From Skeptic to Advocate: Why I Now Use a VPN for Every Browsing Session

Published Jan 15, 2026, 10:30 AM EST

Jack has been a contributing author at MakeUseOf since June 2024, specializing in entertainment and its associated technology. He is passionate about creating engaging content that inspires and informs, having published articles and reviews in several reputable online resources since 2010, including SlashGear, BestReviews, and Ezvid Wiki.

Jack's work has taken him far and wide, from South America to Europe, South Asia, and the Far East, and his experiences continue to influence his writing. As a graduate with a BA in music technology, he is particularly interested in new developments in this field, including music hardware, music creation software, and music streaming services.

When he’s not researching and trying out the latest software and devices, Jack enjoys riding his motorcycles to far-flung destinations, playing guitar, and creating music and vlogs using Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on Mac.

I always used to associate VPNs with people having something to hide; a digital cloak for those torrenting movies or working in clandestine tech environments. This didn’t apply to me, an average Joe who always used trusted apps and websites, and I assumed that basic security measures covered my back. Even in public spaces, the idea of adding another layer of security felt excessive and maybe a little paranoid.

Fast-forward to the current digital climate. It is now widely accepted that a worrying amount of our online activity is tracked, monetized, and exposed without our explicit consent, and I strive to do whatever I can to reclaim my privacy. Having my own dedicated virtual private network is not about fear; it is the first line of defense in regaining control, privacy, and peace of mind.

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Why I initially avoided using a VPN

How convenience and misconceptions clouded my judgment

I always had access to VPNs while working in digital marketing, but my experience with older versions was pretty negative. Slower internet speeds, extra logins, and background apps running all the time interfered with my workflow, and I fell for the common myth that VPNs were only useful on sketchy public Wi-Fi networks, not on my secure home office connection.

Additionally, I felt skeptical about the level of anonymity VPN companies could actually offer, given frequent reports of failures and legal loopholes that made them seem useless to me. As far as I was concerned, my ISP, built-in security tools, and browsing in incognito mode were enough to address the risks.

I carried on in this way for years. However, as our online vulnerabilities became more apparent, I was compelled to revise this attitude.

Why I eventually decided to try one

A wake-up call about data visibility and unraveling security

Like many of us, my first realization about data tracking came when I started noticing how precisely ads followed me across my devices and platforms. You search for a product (or even discuss it online) and all of a sudden it’s popping up everywhere, even on apps that are entirely unrelated. This was around the same time that awareness was spreading regarding how internet service providers were logging and selling browsing data in many regions.

This wasn’t about hackers lurking in the depths of the internet; it was brazen surveillance that was part and parcel of the system. A VPN replaces your real Internet Protocol (IP) address with the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it much harder for websites, advertisers, or other nefarious actors to build a profile of your online behavior using your identity and physical location.

All of a sudden, a VPN was more than an extra layer of security; it was a way to claw back some digital autonomy. Upon subscribing to ExpressVPN, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my biggest concern about impacted performance was minimal. VPN functionality has improved as its importance and popularity have increased, and it is also easier to find a trusted VPN app.

Situations where a VPN matters most

Increased security isn’t only for high-risk users

As a frequent traveler and remote worker, one of a VPN’s most obvious benefits was increased protection when using public Wi-Fi. Encrypting my traffic made it far more difficult for anyone on the same network to snoop. It also made it harder for anyone to intercept my data while traveling abroad, staying in hotels, or working in shared workspaces, cafés, and airports.

The simple fact is that nowadays, encryption doesn’t apply only to those who deal in large financial transactions or handle sensitive documents, and risk isn’t always obvious. Simple everyday activities like logging in to accounts, reading the news, or researching health and financial topics all generate data that can be exploited. A VPN is a reasonable precaution, like locking your door even though you live in a safe neighborhood.

When a VPN might be unnecessary

The case against having always-on protection

There will be situations where a VPN may be overkill. For instance, if you have a trusted home network, visit HTTPS-enabled websites, and use strong passwords, the risk of your security being compromised is relatively low. It’s often the case that some services work better without a VPN, such as certain banking apps or streaming platforms that block VPN traffic. When I travel to areas with weak internet connections, using a VPN can throttle my speed to the point that even basic tasks become impossible.

Having said that, for me, it’s all about risk reduction rather than risk elimination. My VPN isn’t a magic cloak, but it effectively limits how much of my data is exposed. I chose a trusted provider with a clear no-logs policy and offshore servers to address any trust concerns I had, and I believe it offers excellent value for money, with other perks, including adding it to my Kodi media center and the ability to switch my streaming services to get regional apps whenever I travel.

From skepticism to my default connection

It wasn’t fear that prompted me to use a VPN; I just became better informed. It is a simple, low-effort way to boost my online privacy without drastically altering how I use the internet for work or leisure — and some are eminently affordable. Nowadays, my VPN starts up automatically when I turn on my computer, and my phone and tablet automatically connect whenever they detect an unfamiliar network.

Alongside using a travel router with public networks and practicing secure browsing, a VPN is another string in my digital hygiene bow and an essential ally in the fight for better privacy.