VPN use is not always a good idea. Learn why here.

200 Points
VPNs can be useful in some cases. However, they are unsuitable for certain applications. You should therefore look into the possibilities and risks before using them.

When can I tick off this task?

You can check off this task if one of the following points applies

  1. you use the TOR network instead of VPNs
  2. you use free VPNs
  3. you have informed yourself about the risks of VPNs

More information and details

VPNs can help you protect your security on non-secure or public networks. They can help you bypass censorship and geoblocking. They hide which websites you visit from your provider. They also hide your IP and therefore your rough location from the target site.

However, they do not automatically protect you from hacking, identity theft or data leaks. They also do not automatically make you anonymous and do not prevent social networks from collecting your data.

Remember that you have to trust VPN providers. You pay them, so they know your identity. Many VPN services cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and will not hesitate to hand over your data.

There is also a well-founded concern that VPN traffic may be subject to special surveillance by intelligence agencies precisely because of the obfuscated location.

If you can, use the Tor network or free VPNs instead, such as RiseupVPN, which do not collect any data about you.

Sources and further links

  1. VPN use may cue government surveillance, freedom.press, (en), 2026-04-01
  2. Choosing the VPN That's Right for You, eff.org, (en), 2025-02-24
  3. Do you really need a VPN?, kuketz-blog, (de), 2023-04-18
  4. RiseupVPN, riseup.net, (en)