But first, you need to understand how a VPN accomplishes its primary mission: Keeping you safe and protecting your privacy online.įundamentally, most VPNs (virtual private networks) provide two services: They encrypt your data between two points and they hide the IP address (from which a general location can be derived) where you're located. To find the best VPN service for your personal or business needs, you'll need to compare brands, prices, features, and more.