Let’s be honest: VPNs are everywhere. Every tech video seems to scream about how you need one; whether for privacy, unblocking content, or securing public Wi-Fi. But peel back the shiny marketing layers and you’ll find a different story: a flood of misinformation, half-truths, and corporate puppetry.
This article isn’t sponsored. No affiliate links, no discount codes, no shady referral tracking. Just facts, o you can decide if VPNs are really worth your trust.
What a VPN Actually Does (And What It Doesn’t)
Think of the internet as a giant airport. Every site you visit is a flight you’re boarding, and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is the TSA; they check your ID, know your destination, and keep records.
In the early days of the web (pre-HTTPS), they could see everything: your emails, credit card numbers, even your passwords. But today, thanks to HTTPS (that little lock icon in your browser), your connection to most websites is encrypted by default—even on public Wi-Fi.
So where does a VPN fit in?
The Real Purpose of a VPN:
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. Once connected:
- Your ISP can’t see the websites you visit.
- Websites think you’re accessing from the VPN server’s location.
- Your IP address is masked.
What VPNs Are Actually Useful For:
- Bypassing government censorship (especially in countries like China or Iran)
- Unlocking geo-blocked content (e.g., BBC iPlayer or Netflix UK)
- Preventing ISP tracking and throttling
But Here’s the Catch:
While VPNs block your ISP from spying on you, they shift that trust to the VPN provider. And here’s where the cracks start to show.
Why Are VPNs Marketed So Aggressively? Follow the Money.
The VPN industry is booming—valued at $45 billion in 2022 and projected to hit a staggering $350 billion by 2030. With this kind of cash on the table, privacy often takes a backseat to profit.
Ever wonder why so many top YouTubers hype the same VPNs? Let’s take a look.
The Illusion of Independent Reviews
Major review sites forVPNs like VPNPro and CyberNews are owned by Mediatech, whose investors include the founders of Nord Security—the makers of NordVPN and Surfshark.
That means:
- The reviewer owns the product.
- Competing services are actually siblings under the same parent.
- The “honest comparison” videos? Often just extended ads.
Two VPNs that always come high rated in these reviews are CyberGhost and ExpressVPN. Both are part of Kape Technologies, a company with a controversial past (more on that soon).
Bottom line: when almost every “competing” VPN is controlled by the same few entities, the market starts to feel more like a monopoly than a marketplace.
The Dark Side of VPNs: What You’re Not Supposed to Know
Many VPNs are far from trustworthy. In fact, some of them have downright sketchy histories.
🔴 Kape Technologies
Formerly known as Crossrider, a company linked to adware and browser hijackers. Now owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access.
Would you trust your data with a rebranded malware distributor?
🔴 Hotspot Shield
Reported to the FTC in 2017 for logging user data and injecting ads—despite claiming a strict no-logs policy.
🔴 Betternet
Free and popular—but flagged in academic studies for containing over 14 tracking libraries. Also linked to malware behavior.
🔴 Facebook’s Onavo VPN
Marketed as a privacy tool, Onavo secretly fed usage data to Facebook. They even paid teenagers with gift cards to install it.
It was so invasive, Apple and Google eventually banned it. Thank God this one if no longer on the market.
Even NordVPN Had a Breach
In 2018, a third-party server Nord used was compromised. Worse still, they disclosed it late, only after security researchers went public.
But regardless of the VPN you have chosen, here is one fact that will bind them all. Even with the best marketing, no provider is immune from failure or pressure from governments. Under legal compulsion, many are required to start logging—even if they didn’t before.
Can You Trust Any VPN?
Short answer: only if you trust their leadership, legal jurisdiction, and business model.
Here’s a shortlist of VPNs that stand out for the right reasons.
✅ Proton VPN
- Based in Switzerland (great privacy laws)
- Open-source and independently audited
- No sketchy ownership or shady practices
- Accepts crypto and cash for anonymous subscriptions
- Has one of the only trustworthy free tiers
They’ve also architected their systems to ensure they have nothing to hand over, even under legal orders.
✅ Mullvad VPN
- Based in Sweden
- Doesn’t even require an email to sign up
- Allows anonymous payments
- Has built a strong reputation for transparency
✅ IVPN
- Gibraltar-based (a decent privacy jurisdiction)
- Transparent policies
- Strong focus on open-source and user trust
Do You Even Need a VPN? The Honest Answer
If your main concern is general web browsing, you probably don’t need a VPN. HTTPS already encrypts traffic between your browser and websites.
You’re far more likely to be tracked through:
- Google accounts
- Facebook and social apps
- Smart TVs and IoT devices
- Free apps leaking your data
What VPNs Can Help With:
- Watching geo-restricted content
- Preventing ISP throttling
- Hiding your IP from websites
What VPNs Can’t Do:
- Block tracking cookies or fingerprinting
- Encrypt apps outside the tunnel
- Make you truly anonymous
- Fix bad security habits
And if your VPN is shady? You’re worse off than if you had none at all.
Final Advice: Use VPNs Wisely; Or Not At All
I’ve tested VPNs for years. Here’s what I recommend:
- ❌ Avoid free VPNs, unless it’s Proton’s free tier or a Mullvad trial
- ❌ Ignore influencer hype—most reviews are just ads
- ✅ Read the fine print—especially privacy policies and jurisdiction
- ✅ Prefer open-source, audited VPNs
- ✅ Remember: a VPN is not a privacy cure-all
You should be more concerned about using better tools for real privacy:
- Use privacy-first browsers like Brave (check out our browser privacy tier list)
- Install uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger
- Turn off location sharing, review app permissions, and stop using your real email for every service
A VPN can be helpful, but only if you understand its limitations and choose wisely.
