VPN Privacy Guide — What a VPN Can and Cannot Protect

What a VPN Protects

• Your IP address from websites and services you visit
• Your browsing activity from your ISP
• Your data on public Wi-Fi networks
• Your location from geo-restricted services

What a VPN Does NOT Protect

• Browser fingerprinting — Websites can still identify you through browser configuration details
• Cookies and tracking — Logged-in accounts and tracking cookies continue to function
• Malware and phishing — A VPN is not antivirus software
• Metadata — Your VPN provider (if they log) could see connection timestamps and data volumes
• Government surveillance — Intelligence agencies have capabilities that can defeat consumer VPNs

Additional Privacy Measures

• Use a privacy-focused browser like Firefox with tracking protection enabled
• Install uBlock Origin for ad and tracker blocking
• Use a search engine that doesn’t track you (DuckDuckGo, Startpage)
• Consider a dedicated email service with privacy protections
• Enable HTTPS-only mode in your browser settings

The Three-Layer Approach

For maximum privacy, combine:

1. A no-logs VPN — Protects your IP and encrypts traffic to your VPN provider
2. A privacy browser — Prevents fingerprinting and blocks trackers
3. Good digital hygiene — Use unique passwords, enable 2FA, avoid oversharing personal data online