The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
If you’re one of the many Americans worried about your digital privacy , from location tracking on your phone and social media apps to tailored ads using your personal information , you might have heard about virtual private networks (VPNs) as a way to protect yourself online. But do you really need one, if you don’t think you’re doing anything risky online? Digital privacy experts say yes.
Even the average person can benefit from having a VPN, according to digital privacy experts.
“A VPN ( virtual private network ) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, routing your internet traffic through that server before reaching sites you visit,” Henry Fisher , founder of Techlore and a digital rights activist, told HuffPost. “The goal of this is to hide your real IP address from websites, making it appear as though you’re browsing from the VPN server’s location rather than your actual location.”
But why is this necessary? It “makes it hard for someone to track your activity (hackers, ISPs [Internet service providers]). It is very useful when someone is using public WiFi,” said Rahul Telang , a professor of information systems at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College . He added, “It also allows for overcoming [location-based] restrictions because the IP address is masked.”
This is one perk you might have heard about — you can use a VPN to stream shows , movies, sports events and more that you might be region-locked for otherwise (assuming it doesn’t violate the streaming service’s terms of service).
But there are benefits beyond watching geo-restricted content, even if you think there’s nothing remarkable about your internet usage. “Privacy and lack of a traffic history associated with your IP are the biggest benefits of using a VPN,” said Wes Anderson , founder and president of Reveille Advisors , a private intelligence and communications firm that offers online privacy services .
Think about all the information you share online: your home address, your credit card information, your medical records. Now imagine that information in the hands of people who want to target you: corporations with advertisements, or hackers with criminal activity. “Whether you work for a cutting-edge hedge fund or are simply a stay-at-home parent, there’s a lot of value in maintaining your privacy,” Anderson said. “It gives you back some of your innate autonomy and can be a practical tool.”
A VPN can’t solve all of your digital privacy problems, so be aware of marketing that implies otherwise.
You should still be vigilant about your Internet activity, VPN or not. “By far the biggest misconception is that VPNs provide anonymity,” Fisher said. “They often can do nothing to guarantee this. Websites can still track you through cookies, browser fingerprinting, and account logins. VPNs also don’t offer much protection against malware, phishing, or data breaches for the services you use. They’re one privacy tool, not a comprehensive security solution.”
Telang agrees. “If a user clicks on a [malicious] link, the negative consequences cannot be avoided.”
Fisher added, “Another frustrating misconception is the ‘military-grade encryption’ marketing, as this just refers to standard encryption protocols used everywhere.” He said, “I generally caution people away from heavily-marketed VPNs that make exaggerated claims about security or anonymity without being honest about where they fall short.”
With that in mind, you may be wondering which VPN you should use. While Fisher said that “each provider can offer different features and speeds that speak to different people,” both he and Anderson named Proton VPN among their recommendations.
“We have no affiliation with them or incentive to recommend them, but Proton is our baby,” Anderson said. “We have a paid plan for all team members, and it’s fantastic.”
Fisher called Proton VPN a “solid choice” for its principles of transparency and honest marketing, while also having a privacy approach that “push[es] the limits of how private a VPN can really be.” And right now, you can get one year of their VPN Plus plan on sale for just $3 a month . That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
What makes Proton VPN worth a look? First, Proton is based in Geneva, Switzerland . This means it must follow European Union privacy laws, which are generally considered to be more comprehensive than privacy laws in the United States. Anderson advised avoiding VPNs based in the Five Eyes nations (the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). “They are notorious for pressuring companies to reveal customer/user data and activity,” he said.
Proton VPN also has a no-log policy , so your traffic history is not stored, strong encryption and a kill switch that blocks external network traffic if your connection to the VPN server is interrupted. The kill switch currently works with Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS and iPadOS, with an additional advanced kill switch for Linux and Windows.
This is in addition to some other handy features Proton VPN offers, such as a DNS adblocker that can increase your browsing speed by filtering out pesky ads on websites you visit.
Proton’s VPN Plus also lets you protect 10 devices at once, which is important for what Anderson calls a “24/7 use pattern” for protection.
If you thought you’d only need a VPN on your main computer, or on your phone when you’re traveling or using public WiFi, think again. Fisher said, “If you’re looking to use a VPN for privacy, they should be used across all your devices for at minimum your most sensitive web traffic — the more the better. The ‘only when traveling’ approach might make sense for geographic restrictions, but not for privacy, as you probably want privacy protections utilized regardless of your physical location.”
You can try Proton’s free VPN plan, but it only allows you to secure one device at a time (consider how often you use your cell phone versus a laptop, tablet or desktop; you’ll likely want that extra protection). If you’re hoping to protect the whole family at once, Proton VPN also offers family plans for up to six users, so everyone can look after their digital privacy.
A free VPN is better than nothing, but experts say it’s worth the money to pay for a better service.
