For mobile devices, the situation is a little thornier. Most companies offer VPN apps for Android and iPhones, which is great because
we use these devices to connect to Wi-Fi all the time. VPNs don't
always play nice with cellular connections, but it takes some serious
effort to intercept cellphone data. That being said, law enforcement or
intelligence agencies may have an easier time gaining access to this
data, or metadata, through connections with mobile carriers or by using
specialized equipment.
Do you use a less common OS? That won't necessarily protect you online. People spying on network traffic don't care what kind of
computer it's coming from. Accordingly, we offer a roundup of the best VPNs
for Linux as well as tips for how set up a VPN on your Chromebook.
Note that you can skip client apps altogether and connect to the VPN service simply using your computer's network control panel. In some
situations, this is the only way to use a VPN, but it comes with major
drawbacks. For one thing, it's tedious. For another, client apps give
you access to more features. Since you're paying for the bells and
whistles VPN companies offer, you may as well be able to use them.
Unfortunately, not all devices can run VPN apps. Your smart fridge, for example, isn't a likely candidate for convenient app use. If this is
a concern for you, you can configure your router to use a VPN
connection, or purchase a pre-configured router from some VPN companies.
This encrypts data as it leaves your safe home network for the wild
web. Information sent within your network will be available, and any
smart devices connected to your network will enjoy a secured connection.
I haven't tested this kind of setup, but I've come to believe it's
impractical for most people. There are plenty of situations, which I
address below, where you'll have to switch off your VPN, and that's a
bit trickier on a router than on a computer or mobile device.
See How We Test VPNs
What a VPN Won't Do
We should note that there are multiple ways your behavior can be tracked online—even with a VPN, things like cookies allow companies to
track your internet usage even after you've left their sites.
Fortunately, we have a handy guide to pruning cookies on your browser.
VPNs also only do so much to anonymize your online activities. If you really want to browse the web anonymously, and access the Dark Web
to boot, you'll want to use Tor. Unlike a VPN, Tor bounces your traffic
through several server nodes, making it much harder to trace. It's also
managed by a non-profit organization and distributed for free. Some VPN
services will even connect to Tor via VPN, for additional security.
It's worth noting that most VPN services are not philanthropic organizations that operate for the public good. While many are involved
in progressive causes, they are all still for-profit organizations. That
means that they have their own bills to pay, and they have to respond
to subpoenas and warrants from law enforcement. They also have to abide
by the laws of the country in which they officially reside.
This is why it's so important to read the privacy policy for VPN services, and to find out where a VPN company is headquartered.
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