In today’s digitally connected world, online privacy has become a growing concern for many. As you browse, stream, and interact online, keeping your information and data secure is crucial. One effective solution to protect your online privacy is using a virtual private network (VPN) on your favorite Android phone or tablet. But how exactly does a VPN work on a phone, and why do you need one?
In this comprehensive guide, we dive into the nuts and bolts of VPNs, exploring how they function, their advantages, and why they’re essential for safeguarding your privacy in the digital age by protecting your phone.
What is a virtual private network (VPN), and how does it work?
Your Internet service provider (ISP) gives you a unique number known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which allows you to access the Internet. However, your online activities can be traced back to your physical home address using this number. Your ISP can also see everything you do by default, which isn’t great for privacy concerns. A virtual private network (VPN) service stops them from snooping on you. A VPN conceals your home IP address and encrypts your data through a secure tunnel, ensuring that your online activities remain private and inaccessible to third parties. Not even your ISP will know what you’re doing online.
When connected to a VPN, the initial web traffic starts its journey by authenticating your client or device with the remote server location. That data is encrypted based on the security protocol you use, sent to the remote server, and out to the public web. Your actual home IP address is faked or hidden using the new one from the VPN service or provider. Since encrypted data packets are sent between you and the remote VPN server when browsing online, you stay safe and secure no matter what. This entire process is often referred to as VPN tunneling.
What are the most common VPN security protocols available today?
Various security protocols are available on the market today for VPN services and providers, some being unique in their own regard. In the section below, we briefly discuss a few of the most common ones you might encounter. To learn more, check out the following.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN has been the go-to standard for many VPN services and providers since its introduction in 2001. Even today, OpenVPN is one of the most well-known and commonly used protocols globally. As the name suggests, it’s a secure open-source VPN protocol that is highly accessible to everyone across all major platforms and devices.
It may not be explicitly built for smartphones. However, you can download the third-party app to manage your local OpenVPN devices. OpenVPN also offers a next-generation cloud-based solution, which helps businesses and private users deploy self-hosted VPN servers effortlessly without extra hardware.
Wireguard
Wireguard is a next-generation open-source VPN protocol with faster speeds, increased security, and less system resource overhead compared to OpenVPN. However, it was built with speed and efficiency over privacy right out of the box. Wireguard doesn’t support many consumer privacy-focused options by default due to limitations, such as obfuscation or tunneling over TCP. To fill in the blanks, companies like NordVPN use custom software to add unique privacy features to their Wireguard implementation. If you use Wireguard on your own VPN server, you’ll miss some core privacy features if left untouched.
NordLynx
NordLynx is a custom implementation of the Wireguard VPN protocol built exclusively by the NordVPN team. Citing the common issues mentioned earlier about Wireguard, such as lacking consumer-friendly privacy features, NordVPN set out to enhance its customer’s VPN experience. NordLynx uses the same framework as Wireguard without giving up the user privacy options. Essentially, NordVPN took the next-generation VPN protocol and made it even better. You get speed, security, and privacy in one package deal with little to no compromise. This makes NordLynx a very appealing option if you want to use the NordVPN service today.
Lightway
Lightway is a VPN protocol built exclusively by the ExpressVPN team to meet the high standards they set for the consumer VPN market. Although not based on Wireguard, Lightway is a unique VPN protocol that focuses on speed, security, and privacy. All the features you’d expect from a consumer-based VPN. ExpressVPN mentions Wireguard as being excellent in its own regard. However, a VPN must have those core privacy features to be worthwhile. Thus, ExpressVPN created a new VPN protocol that aligns with the company’s needs and the demand of its customers.
What can you expect when using a free VPN service?
Free VPN services often have limitations that make them unreliable for daily use for complete online privacy. They typically offer a free monthly limit on how much data you can use, so you’ll have to be cautious about when and where you use the VPN. On top of that, the VPN service’s handling of your information can be questionable since you’re not paying for anything. Most will agree that your personal data is more likely to be misused, sold, or exploited with a free VPN versus a premium paid subscription service.
Many free VPN services also have various paid options, but that may not always translate to them being trustworthy with your personal data. Depending on the VPN service’s reputation and logging policy, they may collect or misuse your data even if you’re paying for a premium subscription tier. It’s also a good idea to avoid the random free VPN apps that pop up overnight on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Most of them aren’t designed with your best interest in mind. Their sole purpose is to siphon your data without you ever knowing.
What about premium paid VPN services?
On the other hand, a premium paid VPN service typically offers more unique features than what you get with a free option. Some examples include real-time malware defense, ad blockers that stop sneaky tracking practices, and protection from most known malicious websites. Additionally, a premium paid VPN service is more likely to have a legitimate no-logging policy versus a free option. You also won’t need to worry about data caps since you can use their servers at all times as long as they’re online, which is perfect for daily use.