“A reputable VPN costs money,” Telang said. “Many people use free VPNs that have their limitations regarding connection drops, privacy, hidden costs and so on.”
Anderson echoed this sentiment. “The challenge with free VPNs is that they commonly get overrun by other free users, so the servers can get congested.” He added that you can be “inundated with ads” when using a free service, “but Proton’s free option does not do that.”
Still, he said, “If you can, paid plans are very reasonable on nearly all platforms and run anywhere from $50 to $150 annually for all your devices and likely other family members or team members.”
Digital privacy matters can be confusing for those who aren’t tech-obsessed, but for just $4 a month, we think it’s more than worth it protect your data online, from your online shopping habits to more sensitive information like your medical records. Check out Proton VPN below, and get ready to take an affordable and expert-recommended step toward keeping yourself safe.
Protect your privacy with these screen protectors from previous reporting by former HuffPost shopping writer Haley Zovickian :
Amazon
A tempered glass screen protector for Android smartphones
This highly-rated option
offers versions to fit multiple Samsung Galaxy phones (A12-A17 and S24, S24 Plus, S25 Edge and S24 Ultra). It comes in a pack of two.
Promising review: "This glass protection and privacy screen are perfect. I work in health careand privacy is very important. The screen works really well standing strongafter I drop it. I have tremors in my hands so I drop my phone regularly. It also is a great pricesince I have two other screens I can use and not wait for another to arrive. Really great screen." — kelsey esler
Amazon
Another popular version for iPhones
This Ailun tempered glass protector
boasts over 112,000 5-star ratings with sizes for iPhones 7-17, with Plus, Pro, Pro Max and Mini sizes also available depending on the model. It comes in a pack of three and also includes three protectors for your camera lenses.
Promising review: "Honestly I’m too lazy to ever write reviews BUT I keep coming back to buy this product and let me tell you it doesn’t disappoint.I’ve dropped my phone at sporting events, down flights of stairs, theme parks, and once even took a nasty fall where me and my phone both bounced off the pavement. I was fine but thought my phone was a goner. These protector screens saved my phone. There wasn’t even a scratch on my phone. The protectors were scratched and cracked but my phone was in perfect condition. This product is like insurance for your phoneand even better it’s at such a great low price. If you’re clumsy like me don’t even hesitate and just buy it! I’ve put everyone I know onto these and everyone is very pleased. I like the added privacy of the screen protector as well because people are always nosey.Would 100000% 10/10 recommend this!" — Dominique Marotta
Amazon
A 3-pack for iPhones with 73,000 5-star ratings
This option
from popular tech accessory brand ESR comes with an application kit to make adhering your privacy screen as easy as possible. The screens promise to withstand up to 33 pounds of force (!) to help defend against drops and other accidents. They're available in sizes for iPhones 12-17 and iPhone Air, and in multiple multi-packs.
Promising review: "I recently purchased this cell phone privacy screen protector, and it's been a game-changer! The installation was a breeze, and now I can use my phone with confidence, knowing that my sensitive information is shielded from prying eyes. The clarity of the screen remains excellent, and the added bonus of privacy makes it a must-have accessory for anyone concerned about protecting their digital privacy. Highly recommended!" — Andrea
Target
An anti-spy screen protector with a one-year warranty
This Entronix protector has options for both Android and iPhone (check out their other screen protectors available at Target to see which one fits your phone model). It's slim, offers a clear view that darkens at a 28-degree or wider angle, and is shock-absorbing, anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant. It also comes with a one-year warranty for peace of mind.
Galaxy: $15 at Target (regularly $25)
iPhone: $14 at Target (regularly $18)
Walmart
A super-durable option that's scratch- and drop-resistant
Of course, in addition to privacy, you want a screen protector to be able to, well, protect your physical device. Made with durable Corning glass, this option from Walmart can handle scratches, drops and more without damage. It's less than half a millimeter thin and comes with everything you need for easy, bubble-free application.
Promising review:"It's great. Most privacy screen protectors aren't 100% blacked out from the side but this one is." — Lexi
Amazon
A 2-pack of military-grade shatterproof protectors with a narrow privacy angle
This tempered glass two-pack has a 25-degree privacy angle, protecting your screen from nosy people sitting next to you. This option is pricier than others on the list, but it's designed to look basically invisible when put on your screen, and also offers durability benefits, with the brand claiming it can survive a 12-foot drop without shattering. As one review put it, " you get what you pay for ." You can find this in iPhone models 13 to 17 Pro Max.
Promising review: "This is probably the first brand of screen protector that didn’t crack even when the phone was dropped on a marble floor multiple times a day. It seemed very fingerprint resistant and I don’t even recall ever having to clean it off. It did not distort the visibility of the screen whatsoever and the size is precise. I prefer this over others as well because it does not have the dark black coating that makes it challenging to see the screen. All in all it serves its purpose well and is high quality." — JFC3
