Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (2024)

Cyber Security, Cybersecurity, Data Security, News, Ransomware

  • 25 March 2024

Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (1)

Written by Heloise Montini

Edited by Laura Pompeu

Approved by Bogdan Glushko

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, acts like a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. It encrypts your data, scrambling it so hackers can’t see what information you’re sending and receiving. This encryption makes it extremely difficult for hackers to steal your personal information or infect your device with malware.

So, does a VPN protect you from hackers?

Yes, VPNs protect users from hackers. They hide users’ real IP addresses, making it challenging for hackers to target them, and they can prevent various types of cyber attacks, includingDDoS attacks, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, malware infections, session hijacking, and phishing attempts.

Can you be hacked while using a VPN?

Technically, yes, you can be hacked while using a VPN, but it’s much less likely. A good VPN encrypts your data, making it very difficult to steal.

However, VPNs have limitations, such as their inability to protect against malware and phishing attacks that have already compromised a device and human errors.

Pro tip: While VPNs provide significant protection against hackers, users should also employ additional cybersecurity measures for comprehensive security.

How can a VPN help to prevent hackers from accessing your data?

VPNs offer encryption and other security features that make it difficult for hackers to intercept or access users’ data. This is because a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that creates an encrypted connection over the internet between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN service provider.

Here are the main ways that a VPN can protect your data:

Data encryption

VPNs encrypt your data, ensuring that even if hackers manage to intercept your data, they won’t be able to decipher it without the encryption key.

Does VPN protect against man-in-the-middle attacks?

Yes, VPN can protect against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Thanks to the encryption it can prevent attacks and allows you to use public WI-FI securely.

IP address masking

VPNs hide your real IP address and assign you a different IP address from their server. This makes it difficult for hackers to determine your location or target your specific device.

Hiding your real IP address also makes it difficult for hackers to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against your device or network.

Ad blockers and additional security features

Some VPN providers offer ad blockers and other security features that can help prevent malware infections and phishing attempts, further enhancing your protection against hackers.

What are the limitations of a VPN?

While VPNs are useful privacy tools, they should be combined with other security practices like keeping software updated, using antivirus, and enabling two-factor authentication where possible.
Here are the main cyber security threats that VPNs are too limited to provide any significant protection:

Inability to prevent malware

VPNs primarily focus on encrypting data and hiding IP addresses, but they do not provide comprehensive protection against malware.

While some VPNs may include basic ad blockers or malware protection features, they are not as robust as dedicated antivirus software.

Vulnerability to phishing attacks

VPNs may block access to known malicious websites, but they cannot prevent users from falling victim to phishing attacks and providing personal information to fraudulent sites or emails. Your internet traffic will be encrypted, but it does not prevent malware or viruses from infecting your device if you accidentally download them or visit malicious websites.

Dependence on human behavior

VPNs rely on users to enable and configure them correctly. If users forget to activate their VPN or inadvertently disable it, they may expose themselves to cyber threats.

Additionally, human error, such as using weak passwords or falling for social engineering tactics, can undermine the effectiveness of VPN protection.

Pro tip: If you do fall victim of a hacker attack, you can contact Proven Data experts for malware and ransomware removal and to restore any lost or corrupted data.

Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (5)

Heloise Montini

Writer

Heloise Montini is a content writer who leverages her journalism background and interests in PC gaming and creative writing to make complex topics relatable. Since 2020, she has been researching and writing insightful tech articles on data recovery, storage, and cybersecurity.

Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (6)

Laura Pompeu​

Editor

Laura Pompeu is a content editor and strategy leader at Proven Data, bringing over 10 years of digital media experience. Leveraging her background in journalism, SEO, and marketing, Laura shapes cybersecurity and technology content to be insightful yet accessible.

Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (7)

Bogdan Glushko

Administrator

As CEO of Proven Data, Bogdan lends 20 years of data recovery expertise as an editorial advisor. His real-world experience restoring systems for thousands guides Proven Data’s educational articles with insider insights on ransomware response, resilient data strategies, and evolving cyber threats.

Read more

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Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024) (2024)

FAQs

Does A VPN Protect From Hackers? Experts Answer (2024)? ›

Technically, yes, you can be hacked while using a VPN, but it's much less likely. A good VPN encrypts your data, making it very difficult to steal. However, VPNs have limitations, such as their inability to protect against malware and phishing attacks that have already compromised a device and human errors.

Do VPNs actually protect you from hackers? ›

VPN encryption is one of the most effective defenses against hackers because encrypted traffic is more difficult to intercept. While all VPNs encrypt your traffic, not all offer the same level of encryption.

