Internet Connection

A VPN creates a private tunnel for your internet traffic. Without one, your browsing is like a postcard — anyone handling it can read it.

What a VPN does:

• Encrypts your internet traffic
• Hides your real location from websites
• Stops your ISP from seeing what you browse
• Protects you on public WiFi

Do you need one?

If you use public WiFi, care about ISP tracking, or want extra privacy — yes.

See: VPN recommendations

Yes. Your ISP sees a lot.

What they see:

• Every website you visit (even in incognito)
• When you’re online
• Which apps and services you use

What they can’t see:

With HTTPS, they know you visited a site but not what you did there.

Why it matters:

In many countries, ISPs can sell browsing data. They keep logs that can be handed to authorities or leaked.

Solution:

A VPN encrypts everything. Your ISP sees you’re using a VPN, nothing else.

See: VPN services

It can be. Free WiFi at coffee shops and airports comes with real risks.

Common attacks:

• Evil twin — Fake network with real-looking name
• Man-in-the-middle — Intercepting your traffic
• Packet sniffing — Capturing unencrypted data

What’s at risk:

• Login credentials
• Financial info
• Personal data

How to stay safe:

• Use a VPN (encrypts everything)
• Verify network names with staff
• Avoid banking without VPN
• Use phone hotspot instead
• Forget the network when done

See: VPN recommendations

DNS translates website names into numbers computers understand. By default, it leaks information about everywhere you go online.

The problem:

DNS requests go through your ISP — unencrypted. They see every site you try to visit.

Risks:

• ISP logs all your DNS requests
• Governments can block sites via DNS
• Hackers can redirect you to fake sites

The fix:

Encrypted DNS (DoH or DoT) hides what you’re looking up.

Most VPNs and privacy browsers handle this automatically. You can also change device settings to use encrypted DNS providers.

See: DNS recommendations

Tor is a browser that routes your traffic through multiple servers worldwide, making you very hard to track.

How it’s different from a VPN:

• VPN: One company sees your traffic
• Tor: Traffic bounces through multiple random servers, no single point sees everything

When to use Tor:

• Maximum anonymity needed
• Bypassing censorship
• Accessing .onion sites
• When VPN isn’t enough

Downsides:

• Much slower than normal browsing
• Some websites block Tor
• Not for everyday use

When NOT to use:

• Logging into personal accounts (defeats the purpose)
• Streaming video (too slow)
• Daily browsing (unnecessary)

For most people, a VPN is enough. Tor is for when you need serious anonymity.

See: Privacy browsers