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Does a VPN protect you from hackers?

With cyber threats on the rise, protecting your online presence is more important than ever. Many people turn to VPNs for an additional layer of security, but are they really enough to keep hackers out? In this article, we'll explain how VPNs help protect you from cyberattacks and what kind of attacks they can help stop. We’ll also share what other security measures you can take to boost your online safety beyond just using a VPN.

2025年1月12日

阅读时间 20 分钟

women using protection from cyber threats

How does a VPN protect you from hackers?

The good news is that a VPN can help protect you against several types of cyberattacks. By increasing your security, a VPN makes it more difficult for hackers to target you. Let’s look at the specific functions of a VPN and how they boost your protection against hackers.

1. Encryption

A virtual private network secures your internet traffic by sending it through an encrypted VPN tunnel, which makes the data unreadable. 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. For the best protection, choose a VPN with the strongest encryption, such as AES-256 (also used by governments and military organizations).

2. Changing your IP address

Your IP address reveals a lot of information about you, and it could be used to launch cyberattacks. A virtual private network changes your IP address to that of a VPN, keeping your actual IP address secure as you browse the web. Without your IP, hackers can’t target you.

3. Secure protocols

You can often tell how secure a VPN is based on its protocols. Choose a VPN that uses secure, reliable protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. They’re known globally for their strong security and excellent speeds.

The WireGuard protocol comes in various forms. For example, NordVPN has developed its version of a WireGuard-based protocol, NordLynx. This protocol provides users with ultra-fast speeds while also delivering top-level security. Learn more about the best VPN protocols.

4. Kill Switch

Many VPN providers offer a kill switch — a feature that stops your traffic from being exposed if your VPN connection drops. Sometimes, a VPN connection may drop for a moment without you even noticing. When this situation happens, the kill switch feature protects your data from being exposed by temporarily suspending your internet connection.

5. No-logs policy

A key feature of many reliable VPNs is their no-logs policy. This feature means they don’t track or store your browsing activity, so even if hackers manage to breach the VPN, they don’t have access to any of your personal data. With no logs, your online activity remains protected, reducing the risk of any sensitive information being exposed.

6. Ad blocking

While VPNs typically don’t block ads, some VPN providers offer additional ad-blocking features. For example, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro™ blocks annoying ads, pop-ups, malicious sites, and intrusive web trackers to make you even safer online. This additional feature may protect you from accidentally landing on a compromised website or downloading malware from infected ads.

The most common cyberattacks a VPN may prevent

While a VPN cannot protect you from every online threat, it can help you avoid certain cyberattacks.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks involve hackers intercepting, viewing, or even tampering with your data while it’s in transit. However, with a good VPN on your device, your internet activity will be encrypted, meaning hackers won’t be able to view it — even if they intercept it.

DDoS attacks

A VPN may also help prevent distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which flood a network with artificially inflated traffic to overload servers and crash websites. A VPN changes your IP address, and without your IP, the attacker can’t target your network with a DDoS attack.

Remote hacking

Remote hacking is when hackers gain unauthorized access to a device or network from a distance. They may do so in many ways, including using your IP address. Because a VPN hides your IP address, it becomes very difficult for hackers to launch a remote attack on you.

Fake Wi-Fi hotspots

Hackers may set up fake hotspots disguised as Wi-Fi for legitimate businesses (e.g., cafes or train stations). When users connect to them, hackers can view their data as it passes through the network. Since a VPN encrypts your internet traffic before it leaves your device, hackers won’t be able to view any personal information even if you connect to a fake hotspot. Find out more about how a VPN protects you on public Wi-Fi.

Session hijacking

When you log in to an online platform, the website creates a session ID, allowing you to stay logged in for a while. While this ID is convenient, if a hacker gets hold of it, they may be able to sneak into your account. Since a VPN encrypts your online activity, it becomes very difficult for hackers to steal your session ID in the first place.

Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks occur when hackers inject malicious scripts into websites. These scripts can then execute on your browser and steal sensitive information like login credentials or personal data. While a VPN doesn’t directly block XSS attacks, it can help encrypt your traffic and make it more difficult for attackers to access your data as it travels between your device and the website.

Digital footprint leaks

Your digital footprint includes all the traces you leave behind while browsing the internet, such as cookies, IP addresses, and browsing history. These details can be used to track you or even launch personalized attacks. By changing your IP address and encrypting your online activity, a VPN helps minimize the chances of your digital footprint being exposed, reducing the risk of targeted attacks.