What does using a VPN not protect you from? ›

VPNs are not designed to protect your device from malware, viruses or other cyber threats. They secure your data transmission and mask your online identity, but they don't have the ability to scan or block malicious software. Therefore, it's essential to use additional security measures alongside a VPN.

Do VPNs actually make you safer? ›

While a VPN can't guarantee absolute security, it's the go-to method for safeguarding your private data. It can also offer you strong protection against third-party tracking, government censorship, and cybercrime.

Will a VPN stop spam emails? ›

By using a VPN spam filter, users can significantly reduce the amount of spam they receive, as well as minimize the risks associated with opening suspicious emails. Spam emails often contain malware or phishing attempts, which can compromise sensitive information or infect the user's device.

Does a VPN protect your bank account? ›

In most cases, the answer is yes. Online banking websites and apps come with encryption and security protocols in place. However, if you're using online banking without a VPN, we would recommend that you avoid using public Wi-Fi.

Can you still be spied on with a VPN? ›

Yes. Can an IP address be traced then? Certainly, when a VPN disconnects, your data is no longer encrypted, and your real IP address is exposed.

Is there a downside to always using a VPN? ›

One of the primary concerns when using VPNs is the potential decrease in internet speed. Encrypting data and routing it through remote servers can introduce latency, resulting in slower connections.

When shouldn't I use VPN? ›

8 reasons you may not want to use a VPN
  1. Using VPN is illegal in many countries. ...
  2. Performance issues while using the private network. ...
  3. VPN service might use your data and monitor your activity. ...
  4. VPN service may be difficult to set up for business users. ...
  5. It might add more cost to your network connection.
Feb 1, 2021

What does a VPN not hide? ›

Though using a VPN hides your search history from your ISP and third parties, it doesn't hide it from the websites you visit. Search engines like Google or Bing can still see, track, and log your search queries if you're logged in — even if you're using a VPN.

How risky is VPN? ›

Can you trust a VPN? Honestly, you can't. Even if a VPN says it provides bulletproof security, even if it says there is no record at all, you can never be sure. After all, data is being sent through a third party, so it can be compromised, because we don't know how data is actually processed.

What is the safest VPN to use? ›

The best secure VPN services in 2024
  1. NordVPN. The best all-in-one security suite. ...
  2. ExpressVPN. An audited no-logs policy and sleek apps. ...
  3. Private Internet Access (PIA) My top pick for Linux with a full stack of security tools. ...
  4. Proton VPN. A privacy-focused provider that you can try for free. ...
  5. Surfshark.
May 23, 2024

Is it safe to have VPN on all the time? ›

Yes, you should leave your VPN on all the time. VPNs offer the best online security, so keeping it on will protect you against data leaks and cyberattacks, especially while you're using public Wi-Fi. It can also safeguard against intrusive snoopers such as ISPs or advertisers. Always use a VPN when you go online.

What will VPN not protect you from? ›

While they will protect your IP and encrypt your internet history, but that is as much as they can do. They won't keep you safe, for instance, if you visit phishing websites or download compromised files. When you use a VPN, you are still at risk of: Trojans.

Will a VPN keep me from being hacked? ›

A virtual private network (VPN) can offer you extensive protection from hackers. It will hide your real IP address while securing your online activity with high-level encryption. When you conceal what you're doing and where you're doing it from, it's much harder for hackers to intercept your valuable data.

Does Gmail block VPN? ›

Whenever you try to log into your Gmail account from a different IP then your usual one, the attempt will be blocked because it will be considered as a suspicious login try.

Does a VPN really hide your identity? ›

Does a VPN make me anonymous? No, a VPN cannot make you anonymous. They help secure what you're doing, but your ISP still knows when you're using the internet. They just can't see what you're doing, what sites you visit, or how long you've been on a site.

Does a VPN protect you from being tracked? ›

VPNs are useful for many things, and when used properly, can protect you from being tracked in several ways: Websites can't track you using your real IP address. Your internet service provider (ISP) can't track what you do on the internet. Your government can't track what you do on the internet via your ISP.

When should a VPN not be used? ›

When should you turn off your VPN?
  1. Speeding up the internet. Internet speed is of the utmost importance in certain situations (e.g., when gaming or downloading massive files). ...
  2. Using online banking. ...
  3. Connecting to a secure hotspot. ...
  4. Accessing specific websites. ...
  5. Avoiding software conflicts.
Dec 27, 2023

Is VPN foolproof? ›

That said, it's important to note that a VPN doesn't completely protect you from things like phishing attacks or malware downloads. Nor will VPNs protect you from having your information revealed if a company with your data has a breach.

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