What Is a VPN and How to Use NordVPN

A VPN — which stands for Virtual Private Network — is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location. When you use a VPN, websites and anyone monitoring your network connection see the VPN server's address instead of your real one. This provides two main benefits: it hides your activity from people on the same network (important on public Wi-Fi), and it hides your browsing activity from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The most important time to use a VPN is on public Wi-Fi — at coffee shops, airports, hotels, and libraries. On a public network, other people on the same network can potentially intercept your unencrypted traffic. A VPN prevents this by encrypting everything before it leaves your device.

At home on your own private, password-protected Wi-Fi, a VPN is less necessary for basic security. Your home network is already much more protected than public Wi-Fi. One reason people still use a VPN at home is to prevent their ISP from seeing what sites they visit — ISPs are legally allowed to collect and sell this data in the US.

NordVPN is one of the most widely used VPNs. It works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. Download the NordVPN app from the official website at nordvpn.com or from your device's app store, create an account, and choose a subscription plan. Pricing is typically $3–5 per month when you pay for a year or two upfront, and around $12/month if you pay month-to-month.

Once installed, tap Quick Connect to connect to the fastest available server — usually one near you. For streaming content from another country, choose a server in that country from the server list. NordVPN also has a Kill Switch feature: if the VPN connection drops, Kill Switch cuts off your internet entirely rather than letting your data leak unprotected. Turn this on in the app settings.

For comparison: ExpressVPN is faster and simpler but more expensive. Proton VPN has a genuinely free tier (with slower speeds) and strong privacy credentials because it's based in Switzerland. Avoid truly free VPNs from unknown companies — they often make money by logging and selling your data, defeating the purpose entirely.