10 VPN Myths Debunked: What a VPN Can and Cannot Do

Published 27 January 2026 · by VPN Free UK

VPNs have gone from a niche tool for IT professionals to a mainstream product used by millions of people across the UK. But as their popularity has grown, so has the amount of misinformation surrounding them. Marketing claims, social media posts, and word of mouth have created a tangle of myths that can leave users with false expectations — or, worse, a false sense of security. In this article, we tackle ten of the most common VPN myths head-on, explaining what a VPN genuinely does and where its limitations lie.

Myths About Anonymity and Privacy

Myth 1: A VPN makes you completely anonymous online.
This is the most widespread and most dangerous misconception. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, which significantly improves your privacy. However, true anonymity requires far more than that. Websites can still track you through browser fingerprinting, cookies, logged-in accounts, and behavioural patterns. If you log into Google or Facebook while connected to a VPN, those services know exactly who you are regardless of your IP address. A VPN is a powerful privacy tool, but it is not an invisibility cloak.

Myth 2: Your ISP cannot see that you are using a VPN.
Your ISP cannot see what you are doing through a VPN — the content of your traffic is encrypted. But they can see that you are using one. VPN traffic has recognisable patterns: connections to known VPN server IP addresses, consistent encryption on a single port, and characteristic handshake protocols. Some VPNs offer obfuscation modes that disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS browsing, but by default, your ISP will know a VPN is in use even if they cannot read the traffic itself.

Myths About Free VPNs and Cost

Myth 3: Free VPNs are just as good as paid ones.
There is a fundamental economic reality behind free VPNs: if you are not paying for the product, you are the product. Many free VPN providers monetise their service by collecting and selling user data, injecting advertisements into your browsing sessions, or bundling their software with trackers. Even the more reputable free tiers, such as those offered by Proton VPN or Windscribe, impose significant limitations on speed, server locations, and bandwidth. For serious privacy, streaming, or remote work, a paid VPN is a necessity, not a luxury. We explore this topic in greater depth in our free vs paid VPN comparison.

Myth 4: All VPNs are basically the same.
VPN providers differ enormously in their logging policies, jurisdiction, server infrastructure, encryption standards, speed, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions. Some providers have been caught logging user data despite claiming otherwise. Others have undergone multiple independent audits to verify their no-logs claims. Choosing a VPN without researching these differences is like choosing a bank without checking whether it is regulated. Our comparison tool lets you evaluate providers side by side across the metrics that matter most.

Myths About Speed and Performance

Myth 5: VPNs slow your internet down significantly.
This was true a decade ago when most VPNs relied on the OpenVPN protocol. In 2026, modern protocols like WireGuard, NordLynx, and Lightway have reduced the overhead to single-digit percentage drops. Connecting to a nearby server typically costs less than five per cent of your baseline speed.

Myth 6: A VPN can speed up your internet connection.
If your ISP throttles specific traffic like video streaming, a VPN can bypass that throttling. But in general, a VPN adds a small amount of overhead. It will not turn a slow connection into a fast one.

Myths About Legality and Security

Myth 7: VPNs are illegal in the UK.
VPNs are perfectly legal to use in the United Kingdom. There is no law prohibiting the use of encryption tools or VPN software. What remains illegal is using a VPN to commit a crime — but the VPN itself is simply a tool, much like a locked door or an envelope. The UK government has shown no indication of any intention to ban VPNs, and millions of businesses rely on VPN technology for secure remote access every day.

Myth 8: A VPN protects you against all malware and viruses.
A VPN encrypts your traffic. It does not scan files for malware, block phishing emails, or prevent you from downloading malicious software. Some premium VPNs, such as NordVPN with its Threat Protection feature, do include DNS-level ad and malware blocking, but these are supplementary features, not replacements for proper antivirus software. You should always run a reputable antivirus programme alongside your VPN.

Myths About When You Need a VPN

Myth 9: You only need a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
Public Wi-Fi is the riskiest environment, but at home your ISP logs domains you visit and, under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, retains those records for 12 months. On mobile data, your carrier tracks your browsing too. A VPN is valuable on every connection type.

Myth 10: Once you install a VPN, you never need to think about it again.
Providers regularly release updates that patch vulnerabilities and improve performance. Periodically check that your kill switch is enabled, DNS leak protection is active, and auto-connect is turned on. A VPN is not a set-and-forget solution.

The Real Benefits of Using a VPN

Stripping away the myths, a VPN still provides substantial benefits. It encrypts your traffic, masks your IP address, bypasses geo-restrictions, and prevents your ISP from logging the websites you visit. These are meaningful protections for most UK internet users. The key is understanding what a VPN does and does not do, setting realistic expectations, and pairing it with good security habits like strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Ready to find a VPN that fits your needs? Use our comparison tool to evaluate providers on privacy, speed, streaming, and value — and make your choice based on facts, not myths.