"They see what you browse. Why you might want to start using a VPN"

Do you know, who can see what sites you visit?Every time you open a website, your device starts talking. It shares:

• Your IP address (which shows your location)

• What websites you visit

• When you visit them

• What sites you visited earlier

• Sometimes what sites you go to visit next

• What device and browser you’re using

• Often even what you click, watch, and how you interact with the site

This data gets collected by your internet provider, websites, advertisers, search engines, browsers and sometimes, people with much worse intentions.

And all this still happens in incognito mode (yeah). It doesn’t make you invisible — it just hides your history from your own device, and deletes cookies from sites you visited, which are just a small part of the whole tracking system.

--------> To learn more about why Incognito mode isn't really private, check this article.

So here’s the real question:

How comfortable are you knowing that strangers — and companies — can quietly track what you do, when you do it, and where you’re doing it from?

If that doesn’t sound too appealing, it might be time to consider a VPN.

• If you want to learn more about tracking in todays internet, read this article.

🔒 What a VPN Can (and Can’t) Do for You

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) isn’t magic — but it’s one of the most effective ways to take back control over your online privacy.

Here’s what it actually does for you:

✅ What a VPN Can Protect You From:

🛜 1. Your Internet Provider Tracking You

Normally, your ISP (internet provider) can see every site you visit and when. A VPN encrypts that activity, hiding it — so your provider can only see that you’re connected to a VPN, nothing more.

🧑‍💼 2. Websites Learning Your Real Location (and Identity)

VPNs mask your real IP address — which normally reveals your approximate location and can help companies link your activity across sites. With a VPN, websites see the VPN server’s address, not yours.

🌐 3. Snooping on Public Wi-Fi

When you connect to public networks (cafés, hotels, airports), anyone else on that network can potentially spy on your traffic. A VPN encrypts your connection, making that data unreadable to hackers.

🎯 4. Location-Based Censorship or Restrictions

VPNs let you bypass blocks or restrictions tied to where you live — whether it’s government censorship, geo-blocked content, or services that work differently based on location.

⚠️ What a VPN Can’t Fully Protect You From:

🍪 Web Trackers, Fingerprinting & Cookies

If you’re logged into Google, Facebook, or Amazon — or just visiting sites that run trackers — your activity can still be logged and profiled through browser fingerprinting, third-party cookies, and other scripts.

🧠 The Platforms You Use Themselves

A VPN hides your traffic from outsiders, but it doesn’t block what websites or apps collect directly — like your search history on Google, or watch history on YouTube.

🙄 Human Error

If you click on sketchy links, download unknown attachments, or reuse weak passwords, no VPN can save you from that. It’s a privacy tool, not a full security system.

Bottom line: A VPN helps stop many of the silent, invisible ways your online activity is tracked — especially at the network level. But for full protection, it should be combined with other privacy tools like tracker blockers, a good browser, and smart habits.

• If you wish to explore other ways to protect your privacy, check out this article.

  
  

🧩 So… How Does a VPN Actually Work?

You don’t need to be a tech expert to get the basics.

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when you use a VPN:

🧭 1. Your Traffic Goes Through a Private Tunnel

Instead of going straight from your device to a website, your traffic first travels through a secure “tunnel” to a VPN server in a location you choose (like Germany, Canada, or anywhere else).

🛣️ 2. Your Internet Traffic Gets Encrypted

Everything you do online — visiting websites, sending messages, watching videos — gets wrapped in a layer of encryption. That means it turns into unreadable code for anyone trying to snoop in.

🌍 3. Websites See the VPN, Not You

When your traffic finally reaches the website, it looks like it’s coming from the VPN server — not your actual device. That hides your real IP address and location.

Think of it like mailing a letter through a trusted friend in another country. The letter gets to the destination, but the return address isn’t yours — it’s theirs.

🛡️ Choosing a VPN: Why Free Isn’t Always Safe

When it comes to free products, especially VPNs, “free” often means you’re the product.

Many free VPN services claim to protect your privacy — but in reality, most of them:

• Log your browsing activity

• Sell your data to advertisers or shady third parties

• Inject ads or trackers into the pages you visit

• Offer weak or outdated encryption

• Expose you to security risks through poor infrastructure

  
  

There have even been cases of free VPNs leaking user data, or being caught distributing malware. So ironically, some free VPNs can leave you less private and less secure than having no VPN at all.

Don’t trust just any VPN — especially if it’s free. A shady VPN can see everything you're trying to hide from others.

• If you'd like to learn more about dangers of free VPNs, with some real world examples, go to this article.

✅ Trusted, Privacy-Focused VPN Providers

If you want real protection, look for a VPN that:

• Has a strict no-logs policy (independently audited)

• Uses strong encryption standards

• Has transparent privacy policies

• Operates under privacy-friendly jurisdictions

• Has a reputation for honesty and security

  
  

Here are a few well-regarded options (as of mid-2025):

• Mullvad VPN

• ProtonVPN

• IVPN

• Mozilla VPN

• NordVPN

• SurfShark VPN

⚠️ What About ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN?

These two are large names — and they’re generally better than free options. But they’re also owned by the same company - Kape Technologies a, now, cybersecurity firm with a murky past of creating tool, that lead to distribution of malware, which makes some privacy advocates cautious.

It’s better to pay a few dollars a month for real privacy, than to get fake protection that sells you out.

🧾 Final Thoughts: Is a VPN Worth It?

You don’t need to be paranoid to care about privacy.

Every time you go online, pieces of your identity are exposed — to your internet provider, advertisers, data brokers, and even hackers if you're on public Wi-Fi. A VPN won’t solve every problem, but it’s one of the simplest tools to take back a bit of control.

It hides your IP, shields your activity, and gives you a more private, more open internet.

So if you no longer want to be watched, tracked, and profiled — maybe it's time to vanish a little.