and sometimes even faster than you’re used to). If you want to make sure you end up with a fast VPN, check out our research on the fastest VPNs of this moment.

All the VPNs we recommend are proven to work perfectly and cause little to no delays. Streaming, gaming, and browsing will go as fast as normal, only with increased freedom, security, and privacy.

Further, if your internet speed is artificially restricted by your internet service provider or another party, a VPN can actually make your connection faster. The VPN ensures this limit no longer applies to you, so you can use the full potential of your connection.

Is Using a VPN Legal?

Some people wonder whether VPNs are legal or not. After all, the service enables you to become more anonymous online, which can be quite useful for hackers and online criminals. If those people can’t be traced online, it’s much harder to punish them for their crimes. Even so, this doesn’t necessarily mean a VPN is illegal.

On the contrary: many official companies and businesses work with VPNs and recommend their use. The European Union, too, supports internet freedom, which a VPN can give you.

Many countries consider the use of a VPN completely legal. Routine activities such as browsing, gaming, Netflix, and YouTube, are not a problem at all. Of course, conducting illegal activities via a VPN remains unlawful and punishable. For instance, if you are caught using a VPN to download illegal files such as unofficial copies of movies and music, you could get in trouble with the law. While the VPN gives you more anonymity online and makes it a lot harder for officials to trace you down, the downloading in and of itself is still illegal.

There are a couple of countries that do consider the use of a VPN illegal. If you’d like to know more about these countries and the legal and illegal use of VPNs in general, we’ve compiled a full guide about VPN legality. Using a VPN in most of the (Western) world won’t get you into trouble. On the contrary: we’d recommend it.

What is a VPN Connection?

VPN connections use an encrypted tunnel to transmit your data. These secure tunnels are created through VPN protocols that ensure a safe and secure connection. A VPN protocol is like a set of rules or instructions that determine how your data is routed between your device and the VPN server.

We have created a detailed guide to VPN protocols, but here’s a quick summary of the different protocols offered by a VPN service:

• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a widely used protocol. It’s an open-source protocol that uses encryption based on the OpenSSL and SSLv3/TLSv1 protocols. Most VPN services support OpenVPN and it’s available for a lot of different platforms (e.g. Windows, Android, Linux, routers). Most consider OpenVPN to be the best choice.
• IPsec/L2TP: This protocol combines IPsec for the encryption of data with L2TP for establishing a secure connection. Most operating systems include IPsec/L2TP, which is a good choice when OpenVPN isn’t available.
• IKEv2/IPsec: IKEv2 is a protocol based on IPSec. This protocol can quickly connect to and switch between networks. This makes it an ideal choice for smartphones because these devices tend to switch between Wi-Fi networks and public Wi-Fi networks regularly. According to some sources, IKEv2 is faster than OpenVPN. Nevertheless, OpenVPN is seen as the better protocol.
• PPTP: PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol) is one of the first widely used protocols. This protocol contains a few (potential) leaks. For this reason, its use is only advisable if speed is more important to you than safety. This could be the case if you want to bypass restrictions set up by streaming services.
• Softether: Softether, unlike other VPN protocols mentioned so far, is not a stand-alone protocol, but an open-source application that works across different platforms and offers support to VPN protocols such as SSL VPN, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and Microsoft Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol.
• WireGuard: WireGuard is a relatively new protocol that has been gaining in popularity. It runs on a Linux kernel and is aimed at performing even better than OpenVPN and IPsec. It’s still in development, so you’re better off using OpenVPN for now.

How to Set Up Your VPN

Setting up a virtual private network is simpler than it might seem. Well, some VPNs are more user-friendly than others. Once you’ve found those (which we’ll recommend later), all it requires is signing up for a VPN provider of your choice, installing its VPN apps on your devices, establishing a secure VPN connection, and then using the internet as usual.

The VPN encrypts your data and prevents your internet service provider or other third parties from snooping on your online activities, without you having to do anything but click a button.

Most VPNs offer software for all types of devices and operating systems. You can download a VPN client for all major operating systems, including, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Linux.

There’s also the option to install a VPN on your Wi-Fi router, which means all devices connecting to the VPN will automatically be routed through a secure VPN connection.

Here’s a quick guide to signing up for and using a VPN service:

Step 1. Subscribe to a trustworthy VPN service

It’s vital to choose a good VPN provider that’s safe, reliable, fast and user-friendly. We have tested most major VPN providers of this moment on their performance and usability. Most good VPN providers offer trials so you can check out their service free of charge. If you’d like to get started with a safe, effective, and affordable VPN, we recommend SurfShark, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN.