A premium paid VPN service also tends to have an extensive selection of high-quality servers you can access worldwide. Since there may be times when a server gets bogged down due to high traffic, the more options you have, the better. In this case, your connection speed can suddenly drop and become unstable, so server hopping would be beneficial. You also get more VPN security protocol choices, including Wireguard and other unique implementations. For example, NordVPN has NordLynx, while ExpressVPN offers Lightway. Both protocols are built around the needs of their respective customers.
Should you use a free or premium paid VPN service?
That all comes down to what you need and how often you plan to use a VPN with your smartphone. Since these devices are online and always connected, you’ll want to use a VPN as much as possible, if not all the time. Many reputable VPN providers offer free services with low monthly data cap limits, but that would restrict your ability to keep it active at all times. And since they’re free to use, some VPN providers might also display intrusive ads or sell your browsing history to profit from your data in some way.
The choice is yours, but we recommend paying for a premium VPN service to avoid the restrictive monthly data cap while reaping the extra benefits. It makes it an easy choice when combined with the additional privacy features, server selection, and modern VPN security protocols. And many of the well-known VPN services offer excellent multi-year subscription discounts, making it a small price to pay in the long run.
What are some popular VPN services for Android?
There are numerous VPN services available for mobile devices, each with its own set of features and pricing plans. Some popular options include:
ExpressVPN
We’ve already discussed ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol above, so it’s no secret that this service stands out among other Android VPNs. It offers exceptional speed and reliability, with over 3,000 servers in 94 countries and other strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN and AES-256 for top-notch security. Alongside its strict no-logs policy and a built-in kill switch to prevent data leaks, ExpressVPN is a preferred choice. It includes a 7-day free trial, so you can test it out before committing to $13/month or $100/year.
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost has a no-logs policy and features an extensive network of over 7,000 servers in 90 countries, 24/7 customer support in multiple languages (English, German, French, and Romanian), a user-friendly interface, and robust security measures such as AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. There’s 3-day free trial after which, you can subscribe for $10/month or $50/year.
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is an affordable, feature-rich Android VPN with over 3,000 servers in 65 countries, offering unique features like CleanWeb (blocks ads, malicious websites, and phishing attempts) and Whitelister alongside excellent connectivity and a strict no-logs policy. Its 7-day free trial and support for unlimited simultaneous connections also makes it a standout option. Currently, there’s only a yearly subscription offer for $52 in the app, but you can find a monthly option on their website.
AdGuard VPN
AdGuard is known for its ad-blocking, privacy protection, and browsing security features in its content blocker app. However, it also offers a separate VPN app with servers in over 50 locations in multiple countries, ensuring fast and reliable connections while maintaining user privacy. AdGuard VPN allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access blocked content while also providing advanced security features to protect personal data. Subscriptions are available for $13/month or $54/year.
NordVPN
As mentioned above, NordVPN has its own NordLynx security protocol. It’s also a very popular option among Android users, offering a vast network of 5,000 servers in 60 countries for fast, secure connections and notable features like CyberSec (designed to block ads, prevent malware infections, and protect against cyber threats) and split tunneling. There’s a 7-day free trial, and then you’ll be charged $12/month or $100/year. With a user-friendly app, a strict no-logs policy, and exceptional customer support, it rivals ExpressVPN.
How can you tell if a VPN service is safe and legitimate?
The first thing to look for in a VPN service is its no-logging policy. You need to be sure your information is safe and won’t be mishandled at any point. Some countries or governments may enforce strict data-logging policies, so look further into the company’s no-logging claims. Find the location or country where the VPN is based, then dig a little deeper using your own independent research. The goal is to see if the country they set up shop in requires a data-logging policy.
Aside from verifying their no-logging claims, you’ll want to learn as much about that VPN company or service as possible. For this part, stray away from their official website and explore other details using a search engine. Find out who runs it and how trustworthy they are based on community feedback. You should look up multiple third-party articles and videos to see if they all agree on its legitimacy. You can also check the user-based VPN app reviews on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for a little extra insight.
Can your personal data still be tracked when using a VPN?
This is a complicated question that often has a misleading answer, inadvertently giving the average user a false sense of security. A VPN can encrypt your internet traffic and keep your browsing session private to an extent. However, it won’t protect you from everything. For example, you can still be indirectly tracked by website cookies, ad trackers, and the information you share on social media. And the more online accounts you log in to that are tied to your factual personal details, the higher your chances of having that data getting tracked, sold, or stolen by an unwanted third-party entity.
A reputable and well-designed VPN does what it was meant to do by keeping your internet traffic encrypted. However, it still falls on the user to practice safe online browsing habits for everything a VPN can’t protect you from. We also trust these big tech companies and websites to keep our online accounts and personal information safe from harm. Still, data breaches and ransomware have been on the rise recently, which is beyond our control. Because of that, your private data can sometimes be taken from you without your consent or knowledge, VPN or not.
