VPN（虚拟专用网络）是一种越来越受欢迎的网络安全服务，它可以保护你的数据和身份，确保你在网上浏览时的隐私和匿名性。VPN通过创建一个私有网络，隐藏你的真实IP地址，使你的所有活动都无法追踪且安全。它就像一个加密隧道，你的所有网络流量都通过它，没有任何人可以窥视隧道内部，隧道内的所有内容都受到保护，免受病毒、黑客和恶意软件等在线威胁。

🤔 **VPN的运作原理:** VPN通过建立一个加密隧道，将你的网络流量从你的设备传输到VPN服务器，然后从服务器转发到你的目标网站或服务。这个过程隐藏了你的真实IP地址，使你能够匿名浏览网络，并保护你的数据不被黑客或其他恶意攻击者窃取。

🤑 **免费VPN的局限性:** 免费VPN通常提供有限的数据使用量，并且可能包含广告或跟踪功能。它们可能无法提供与付费VPN相同的安全级别，因为它们可能使用共享的IP地址或缺乏强大的加密技术。

💰 **付费VPN的优势:** 付费VPN通常提供无限的数据使用量，更强大的加密技术和安全功能，以及更快的连接速度。它们也往往提供更可靠的客户支持和更广泛的服务器网络。

🛡️ **选择VPN的建议:** 在选择VPN时，你需要考虑以下因素：价格、速度、安全功能、服务器网络、隐私政策和客户支持。选择信誉良好、提供高水平安全功能和可靠客户支持的VPN服务至关重要。

🚀 **推荐VPN服务:** 有一些信誉良好的VPN服务，例如PureVPN、NordVPN、TunnelBear等，它们提供强大的安全功能，保护你的隐私和匿名性，并帮助你访问受地理限制的网站和服务。

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you're totally unfamiliar with virtual private networks, or VPNs, this is probably a good time to get to know the increasingly popular cybersecurity services.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a VPN, including but not limited to masking all of your internet traffic or accessing services that may be blocked in a particular location. If you want to get the most out of the internet these days, a VPN is absolutely essential.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address, meaning that all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

VPNs act like encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. However, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

The best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up.

What is the best VPN for privacy and anonymity?

Deciding that you need a VPN is the easy part, but which VPN should you pick, and which ones can you trust? Search for a VPN online and dozens of results appear, so choosing the best service can be tricky. It requires a lot of research, and you should absolutely do your homework before committing to anything.

The good news is that we have done a lot of the hard work to help you in your search for a VPN, and tracked down examples of great services that secure your data, hide your activity, and bypass online restrictions. You can pick from leading services like PureVPN, NordVPN, TunnelBear, and more.

These are the best VPNs for online privacy in 2024.