We tested these providers extensively and found them to be very suitable for beginners, as they are easy to understand and set up, while also being very fast. Moreover, these two VPNs allow you to secure multiple devices with a single subscription and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. This way you can try them for a month without being stuck to a long-term subscription. Furthermore, using the links and buttons on our website will get you a discount with these providers.

Alternatively, there are some free VPN providers that offer a secure VPN connection with a few limitations such as restricted features, speed caps, and data limits. Our top recommendations are Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN. Just like with paid VPNs, you need to go to their website and sign up for an account to begin using the service.

Step 2. Download the VPN app

Now that you’ve signed up to your preferred VPN provider, you simply need to download the VPN app of this provider on your Android, iOS, Windows, Mac or other device. Visit the website of your VPN provider to find the necessary software. Don’t download from a different source, as these downloads might contain malware. Once you’ve successfully downloaded and installed the software, you’ll be able to log in.

If you want to learn how to install a VPN on a specific device, such as a smartphone or smart TV, the installation may vary, depending on your device and operating system. Here are just a few popular guides we’ve compiled in our VPN Setup section section:

• Setting Up a VPN Connection on Windows
• Setting up a VPN on MacOS
• How to Set Up a VPN on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Setting up a VPN on your iPhone or iPad (iOS)
• Installing a VPN for your Smart TV

Step 3. Activate the VPN app and start browsing the internet safely and freely

In your VPN client app, click or tap the “Connect” or “On” switch to establish a VPN connection. Your IP address (and digital location) will be swapped with an anonymous IP address of your choosing, and your data and traffic will be encrypted and protected.

You can also select a specific server location that can help you bypass censorship and geo-blocks. For instance, if you are an American on holiday in the Netherlands, you can still watch American Netflix by connecting to a US server on your VPN.

Three Top VPNs

We’ve already made a list of the best VPN providers that are trustworthy and value for money. Below, we’ll give a brief summary of our top three picks that will work on all the above operating systems.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN provider we’ve tested. It offers great security and privacy without compromising on speed. It has apps for all your devices and allows up to six simultaneous connections on a single subscription. NordVPN apps are incredibly user-friendly and offer advanced options like dedicated IP addresses and obfuscated servers, which make it easier to circumvent geo-restrictions, such as those enforced by Netflix. Therefore, this VPN service works seamlessly to unblock Netflix and all other major streaming services such as DinseyPlus, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, and more.

On top of that, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which means you can try out the service and get a refund if you’re not satisfied. It also has very affordable deals, especially on its long-term subscriptions. If you’re interested, you can check out their discounts by clicking the button below.

• Excellent protection and a large network of servers
• Nice and pleasing application
• No logs

Visit NordVPN

2. Surfshark

Just like NordVPN, Surfshark is another of the best VPNs we’ve tested so far. It’s fast, secure, and offers 3200+ servers in 65 countries. It’s also available on all major devices and is easy to use. It works seamlessly with Netflix and allows torrenting too.

Furthermore, Surfshark offers plenty of additional features like ad blocking and GPS spoofing. All in all, it’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced users. The best part is that it is incredibly affordable, particularly if you go with the offer we have. If you’d like to try it out, click the button in the box below to visit their website. You can also give it a trial run using their 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
• 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
• Cheap with many extra options

Visit Surfshark

3. ExpressVPN

Although pricier than NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN is one of the largest and most popular VPN services in the world. It offers almost everything you could want in a VPN provider such as 3000+ stable servers in 94 countries, great speeds, and top-notch security. It supports streaming and torrenting anonymously and works on all devices, including Android, Windows, iPhone, Mac, and Linux. A major plus point is that the app is available in over ten languages.

However, you should be aware that this VPN service has been involved in controversy due to a revelation involving their CIO Daniel Gericke. It came to light that he previously worked as a hacker-for-hire at DarkMatter, a UAE-based cybersecurity firm involved in “Project Raven,” a secretive operation that helped the UAE monarchy surveil and track critics of its regime, including American journalists and activists.

ExpressVPN’s response to this situation made people skeptical of its privacy practices. Nonetheless, after extensive research, it’s safe to say that ExpressVPN can still be counted as one of the most reliable premium VPN services out there. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service before committing to it. If you’d like to give it a try, click the button in the box below.

• Very easy to use VPN
• Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e. Netflix)
• 3000+ servers in 94 countries

Visit ExpressVPN

What VPN Providers Are There?

