Use VPN to Hide Your Location¶
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) uses transport-layer encryption, offering benefits like accessing geoblocked sites and hiding your location. How does a VPN work? Your device's traffic, when connected to a VPN, travels through an encrypted tunnel. If someone eavesdrops – for example, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an attacker – only the transmission of data is apparent, not its destination or content.
Can VPN be traced?¶
Using a VPN, similar to Tor, doesn't guarantee complete anonymity or security. Vulnerabilities like browser fingerprinting, man-in-the-middle attacks or correlation attacks persist. Online service providers you interact with can still inspect, store, and modify your data. This includes search engines, banks, or email providers, as well as your VPN provider.
Make sure you choose a trustworthy VPN provider to protect your online activity. Consider providers with a good reputation in terms of location, logging, payment, security level, availability, pricing, and ethics.
ProtonVPN¶
| Description | |
|---|---|
  | ProtonVPN claims to be the only free VPN with no ads and no speed limits. It offers features like a ‘kill switch’, DNS leak protection, split tunneling or traffic encryption over two locations. Based in Switzerland – beyond the Fourteen Eyes alliance – ProtonVPN claims to be a no-logs provider. It retains only a timestamp for the last login attempt, to enhance security. With open source client software, a tracker-free Android app with minimal permissions, and dedicated servers, ProtonVPN emphasizes transparency. While a free version exists, upgraded features require a paid account, starting at around €4/month. Anonymous payments are accepted. |
MullvadVPN¶
| Description | |
|---|---|
  | Mullvad claims to be a fast, trustworthy and user-friendly VPN, also powering Mozilla's VPN offering. Based in Sweden – one of the Fourteen Eyes countries – Mullvad positions itself as a no-logs provider. With open-source client software and a tracker-free Android app with minimal permissions, Mullvad prioritizes transparency. Its servers, dispersed globally, are predominantly rented. Subscriptions start at around €5/month. Mullvad accepts anonymous payments and requires no email sign-up. |
RiseupVPN¶
| Description | |
|---|---|
  | RiseupVPN claims to avoid censorship, hide locations, and encrypt traffic for its users. Established in 1999, RiseUp operates as a volunteer-run collective based in Seattle, which is located in a Fourteen Eyes country. RiseUp maintains a no-logs policy. Desktop clients are based on the open source software Bitmask. The tracker-free Android app requires minimal permissions. RiseupVPN is offered free of charge, sustaining its operations only through donations. |
CalyxVPN¶
| Description | |
|---|---|
  | CalyxVPN is operated by the Calyx Institute, a non-profit established in 2010 and located in a Fourteen Eyes country. Their privacy policy notes periodic logging of IP addresses, followed by regular deletion. Desktop clients are based on the open source software Bitmask. The tracker-free Android app requires minimal permissions. CalyxVPN remains free of charge. |