Online privacy has never mattered more. A VPN can protect your data, shield your location, and give you greater freedom online — whether you’re on public Wi-Fi, streaming abroad, or working remotely. Explore essential articles to understand how VPNs work, when to use them, and how Norton VPN keeps you more secure.
A VPN (virtual private network) keeps your online activity private, secure, and harder to trace. By encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address, it helps protect your data from hackers, advertisers, and snoops — letting you go online on your terms.
Encrypts your data
A VPN tunnels all the information you send and receive online through a powerful layer of encryption. This means that even if someone intercepts your traffic — such as on an unsecured public Wi-Fi network — they can’t read it, helping to protect sensitive data like logins, banking details, and private messages.
Hides your IP address
Your IP address can reveal your general location and can be used to track your browsing activity. A VPN replaces your real IP with a virtual address from its own secure servers, making it harder for websites, advertisers, or cybercriminals to identify or follow you online.
Shields your online activity
Many websites and apps collect detailed information about what you do online, building profiles for advertising or resale. By masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic, VPNs make it far harder for advertisers, data brokers, or even your internet provider to monitor your browsing habits.
Bypasses geo-restrictions
Some websites, streaming services, or apps restrict content based on location. By routing your traffic through servers in other countries, a VPN lets you change your location and access content as if you were browsing from that region — without exposing your real location.
You should always use a VPN whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi, shop or bank online, or want more privacy from advertisers and trackers. But to enjoy the full benefits of a VPN, it’s best to keep it running whenever you’re online. Then, switch locations to browse like a local anywhere, and practice smart browsing habits to keep your data locked down.
Protect your connection and privacy anywhere with Norton VPN — fast, secure, and free to try.
Not all VPNs offer the same level of protection. The right choice keeps your data private, your browsing secure, and your experience smooth — without selling your information or slowing you down. Use this checklist to make sure your VPN has all the essential features for real privacy and reliability.
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