What Is a VPN and Do You Really Need One in 2025?

7. The Risks of Not Using a VPN

Let’s flip the perspective: what could happen if you don’t use a VPN? Here are some modern privacy and security risks you face when your connection isn’t protected:

• ISP Tracking and Data Profiling: Without a VPN, your ISP can log all your DNS queries and connections. Over time this becomes a detailed profile of your interests, habits, and possibly sensitive information (health searches, political affiliations, etc.). In many places this data can be sold or handed over to authorities. 61% of people remain unprotected online by not using VPNs – meaning a majority expose their browsing data to providers or governments by default ([2025 VPN Statistics and Consumer Report: 61% of Americans Remain Unprotected Online
• Government Surveillance: In an era of heightened digital surveillance, lack of a VPN means agencies can more easily perform dragnet collection of your internet metadata. If you ever become a person of interest (rightly or wrongly), all your past unencrypted traffic is an open book. Even encrypted websites leak some info (e.g., the domain names you visited). A VPN greatly reduces easy access to this trail by masking your origin and encrypting the content.
• Public Wi-Fi Attacks: As discussed, using open Wi-Fi without a VPN can lead to hacking incidents like Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Cybercriminals can capture passwords or inject malware if your traffic isn’t encrypted. This is one of the most tangible, immediate threats for the average user – and it’s entirely mitigated by a VPN.
• Geo-Blocking and Censorship: Without a VPN, you’re at the mercy of whatever your local network or government decides you can see. Whether it’s a blocked news site or just your favourite show that isn’t available in your country, you simply won’t have access.
• Data Leaks and Privacy Breaches: Many apps and websites still don’t implement perfect security. Sometimes data “leaks” via background requests or unencrypted connections. A VPN’s encryption can prevent leaked data from being readable. It’s an added failsafe against poor security practices of others.

In short, not using a VPN is like leaving your front door unlocked on the internet. For casual browsing of cat videos, maybe that’s fine. But as soon as you’re doing anything sensitive – logging into accounts, handling work or personal data, or just browsing topics you’d rather keep private – you’re taking a risk. This doesn’t mean everyone must use a VPN 24/7 (though many do, and most VPNs are fast enough now to not be noticeable in the background). It does mean you should be aware of what protections you’re foregoing when your VPN is off.

8. Top VPN Providers in 2025 and Their Features

If you’ve decided a VPN is worth having, the next question is which VPN service to choose. The market is crowded with options, but a handful of providers consistently stand out for their performance, security, and features. Below, we evaluate some of the leading VPN providers as of 2025, and what key features to look for:

