What is a VPN?
A VPN is a service that creates an encrypted connection from your device to a VPN server through your Internet connection.
Think of it as a tunnel through a mountain, in which your Internet service provider (ISP) is the mountain, the tunnel is the VPN connection and the exit is to the world wide web.
There are some people who may mistake VPNs as alternatives to having an Internet connection, but this is incorrect.
Originally, VPNs were created to connect business networks together for more secure and convenient communications. Today, VPN service providers work hard to forward all your traffic to the Internet – bypassing government or ISP monitoring and even forced censorship in some cases.
In a nutshell, think of a VPN as a service that’s designed to help you gain full access to the Internet and protect you while doing it.
What Does a VPN Do?
The primary purpose of a VPN today is to provide anonymity. It does this by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a secure tunnel to a remote server. This prevents third parties, including ISPs and advertisers, from tracking your online activity.
Advantages of using a VPN Connection
- Anonymity – VPNs hide your real IP address, making it harder for websites, trackers, and even your internet provider to monitor your online activity. Many VPNs prioritize anonymity so much that they accept untraceable payments, such as cryptocurrency and gift cards.
- Security – All data passing through a VPN is encrypted, protecting your browsing activity from hackers and surveillance.
- Bypassing Geo-Restrictions – Since VPN services have servers in multiple locations worldwide, connecting to one allows you to ‘spoof’ your location to match that of the VPN server. This enables access to region-restricted content, such as Netflix, Hulu, or websites blocked by local regulations.
How Virtual Private Network Actually Works?
A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. Once your connection reaches the VPN server, your traffic is routed to the internet, masking your real IP address and encrypting your data.
For those looking for a deeper explanation, the VPN first establishes a communication protocol with your device. This protocol determines how data is transmitted between your device and the VPN server. Different VPN protocols offer varying levels of speed, security, and compatibility.
What Are the Common VPN Protocols?
VPNs use different communication protocols, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some prioritize speed, while others focus on security.
1. OpenVPN
OpenVPN is one of the most widely used VPN protocols. As an open-source protocol, it is constantly reviewed and improved by security experts. However, because it is publicly accessible, cybercriminals can also study it for potential vulnerabilities.
Despite this, OpenVPN remains highly secure. It supports 256-bit encryption, 2048-bit RSA authentication, and 160-bit SHA1 hashing, making it nearly impossible to crack. Another advantage is its flexibility – OpenVPN works across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and even routers.
The downside? High security often means slower speeds. The more complex the encryption, the longer it takes to process data.
2. Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)
L2TP is the successor to older protocols like PPTP and L2F. However, it doesn’t handle encryption on its own. Instead, it is usually combined with IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) to secure data transmission. This pairing is considered highly secure, with no known vulnerabilities.
One drawback is that L2TP/IPsec uses UDP port 500, which some networks can detect and block, making it less effective in bypassing VPN restrictions.
3. Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)
SSTP is a Microsoft-developed protocol that has been integrated into Windows since Vista SP1. It uses 256-bit SSL encryption and 2048-bit SSL/TLS certificates, making it highly secure.
However, since SSTP is proprietary to Microsoft, it is not open to public security audits. While this could mean fewer vulnerabilities, it also means users must trust Microsoft’s implementation.
4. Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2)
Developed by Microsoft and Cisco, IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol that works alongside IPsec for encryption. One of its standout features is its ability to quickly reconnect to lost connections, making it ideal for mobile VPN users who frequently switch between Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
5. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
PPTP is one of the oldest VPN protocols, dating back to the early days of the internet. While it was once widely used, serious security vulnerabilities have made it obsolete. Hackers have exploited PPTP for years, making it unsuitable for privacy-focused users.
The only advantage of PPTP is its speed. Because it lacks strong encryption, it processes data faster. However, most security experts recommend avoiding it entirely.
How Does VPN Encryption Work?
Encryption scrambles your data so that only someone with the right decryption key can read it. Think of it like a coded message – without the key, the message is meaningless.
For example, take the word “Cat.” If encrypted using 256-bit encryption, it would be transformed into an unreadable string of characters. Even the most powerful supercomputer would need millions of years to decrypt it without the key.