Overall, a VPN can encrypt your internet traffic and keep your browsing activities hidden from others on the public web to an extent. Your ISP won’t be able to tell what you’re doing either. They can only see that you’re using a VPN. This allows you to browse the web and use internet-connected devices, without being tracked by the unique IP address given to you by your ISP. Just be cautious about what information you put online, which links or websites you visit, and how much of your personal life you share with strangers on social media.
What are some safe online browsing habits you can use with a VPN?
No amount of VPN security can protect you from sharing private details online that can be tied to your personal information. People often overlook this when using a VPN. It’s not a magic bubble that keeps you protected without thinking about your actions. VPN users must still be careful when freely browsing the open web. The VPN companies or services offering a premium subscription won’t always point this out either. You have nothing to worry about here if you combine various safe online browsing habits while using your favorite VPN provider.
So what are some examples of safe online browsing habits you can use in your personal life? For starters, avoid websites that are unencrypted and marked as unsafe. Web browsers are excellent at alerting you to this, but you still have to back out of the site manually. At the same time, don’t fall victim to spam calls, emails, or text messages. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Some VPN services have features to identify and protect you from these common scams.
We also want to touch on two-factor authentication (2FA), which can further protect your online security. In this case, you should ensure your VPN account has a strong primary password and that 2FA is enabled. A VPN might be able to encrypt your web traffic. However, your VPN account is still susceptible to being hacked. Once 2FA is active, you’ll enter a random passcode before you or anyone can log in to the account. You should use 2FA for as many online accounts as possible to keep your personal and private information safe.
Can you use a VPN with smartphone location-tracking features?
Smartphones have built-in GPS functionality, which can be used to track your approximate or precise location. A VPN can only encrypt your web traffic via an IP address, so GPS is beyond the scope it can protect you from. Let’s say you give location access to an app when it asks for it. A VPN can’t help you here since the GPS coordinates would override your IP address. Still, there are ways to spoof or emulate your GPS data while using a VPN, giving you the best of both worlds.
Using GPS on your phone without spoofing or faking your coordinates first will reveal your actual location information. As a side note, Android and iOS offer more user control regarding location tracking on our smartphones today than in the past. Now we can deny or accept location requests for every installed app. No more unrestricted access to our location data at all times. It’s a significant step forward, but we can likely expect Google and Apple to continue refining smartphone location-based security features well into the future.
Is there another reason to use a VPN other than security purposes?
Many users likely use a VPN service for its privacy and security features. Still, another popular reason makes them appealing. Most streaming services offer unique content that can’t be viewed if you live outside a specific country. Using a VPN to spoof or fake your personal IP address in order to bypass these geo-restrictions can give you instant access to many of these shows you couldn’t view before. Some users are less concerned about security and more interested in streaming content outside their own country. For them, the added safety features of a VPN would be a welcomed bonus.
It’s worth noting that using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions or access blocked streaming content may violate the terms of service for some websites and streaming services. When you sign up for a service, you agree to follow their terms and conditions, which might forbid VPNs. If you ignore those rules and use a VPN, you could risk getting your account suspended or terminated. So, be smart and cautious with your VPN usage when it comes to streaming!
Potential downsides and risks of using a VPN
While VPNs offer many benefits, there are also some potential downsides and risks to consider. One concern is that using a VPN can sometimes result in slower internet speeds since your data must travel through the VPN server before reaching its destination. This can be particularly noticeable when using a VPN server located far away from your actual location, so it’s best to choose a location that is closer to your current location.
Another concern is the trustworthiness of the VPN provider. When you use a VPN, you are essentially entrusting your data to the VPN company. Some VPN providers may log your data or even sell it to third parties, negating the privacy benefits of using a VPN. To minimize these risks, it’s essential to choose a reputable VPN provider with a strict no-logs policy and strong encryption standards.
Protecting your smartphone with a VPN has never been easier
If you’ve gotten this far, you now know that a VPN is an essential tool to keep your personal information safe while using your smartphone. With a VPN, your online activities are private and secure, even from your internet service provider. However, a VPN cannot protect you from everything, like sharing private information online or falling for scams. Always practice safe online browsing habits, like avoiding unencrypted websites, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious about what information you share with strangers on social media.
While free VPN services may seem tempting, it’s best to invest in a premium paid VPN service to avoid data caps and get extra features like real-time malware defense and ad blockers. Finally, be sure to research and choose a VPN provider with a no-logging policy and a good reputation to ensure your personal data is safe. Our VPN guide for beginners will also give you some great tips.
Have you ever used a VPN on your phone, and if not, what’s holding you back? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