• NordVPN: Overview: A powerhouse VPN known for a balance of speed, security, and price. NordVPN operates a huge network of over 7,000 servers across 118 countries , giving it one of the broadest global coverages. It uses strong encryption (AES-256) and supports modern protocols like WireGuard (branded as NordLynx for extra privacy). NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy that has been audited by third parties, meaning it doesn’t keep records of what you do online. Features: NordVPN offers specialty servers (like Double VPN, which routes through two servers for extra security, and Onion over VPN for Tor anonymity). It also has built-in ad and malware blocking. In terms of streaming, NordVPN is top-tier – it reliably unblocks Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and more, often in HD without buffering. Independent tests in 2025 found NordVPN to be one of the fastest VPNs available, so using it won’t noticeably drag down your connection. Pricing: Roughly $3-4 per month on a two-year plan (often with deals), making it excellent value given its capabilities. It allows 6 simultaneous connections.
• ExpressVPN: Overview: Long a gold-standard in the VPN industry, ExpressVPN is renowned for its solid security and ease of use. It has a smaller server network (around 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries) but those servers are high quality and optimized. ExpressVPN pioneered the use of RAM-only servers (their “TrustedServer” tech), meaning no data is ever written to a hard drive and everything wipes on reboot – a big boost for privacy assurance. Features: It uses the Lightway protocol (its custom high-performance VPN protocol) as well as OpenVPN, providing strong encryption and fast connection times. ExpressVPN has a clean, beginner-friendly interface (one reason it’s often recommended for VPN newbies). It’s excellent for streaming and torrenting, though in recent rankings it has become a bit pricier compared to rivals. Privacy: Also audited no-logs, based in the British Virgin Islands (jurisdiction with strong privacy). It doesn’t have as many fancy extras as some others, but covers all the important bases reliably. Pricing: On the higher end – roughly $6 to $12 per month depending on plan length (monthly vs yearly). Only 5 simultaneous devices allowed per account. Many users love ExpressVPN for its reliability – CNET even rates it as the top mobile VPN for its responsiveness and ease of use.
• Surfshark: Overview: Surfshark has quickly grown into a leading VPN thanks to its affordable pricing and rich features. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use one account on all your devices (family members included) without extra cost – a big selling point. Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries , and like Nord, it supports WireGuard for speed. Features: Despite being “budget,” Surfshark packs features: a CleanWeb ad/tracker blocker, MultiHop double VPN, split tunneling (choose which apps use the VPN), and even optional add-ons like an antivirus and data breach alert system. It’s very streaming-friendly (works with Netflix, Disney+, etc.) and gaming-friendly (low latency on nearby servers). Privacy: No-logs policy, headquartered in the Netherlands. It has also undergone security audits. One standout is that Surfshark and NordVPN merged under the same parent company (in 2022), though they operate independently – this combined expertise seems to have benefited both. According to experts, Surfshark delivers a lot of bang for the buck, offering “outstanding speed performance, top-notch privacy protections” at a low price. Pricing: One of the best deals – often around $2-3 per month on multi-year plans. Great for budget-conscious users who still want premium service.
• Proton VPN: Overview: From the privacy-focused team behind ProtonMail, Proton VPN is all about security and transparency. It’s based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws) and is open source (their apps’ code is publicly auditable). Proton VPN has grown massively – as of 2025 they boast over 11,000 servers in 117 countries, which is remarkable. They separate servers into free and “Plus” (paid) tiers. Features: Strong encryption and protocols (including WireGuard). A unique feature is Secure Core: when enabled, your traffic routes through privacy-friendly countries (like Switzerland or Iceland) before exiting to the broader internet, adding extra protection against tracing. Proton VPN also supports Tor over VPN. It’s one of the rare providers to offer a truly unlimited free plan – no data cap, just limited to a few server locations and one device. The free plan is slower and can’t access streaming sites, but it’s fantastic for a no-cost option (and Proton is widely regarded as the best free VPN choice due to its no-logs and robust security. Privacy: Absolutely no logs, independently audited. Proton is very transparent about who runs it and how it’s funded. Streaming and speed: On the paid plans, Proton VPN can unblock Netflix and others, though it sometimes lags slightly behind Nord/Express in sheer streaming speed. They have been improving though, doubling server capacity in 2024 to meet demand. Pricing: Free for basic use; around $5-10/month for “Plus” plan (which is needed for streaming and full speed). If your priority is privacy and you like open-source ethos, ProtonVPN is a top pick.
• Other Notable VPNs: There are several other solid VPN providers. CyberGhost (based in Romania) is known for having one of the largest networks (over 9,000 servers) and specialized streaming servers for various services. It’s user-friendly and often discounted, great for streaming, though its app is a bit heavy and not as sleek as others. Private Internet Access (PIA) is a veteran VPN (now owned by CyberGhost’s parent) that appeals to power users – it has tons of advanced settings, supports WireGuard, and allows up to 10 devices. PIA’s network is huge (thousands of servers) and it’s proven its no-logs claim in court cases, but being US-based sometimes gives privacy purists pause (though no logs means not even the US government can get data, as shown historically). Mullvad deserves mention for the privacy-enthusiast: it’s a Swedish VPN that doesn’t even require an email – you pay anonymously and get an account number. Mullvad is highly respected for transparency and a strict privacy focus, but it doesn’t formally support streaming services and has a smaller network. Finally, there are newer players and specialized ones like TorGuard, IVPN, Atlas VPN, etc., which each target different niches or budgets.

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