Encryption strength increases exponentially. 128-bit encryption is not just half as strong as 256-bit – it’s significantly weaker. While still secure, experts believe that 128-bit encryption may become crack-able in the near future.
VPNs let users choose their preferred encryption level, allowing a trade-off between security and performance. If you prioritize maximum privacy, stronger encryption is ideal, even if it slows down your connection. If speed is more important, using lighter encryption can improve performance.
Every time you connect to a VPN, your data is encrypted before being sent through the VPN tunnel. This ensures that even if someone intercepts your traffic, they won’t be able to read it.
My Personal VPN Experience
After spending over four years researching, testing, and experimenting with VPNs, I’ve learned more about these services than I ever thought I would. While I’m not a VPN engineer, I’ve gained firsthand experience using VPNs across different platforms – including mobile apps, browser extensions, and desktop clients. Some services exceeded my expectations, while others left me frustrated.
One of the biggest takeaways from my testing? No matter how good a VPN’s features are, bad customer support can ruin the experience. Some providers offer fast, secure connections but fail when it comes to assisting users. Incompetence and slow response times should never be acceptable, especially when dealing with privacy tools.
The Internet Connection: Faster Isn’t Always Better
When I first started testing VPNs, I had a 50 Mbps internet plan, and my speeds were consistently 40-45 Mbps – a reasonable loss considering encryption overhead. Later, I upgraded to a 500 Mbps connection, expecting an even better experience. Instead, I found that many VPNs struggle to maintain high speeds.
Several factors impact VPN speed:
- Your device’s processing power – Encryption adds strain, and slower machines struggle.
- Distance to the VPN server – The farther the server, the higher the latency.
- Encryption level – Stronger encryption improves security but slows performance.
- Server congestion – Overloaded servers lead to slower speeds, even with premium VPNs.
I noticed that not all VPNs are built to handle ultra-fast internet speeds. Many top-tier providers cap performance due to server limitations. If you have a gigabit-speed connection, don’t expect your VPN to deliver anywhere near that unless you choose a service optimized for high speeds (for instance, WireGuard protocol-based VPNs).
The Equipment Factor: Your Router Matters More Than You Think
Most people focus on their VPN provider, but I found that your router plays a huge role in performance. If you’re planning to install a VPN directly on your router, be prepared for speed drops unless you have high-end hardware.
For example, I tested a few VPNs on an Asus RT-1300UHP router, which handles gigabit speeds (LAN) and 400+ Mbps over Wi-Fi. Once the VPN was enabled, speeds plummeted to 10 Mbps, and the router’s processor hit 100% usage.
This is because VPN encryption requires significant processing power. Consumer-grade routers aren’t optimized for it. If you want smooth performance, you’ll need a powerful router like the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 or Netgear Nighthawk X10 – both expensive options.
Even with high-end routers, if your internet speeds are fast, your router will likely still be the bottleneck. Unless you’re tech-savvy and willing to invest in enterprise-grade networking hardware, running a VPN on a home router may not be the best option.
What I’ve Used a VPN For?
Once I understood the technical limitations, I tested VPNs in real-world use cases. Here’s what I found:
Streaming – Works Surprisingly Well
Streaming was one of my first tests, mainly to see how VPNs handle speed and geo-restrictions. Surprisingly, most premium VPNs can stream 4K UHD content without buffering, provided the server isn’t overloaded.
Some key observations:
- Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ work well with the right VPN, but some VPNs struggle with detection.
- BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video are harder to unblock consistently.
- Latency isn’t an issue for streaming – as long as speeds are decent, video quality holds up.
If streaming is your main concern, choosing a VPN with optimized servers for video streaming makes a big difference.
Gaming – Not Ideal for Competitive Play
I’m not a heavy gamer, but I tested VPNs with online games to measure latency (ping). If you’re trying to access a game server from another country, expect significantly higher ping times.
- Close VPN servers (same country) – Small increase in ping, but still playable.
- Far VPN servers (different regions) – Drastic ping increase, causing lag.
Even if download speeds remain high, VPNs introduce latency that can ruin fast-paced online gaming. If gaming is your priority, you’re better off using a VPN only for unlocking geo-restricted content and not while actually playing.
