@Zealist @hachi @Omega_Variant @zombiefinatic They route your internet traffic to a remote server, but unlike a standard proxy, it is all encrypted, so your network or ISP won't be able to see your traffic.
However, the VPN provider can still log your traffic. Some claim that they don't but it is impossible to prove either way.
They are useful for bypassing IP or region blocks or blocks set by your network.
Tor (which is more like a chain of VPNs) is a more secure option but it is much slower.
@xianc78 @Zealist @hachi @Omega_Variant @zombiefinatic VPNs can only be useful in these circumstantial situations. Preventing a site from knowing your real IP, getting around blocks -
I once discovered a site which banned my IP after I reloaded it too many times trying to get the right assets loaded in uMatrix. It considered me to be a bot. A VPN from a new IP got me the rest of the way.