VPN Protection: What It Hides & What It Doesn’t

Yes — but only in certain ways.

When you use a VPN, your internet connection is encrypted and routed through a secure server. This hides:

• Your IP address (a number that identifies you and your location online)
• The websites you visit (from your ISP)
• Your location (from most apps and websites)
• What you’re doing online when using public Wi-Fi

But it doesn’t hide:

• Who you are if you're logged into services like Google or Facebook
• What you post online
• Device or browser “fingerprints”
• What your VPN provider could log — unless it has a no-logs policy (which means it doesn’t track or store what you do online)

A good way to think about it:
A VPN shields your connection — not your identity.

Your internet provider (ISP) can usually see everything you do — the websites you visit, what you download, and even how long you stay on certain pages.

When you connect through a VPN:

• Your ISP can only see that you're connected to a VPN — not what you’re doing
• All the traffic between your device and the VPN server is encrypted
• The websites you visit and what you do on them are hidden from your provider

That means:
No more snooping, profiling, or selling your browsing history to advertisers.

Technically, yes — if they wanted to.

This is why it’s so important to choose a provider with a real no-logs policy (meaning they don't record your online activity) and a proven track record. The best VPNs:

• Don’t store activity logs or connection timestamps
• Undergo independent audits to verify their claims
• Are based in countries with strong privacy laws (not places where governments monitor internet activity)

If you’re using a free or shady VPN, there’s a good chance they are tracking you — and possibly selling your data.

Not completely.

It hides your IP address and makes it harder to link your activity back to you — but it doesn’t:

• Mask your identity if you're logged into accounts (like Gmail, YouTube, or Instagram)
• Block cookies or trackers on its own
• Prevent apps from accessing GPS if you’ve given permission

To stay more anonymous:

• Use private browsers
• Avoid logging in where possible
• Combine your VPN with privacy tools like tracker blockers

This is where VPNs shine.

When you’re on public Wi-Fi (like at a café or airport), other people on the same network can potentially spy on your activity. A VPN encrypts your connection so:

• No one else on the network can see what you’re doing
• Your passwords, messages, and personal info stay safe
• Hackers can’t snoop on your data when you’re using public Wi-Fi

Even if the Wi-Fi is open or sketchy, you’re still protected.

A VPN protects your connection, not your identity.

✅ It hides:

• Your IP address and location
• Your traffic from your ISP
• Your activity on public Wi-Fi

❌ It doesn’t hide:

• Who you are when logged into accounts
• What you post or share online
• What a shady VPN provider might track