Privacy & Security

A proxy is any server that sits between your device and a wider network, such as the internet. A virtual private network (VPN) server is a specific kind of proxy, but many other kinds of proxy exist. Although inaccurate (and as a result, confusing), VPNs are often contrasted to proxies.  Learn more about what VPN […]

Internet censorship is now more sophisticated and “lasting longer, affecting more people, and targeting vulnerable groups,” according to Access Now, an NGO that defends digital rights. Motivated by political power, restrictive social mores, and national security, illiberal governments in dozens of countries around the world have resorted to internet filtering and blackouts to control access […]

As internet users become increasingly savvy about their online security, VPNs have grown in popularity. Once reserved for special purposes, VPNs have now gone mainstream as more people realize VPNs can protect their private data and help them access blocked sites.  However, that increased popularity has also incentivized bad actors to enter the market, using […]

When people think of VPNs, the first thing that comes to mind is often personal and work computers and the ability to stream movies. However, we are spending an increasing amount of time using the internet on our phones rather than on a computer. The fact is, you face the same privacy risks on your […]

Growing public awareness about the threat posed to our fundamental right to privacy by online trackers has fueled a surge in VPN adoption, a trend that has been boosted thanks to people spending more time online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although VPN use is at an all-time high, many people still associate the technology […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rush to digitalization. Daily activities that once required in-person attendance, like classes, conferences, and even family gatherings, are being held online. While this increasingly internet-mediated life has made many events more accessible to more people, it has also introduced new security and privacy concerns. The more time we spend […]

This year, repressive governments continued to use internet shutdowns and social media blackouts as tools to censor their critics and keep their citizens in the dark. However, we noticed an encouraging countertrend: Citizens in these countries have learned to use VPNs to circumvent these blocks and fight back. Throughout 2020, ProtonVPN received multiple, significant spikes […]

An almost daily drumbeat of data breaches and online privacy violations has fueled public interest in VPN services such as ProtonVPN. This article explains what VPNs are, what they do, and whether you need one. Our sister article, How does a VPN work?, provides a more detailed and technical overview of what is going on […]

A virtual private network (VPN) provides privacy and a host of other benefits when connecting to the internet. Our blog post What is a VPN? explains what this technology does and some reasons you might find it useful to install your own VPN on your device.  In this article, we will go deeper and explain […]