We should note that there are multiple ways your behavior can be tracked online—even with a VPN, things like cookies allow companies to track your internet usage even after you've left their sites.
VPNs also only do so much to anonymize your online activities. If you really want to browse the web anonymously, and access the Dark Web to boot, you'll want to use Tor.
Unlike a VPN, Tor bounces your traffic through several server nodes, making it much harder to trace. It's also managed by a non-profit organization and distributed for free.
Some VPN services will even connect to Tor via VPN, for additional security.
It's worth noting that most VPN services are not philanthropic organizations that operate for the public good. While many are involved in progressive causes, they are all still for-profit organizations. That means that they have their own bills to pay, and they have to respond to subpoenas and warrants from law enforcement. They also have to abide by the laws of the country in which they officially reside.
This is why it's so important to read the privacy policy for VPN services, and to find out where a VPN company is headquartered.
Things can get tricky when it comes to trusting a VPN. Just about every VPN company says that they don't keep logs, but the extent to which they do or do not monitor usage isn't always clear.
It's easy to want a perfect, magical tool that will protect you from all possible threats. But the honest truth is that if someone targets you specifically and is willing to put forward the effort, they will get to you.
A VPN can be defeated by malware on your device, or by analyzing traffic patterns to correlate activity on your computer to activity on the VPN server. But using security tools like a VPN ensure that you won't be an easy target, or get scooped up in mass surveillance.
See more about our VPN-Monster Plans here.
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