Need to connect to your company server? Get around an IP block (for ethical reasons, of course)? Or even just make sure the connection you're browsing on keeps your data safe?
For each of these cases, and many more, a VPN is the technology you need.
If you’ve heard of it and would like to learn more about what a VPN is in simple terms, or even if you already know about it, you might find it helpful to read this complete guide to VPNs (updated 2025).

Let's start! 

How a VPN works

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the user's device and a remote server, hiding the real IP address and encrypting the data transmitted. This process occurs through various technologies and protocols, including:

• openvpn: an open-source solution known for its reliability and security.
• wire guard: a newer, lighter and more performing protocol.
• IPsec/L2TP: often used for business connectivity.
• IKEv2: particularly effective on mobile devices thanks to the ability to maintain stable connections.

With these protocols, VPNs prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), hackers, and governments from monitoring users' online activity.

Why You Should Use a VPN

Using a VPN offers numerous benefits, ranging from privacy protection to freedom of access to content. Here are some of the main reasons to adopt it:

1. Improved privacy and anonymity

A VPN hides your IP address, making it difficult for third parties to track your online activity. This helps prevent aggressive ad tracking and personal data collection.

2. Protection on public Wi-Fi networks

Free Wi-Fi networks available in airports, hotels and cafes are often insecure and vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, with the main goal of stealing credentials, sensitive information or inserting malicious data into the communication. A VPN encrypts the data, preventing malicious people from intercepting it.

3. Access to geo-restricted content

Many streaming services, websites, and social media platforms restrict access to certain content based on geographic location. By connecting to a VPN server located in another country, you can bypass these restrictions and freely access the content you want.

4. Avoid online censorship

In some countries, the internet is subject to government censorship. A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions, granting access to information and services that would otherwise be blocked.

5. Greater security for financial transactions

When making online payments or accessing banking services, a VPN adds an extra layer of protection against fraud and cyber attacks.

Practical use cases

Now that we are done with the theoretical part, it is time to list all the use cases for which VPN has become such a requested and used service.

1. Secure remote access to company resources

One of the main uses, especially in the professional field, is remote access to a company server. Imagine a company with employees spread across different parts of the world, or with staff working from home. It is essential that these workers can access files, management software, databases or internal platforms without putting the company's sensitive data at risk.

The VPN in this case acts as an encrypted bridge between the employee's device and the company infrastructure. Home workers can then connect to internal systems as if he were physically in the office, without exposing themselves to the risk of interception or unauthorized access. This is particularly important for sectors such as healthcare, finance or public administration, where data must be protected with the highest level of security.

2. Work safely on public networks

Another extremely widespread use of VPN is the secure connection on public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in bars, hotels or airports. These networks are often not encrypted, and are a real paradise for hackers and malicious people. Anyone can “sniff” the data that passes over an unprotected network.

By activating the VPN before connecting to the Internet through these networks, a secure and encrypted tunnel is created, making the exchanged data invisible and unusable, even if someone were to intercept them. This is a recommended practice not only for professionals, but also for those who use the computer for simple navigation, access to email or home banking.

3. Accessing geo-restricted content

Many online services apply geographic blocks to their content. Streaming platforms, for example, offer different catalogs depending on the country from which you connect. The same goes for some news sites, digital stores or e-learning platforms.

Thanks to the VPN, it is possible to “change” your virtual location, choosing to go out on the internet from another country. Obviously, it is always good to respect the terms and conditions of the services offered online, without abusing the VPN.

4. Avoid censorship and access the internet freely

In some countries, access to certain sites or services is blocked by the authorities. VPN allows journalists, activists, students or ordinary citizens to get past these filters, connecting to the internet as if they were somewhere else.

5. Protect your online business 

Many users use VPN for avoid tracking by websites, providers and advertising platforms. VPNs, in fact, hide the user's real IP address, making it more difficult to monitor online activities.

This not only increases privacy, but can also reduce the phenomenon of “dynamic pricing”, which is the practice whereby hotel, flight or product prices vary based on location or user behavior. By connecting from another geographic area via VPN, you can compare rates and, in some cases, find better deals.

6. Conduct tests from different regions

A very useful professional use of VPN for web developers, marketers and SEO specialists is the Simulate access to your sites from different countries. This allows you to see how a site loads, which versions are displayed, and if there are any errors related to geolocation.

Even for those working in digital advertising, it is important to be able to test campaigns as if they were in another country, to understand how they appear to target users. 

Limitations and considerations

While a VPN offers many benefits, it also has some limitations that you should be aware of:

• Encryption and traffic redirection can slow down your browsing speed, especially with distant servers.
• Not all VPNs are created equal. Some services may log your browsing data, reducing the level of privacy you get.
• Some platforms, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, can detect and block VPN connections, preventing access to content.

How to choose the right VPN

Choosing a VPN depends on your specific needs. Here are some key factors to consider:

• No-log policy: A good provider should not log browsing data.
• Number and location of serversThe more servers you have available, the better the performance and geographic access options will be.
• Speed ​​and stability: A high-performance VPN shouldn't impact your connection speed too much.
• Device Compatibility: Make sure the service supports all the operating systems you use (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android).
• Customer service: Good support can be crucial in case of technical problems.

Can I trust a free VPN?

It is essential to answer this question with an observation: there are no free services. When you are not paying for a service, it means that the service is you. In essence, it is better to be wary of free VPNs, because they do not use the same resources as a paid VPN, so they could give you much worse results.
But above all, because nothing guarantees you that they will not use your data as a bargaining chip for the use of the service.

Having doubts? Want to know how to secure a VPN that works for you or your remote workers? Contact us, and we will help you choose the perfect service for your case!