Above, we’ve shown you three good VPN providers, but there are hundreds of companies that offer commercial VPNs. Just type “VPN” in the App Store or Play Store, and you’ll see a dizzying amount of VPN apps, most of which are free to download. On top of that, there are also quite a few companies that offer business VPN packages.

To make sure you dont accidentally use a bad VPN, we’ve personally tested many VPN providers. You can find everything you need to know about our testing and the results in our VPN review section.

Want to know if a particular service is worth your time? Below you’ll find a selection of VPN providers to give you an impression of the amount of services out there, including links to our reviews.

We also state under which jurisdiction each VPN provider falls and whether the VPN provider is located in a 5, 9 or 14 eyes country. The jurisdiction may have implications for the privacy of VPN users, as each country has different privacy laws. In practice, this affects the kind of user data VPN providers can store and for how long they need to store it.

With privacy in mind, you ideally want to use a VPN that doesn’t log or track anything about your internet activities.

Popular VPN providers for consumers

This is just a small selection of all available VPN providers. There are some really good VPNs on the market, a lot of mediocre VPNs, and even more bad, misleading, or even dangerous VPNs.

At VPNOverview.com we analyze developments in the VPN industry, read independent audit reports and monitor lawsuits involving VPN providers.

Unfortunately, quite a few VPN providers have fallen off their pedestal over the years. This might be because lawsuits showed that they secretly kept logs of users (HMA, PureVPN and IPVanish to mention a few). In addition, there are also some VPNs that are linked to questionable governments.

Therefore, choosing a reliable VPN is a must. After all, you redirect all your internet traffic via this party. You have to be able to rely 100% on the good intentions and integrity of the VPN provider you choose.

VPN providers for the business market

In addition to VPNs for consumers, there are also VPN solutions for businesses. Large companies and governments can use these VPN solutions to allow employees and other authorized people to access the network remotely.

Below is a small selection of business VPN providers:

• Perimeter81
• NordVPN Teams
• Cisco AnyConnect
• FortiClient
• Pulse Connect Secure
• Citrix
• GlobalProtect
• Sentry
• Zscaler
• Netmotion
• Twingate

Why is Online Security Important?

Maybe you’re wondering if the use of a VPN is really necessary. Well, a VPN offers more anonymity, safety and freedom online. This is more important than ever before, because an increasing part of our lives takes place online. We do our banking, keep in touch with friends, check our medical records, and work online.

It’s important that all this information about you stays safe. You wouldn’t just leave your bank invoices lying around on the street, so you’ll have to take that same kind of caution when it comes to your online data.

If you do not secure your internet connection, you run the risk that hackers, governments, your internet provider, websites, your employer, and others will find out more about you than you would like. A VPN shields your data from all of these groups.

Most people will know that the things you share online, for instance on Facebook or Instagram, can haunt you for the rest of your life. In the same way, everything you do online can have a lasting effect. What if a hacker can see where you do your finances online? Or what if your employer knows you spend your time on social media during work hours?

A VPN might not offer complete guaranties that you’ll never be hacked. However, a VPN will considerably lessen the chance that anyone can see your personal data, browser history, and other online activities.

Final Thoughts: What is a VPN?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure connection between you and the internet. It hides your identity and online activity from your internet service provider, governments, and the websites you visit. This ensures greater online privacy and security. In addition, VPNs help to circumvent censorship and geographical blocks to ensure a freer internet, no matter where you are in the world.

For the most part, VPN usage is safe and legal. However, sometimes certain websites and apps may not be accessible via VPN connections. Moreover, some countries ban VPN usage and you may get in trouble if found to be using one.

At the same time, you should be cautious about choosing a VPN because there are many shady companies out there that compromise your privacy under the guise of providing you with their service. Therefore, it’s important to do your research before signing up for any VPN.

Some premium services we highly recommend are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. These offer all the features you need for just a few dollars a month. You can even take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantees to try out the service before committing to it.

If money is an issue, there are also some reliable free providers, like the free versions of ProtonVPN and PrivadoVPN. However, they come with limited features compared to paid services.

For the technically inclined, it’s even possible to build your own VPN.

Want to learn more about VPNs and why you should use one? Check out our other articles:

• How to Download a VPN in Three Easy Steps
• VPN vs. Antivirus: Do You Need Both? What’s the Difference?
• What is a Cracked VPN and is it Safe to Use?
• How to Buy A VPN Completely Anonymously