Worked examples: the VPN in everyday life

Six real situations. For each one: what the risk is, which setting to use, and what changes once you are connected.

Café Wi-FiHotelTravel abroadHome privacyPhone on the goRemote work
Example 1 · Public Wi-Fi

Checking your bank account at a café

Situation
The café's Wi-Fi has no password and is shared with everyone inside.
Risk
Others on the network, or a fake hotspot with a similar name, can watch which sites you open.
What to do
Connect to the VPN before opening any app. Use "Fastest server".
Result
The network sees only encrypted data going to the VPN server.
Without VPN Network sees: mybank.example Your IP & device With VPN ✓ Network sees: x8#f!q2@Lp9… VPN server only
Example 2 · Hotel

Working from a hotel room

Situation
The hotel network asks for your room number on a sign-in page, then lets you online.
Risk
Every guest shares the same network, and the VPN cannot connect until you complete the sign-in page.
What to do
Join the Wi-Fi, complete the hotel sign-in page in your browser, then tap Connect in the VPN app.
Result
Email, calls and documents travel encrypted for the rest of your stay.
1 Join Wi-Fi 2 Sign-in page Connect VPN Do it in this order on hotel, airport and train networks
Example 3 · Travel

Using your usual services while abroad

Situation
You are on holiday and your home bank flags logins from unfamiliar countries.
Risk
Extra security checks, or services that behave differently outside your home country.
What to do
Choose a server in your home country from the location list, then connect.
Result
Your connection appears to come from home. Always respect local laws and each service's terms.
You Tokyo, Japan Server Germany (home) Bank sees: Germany ✓
Example 4 · At home

Keeping browsing private from your provider

Situation
You browse at home on your own router.
Risk
Your internet provider can see which sites you visit through DNS lookups and connection data.
What to do
Turn on "Launch at startup" and "Auto-connect" so the VPN is always on. Keep DNS leak protection enabled.
Result
Your provider sees one encrypted connection to the VPN server.
Provider's view VPN off news.exampleshop.examplehealth.examplevideo.example VPN on ✓ vpn-server(encrypted)
Example 5 · Phone

Staying protected on your phone

Situation
Your phone jumps between mobile data, the gym's Wi-Fi and a friend's network all day.
Risk
Apps sync in the background the moment you join a new network, before you think to connect.
What to do
Turn on "Auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi" and choose the IKEv2 or WireGuard protocol for fast reconnection.
Result
The VPN connects automatically on any network you have not marked as trusted.
VPN Joined "Gym Wi-Fi" Auto-connected ✓ Untrustednetwork
Example 6 · Remote work

Printing at home while connected

Situation
With the VPN on, your laptop can't find the home printer.
Risk
Turning the VPN off to print leaves everything else unprotected.
What to do
Turn on "Allow local network access", or add the printer utility to the split tunneling list.
Result
The printer works and the rest of your traffic stays in the tunnel.
Laptop VPN ✓ Printer browser, email local only
Ready when you are

Turn on private browsing in under a minute

Follow the illustrated step-by-step guide and see the green checkmark on your own screen.

GET VPN NOW