Which cyber threats can't be prevented by a VPN?

VPNs are extremely useful, but it’s important to understand their limitations. They can protect your internet traffic while it’s traveling from your device to the VPN server and back. They can’t, however, combat hackers if they have directly accessed your phone or are waiting on the destination side when your data arrives. Here’s what threats a VPN can’t protect you from.

Malware

Hackers may use malware and exploit kits — malicious programs that can give them access to your device. This software is typically downloaded directly onto a device when you accidentally click on a malicious ad or link. Once the malware is installed, a hacker can monitor your data directly — even if it’s encrypted.

Phishing

Phishing is another type of attack a VPN doesn’t typically prevent. Hackers may spam people with phishing emails, masquerading as legitimate businesses (e.g., banks) and coercing their victims into clicking on a link. Clicking the link automatically downloads malware or exposes their login credentials — and a VPN can’t do much to help unless you use advanced protection from phishing by NordVPN.

Human mistakes

Unfortunately, all the cybersecurity tools in the world can’t protect you from your own mistakes. If you accidentally click on malicious links or turn off your antivirus while browsing a high-risk site, not even the best VPN can protect you.

Insider threats

A VPN can’t protect you from insider threats, which occur when an individual with authorized access to your network or device (like an employee, contractor, or family member) compromises your data. These threats can happen intentionally, such as an employee stealing sensitive information, or unintentionally, like a family member clicking on a malicious link or exposing login credentials. Since VPNs only protect internet traffic, they can't defend against threats from within your organization or household.

Physical theft

If your device is physically stolen, a VPN cannot protect the data stored on it. While the VPN may shield your online activity, it cannot prevent someone from accessing your device directly and bypassing security measures. For better protection, ensure your device is secured with strong passwords and encryption to mitigate the risks of physical theft.

What else can protect you against hackers?

While a VPN can protect you against various cyber threats, just connecting to a VPN server is not enough. Here are several other important online security precautions to help protect you from hackers.

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication secures your accounts with two “factors” — your normal password and something else (e.g., a fingerprint scan or a one-time code). Make sure you set up 2FA on all your accounts for extra security.

2. Use a password manager

A strong password is a crucial step in protecting your online accounts. Password managers help you manage your passwords easily and securely. Choose a reliable password manager (like NordPass) to boost your account security.

3. Keep all your software updated

New software updates fix security flaws and protect against potential exploits. If the apps or the operating system on your phone or your laptop haven’t been updated for a while, you’re much more at risk from cyberattacks.

4. Use malware removal software

Make sure all your devices are equipped with reliable antimalware or antivirus software. Detecting, preventing, and removing malware infections (e.g., worms, viruses, and trojans) will become much easier.

5. Educate yourself about phishing tactics

Phishing is one of the most common ways hackers gain access to sensitive information. Familiarize yourself with the signs of phishing emails, messages, or websites, such as poor grammar, suspicious links, or urgent requests for personal information. Knowing how to spot a phishing attempt can prevent you from falling for these attacks.

6. Secure your router

Did you know you can configure a VPN on your router? Setting up a VPN on your router will protect every device that’s connected to it. Not all routers are enabled for VPN configuration, but if yours is, it’s a safe and simple way to protect your network.

7. Back up your data

Regular data backup is crucial for protecting against ransomware and other data loss threats. In the event of an attack, you can restore your files without having to pay a ransom or lose important information. Use both physical (external drives) and cloud-based backups to ensure your data is safe and accessible if needed.

Is a VPN enough to stay safe online?

No, while a VPN is a powerful tool for protecting your online activity, it isn’t a complete solution on its own. A VPN can secure your connection, but it doesn't address every threat out there. It can protect your internet traffic but doesn't defend against threats like malware, phishing, or device theft. A VPN also doesn’t protect against vulnerabilities in the websites you visit or weak passwords. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods, and relying solely on a VPN may leave you vulnerable to certain attacks.

To stay fully protected online, you need to combine the benefits of a VPN with other practices, like enabling two-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and keeping your software updated. These additional measures will help ensure you're fully protected from a wide range of cyber threats.

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author Aurelija S png

Aurelija Skebaite

Aurelija is passionate about cybersecurity and wants to make the online world safer for everyone. She believes the best way to learn is by doing, so she approaches cybersecurity topics from a practical standpoint and aims to help people protect themselves online.