Exploring the Dark Web – Works, But at Lower Speeds
If you’re using a VPN while exploring the Dark Web, be prepared for noticeably lower speeds compared to normal browsing. However, this trade-off is worth it for the added security, anonymity, and protection against surveillance.
- Stronger Privacy, But Higher Latency – Using a VPN over Tor (connecting to a VPN first, then using Tor) hides your Tor usage from your ISP, but it also increases latency.
- Slower Speeds Due to Double Encryption – Both Tor and VPNs encrypt traffic, which enhances security but also reduces browsing speed significantly. Even with a high-speed internet connection, expect longer load times when visiting .onion sites.
- Malicious Exit Nodes Are No Longer a Concern – Tor’s exit nodes are vulnerable to monitoring, but with a VPN in place, your real IP remains protected, even if an exit node is compromised.
Torrenting – Works, But Not at High Speeds
Torrenting was another test, and while VPNs do the job well for privacy, speeds are heavily dependent on:
- The VPN provider – Some throttle P2P traffic, while others allow full-speed torrenting.
- Server selection – VPNs with dedicated P2P servers tend to offer better speeds.
- Local vs. distant servers – The closer the VPN server, the better the download speeds.
At lower internet speeds (50-100 Mbps), VPNs worked fine for torrenting. However, at higher speeds (500 Mbps+), most VPNs couldn’t keep up, dropping speeds significantly. If torrenting is important to you, choose a VPN known for strong P2P support with high-speed servers.
Takeaway from My VPN Testing
Through all my testing, one thing remains clear – VPN performance varies widely depending on your setup. Your hardware, internet speed, server location, and encryption settings all impact how well a VPN performs.
If you’re just starting out, choosing the right VPN for your needs is more important than picking the fastest one. If privacy is your priority, go for strong encryption and no-log policies. If speed matters most, opt for a VPN with optimized servers and lightweight protocols like WireGuard.
Regardless of what you use a VPN for, one thing is certain: No VPN is perfect, and your experience will depend on how well your setup handles it.
Conclusion: Do you Need a VPN?
Online privacy is under constant attack, and it’s happening faster than most people realize. It’s no longer just cybercriminals looking to steal personal information – governments, corporations, and data brokers are just as eager to track, store, and exploit your online activity for their own benefit.
Your need for a VPN depends largely on where you live and what you do online. Some countries impose heavy surveillance and censorship, while others have more relaxed policies. However, the global trend is clear – online privacy is shrinking.
The VPN market reflects this urgency. In 2022, the industry was valued at $45 billion, and by 2032, it’s projected to reach $350 billion (source). This rapid growth isn’t just a business trend – it’s a sign that more people are realizing the need to secure their internet activity.
Why a VPN is Essential for Dark Web Exploration?
For those interested in exploring the Dark Web, a VPN isn’t just useful – it’s essential.
While Tor provides anonymity, it doesn’t encrypt all your internet traffic by default. A VPN adds an extra layer of protection, shielding your browsing activity from ISPs, governments, and malicious actors who monitor Dark Web traffic.
Either you’re using our Dark Web search engine or visiting the .onion sites in our curated list, a VPN helps:
- Mask Your Real IP Address – Prevents anyone from linking your browsing activity to your identity.
- Bypass ISP Restrictions – Some internet providers block access to the Tor network. A VPN circumvents these restrictions.
- Add Encryption Beyond Tor – While Tor encrypts your traffic within its network, a VPN ensures your connection remains private from the moment you go online.
- Protect Against Malicious Exit Nodes – A VPN prevents Tor exit nodes from intercepting unencrypted traffic.
Final Thoughts: Privacy is No Longer Optional
For too long, we’ve been too complacent about online privacy. Sure, we’ve learned to be cautious about viruses and malware, but surveillance and data tracking are far more pervasive threats.
Think about it. Even if you’re just browsing harmless content like cat pictures, countless organizations are quietly collecting your browsing habits, location, and preferences. If this happens on the regular internet, imagine how much more sensitive your data becomes when exploring the Dark Web.
So, do you need a VPN? Yes.
Even if you think you don’t, you really do.
Whether you’re browsing mainstream websites or diving into the hidden corners of the internet, securing your connection is no longer optional – it’s necessary.