The Biggest VPN Myths People Still Believe
Millions of us use VPNs every day to protect our data, browse securely, and access region-blocked content. Yet there are still many outdated assumptions about what exactly a VPN is. Here are some of the most common myths and what’s actually true.
- Logging policy
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No-logging policy
- Mobile app
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Android and iOS
- Number of servers
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1,000+
- Free trial
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30 days
- Encryption
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DES, RSA, AES
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN options available. It’s also easy to use and compatible with a variety of devices.
A VPN Makes You Completely Anonymous Online
A VPN does not make you anonymous. It prevents your ISP from tracking your online activities and hides your IP address from sites and services you visit. But there are many other ways to locate you.
If you’re logged into your account, Google can still track you in several ways. Log in to other sites and those sites will know what you click on. If your browser already has Facebook cookies saved, Facebook will be able to see you on any site that has one of its Like or Share buttons. And so on.
Even the VPN itself can track you if you haven’t chosen a privacy-focused one.
All VPNs are the same
If you need a VPN, it might be tempting to open your app store or do a quick search online and download the first one you find. This is a bad idea because VPNs vary so much. They may differ in terms of speed, performance, security, features and general reliability. Some prioritize things like streaming or torrenting, while others put privacy first.
It is important to do your research before registering. Our guide to the best VPNs of 2025 will help you find a service you should subscribe to, whether you want the best of the best or are looking for a cheap or free provider that’s still reliable.
Free VPNs are just as good as paid ones
Just like not all VPNs are the same, there is also a marked difference between free and paid VPNs.
First there is the question of financing. Paid VPNs have a very clear and transparent financing model. This is your monthly subscription. But free VPNs should make you money in other ways. Some will inject advertisements; many others will record your browsing habits and sell this data to third parties.
Additionally, free VPNs tend to be much more limited. They have fewer servers in fewer locations around the world. They may be slower and the amount of bandwidth you can use each month may be limited.
Some paid VPN providers offer limited free plans that you can use in a pinch. But as a general rule, you shouldn’t use free VPNs.
VPNs protect you from viruses and malware
A VPN is generally classified as security software, but it is not an antivirus tool. It encrypts your internet traffic, which helps protect you when using public Wi-Fi, but if you come across a questionable website or download an infected file, it won’t help.
Some VPNs offer limited protection, filtering your traffic to block sites known for phishing or spreading malware. But it doesn’t go much beyond the tools your browser already has.
It is debatable whether you still need antivirus software. If you want this for peace of mind, don’t assume your VPN will be enough.
VPNs Always Slow Down Your Internet
It used to be that there was a general rule that using a VPN would slow down your internet connection. Heavy encryption combined with limited infrastructure on connections that were initially slower made them difficult to use. It is a myth that persists, even if it is no longer true.
The big VPN players now have hundreds or even thousands of servers around the world and use faster modern protocols like WireGuard. You should see no performance impact. In fact, if you’re using an ISP that still limits certain types of traffic, a VPN might actually speed up your connection.
VPNs are only for “shady” activities
Lucas Gouveia/Comment Geek | Brian A. Jackson/Shutterstock
VPNs sometimes have an unfair reputation for being tools for certain questionable activities, used by hackers or people carrying out illegal activities. Some governments around the world might even try to fuel this reputation, as VPNs are the best way to get around age restrictions on many websites.
But VPNs are completely legit. They provide a level of privacy to protect you from surveillance and tracking, and make using public networks safer. They make your data and online activities more secure. And they can help you bypass censorship and region blocks for very valid reasons, like accessing news and educational resources. There is nothing suspicious about using a VPN.
VPNs guarantee access to any streaming library
One of the most common uses for a VPN is to watch streaming services from another country. This might be so you can access another region’s Netflix catalog, or perhaps get BBC iPlayer in America or Hulu in Europe. Although this often works, it is not guaranteed.
Streaming services are constantly trying to block IP addresses associated with VPNs. So even if your chosen VPN works with a service today, you can’t be sure it will still work tomorrow.
If this is your priority, you should choose a VPN that explicitly states that it works with foreign streamers. You may not get guaranteed no-disruption coverage, but it should work better than services that don’t mention it at all.
VPNs are powerful security and privacy tools. They encrypt your internet traffic, protect your online identity, and allow you to access content blocked in your region. They’re completely legal (in most countries), but they’re not magic and not all of them are equally good. Now that you know what’s true and what’s not true about VPNs, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether you need one and which one to choose.
This article was produced in partnership with NordVPN.
