A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a type of software that runs in the background while you’re using the Internet. It establishes an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, hiding your physical location from the websites and applications you visit. This allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and other types of internet censorship, and it also prevents third parties from seeing your browsing activity or intercepting your data on hostile networks.
We’ve been testing and reviewing VPN services since 2016. We also publish VPN research and advice to help protect your internet privacy and security.