Why 'VPNs Are Worthless (But You Should Use One)' Is Terrible Advice
We've all seen those headlines: "VPNs are USELESS!" or "Hackers can bypass your VPN in SECONDS!"—only for the same article to conclude with, "But you should still use one in a layered defense approach."
Let's cut through the nonsense...YouTube "Cyber Experts"!
The Clickbait Formula in Cybersecurity 👇
This predictable pattern has become cybersecurity content marketing 101:
1. Start with Fear: "Your VPN is giving you a false sense of security!"
2. Throw in Some Half-Truths: "Hackers and intelligence agencies can still track you through other means."
3. Pivot to 'But You Still Need It': "VPNs are essential for public Wi-Fi, but they don't make you anonymous."
4. Sprinkle in 'Buy This Instead': "Use this super-secure alternative (that I happen to be promoting)."
This alarmist storytelling leaves people confused about whether security tools have any value at all, when the reality is more nuanced:
✅ VPNs serve specific purposes (encrypting traffic and masking your IP)
❌ They're not a magic bullet (they don't make you anonymous or immune to all threats)
✅ They're valuable as part of a larger security strategy (especially for remote work, public Wi-Fi, and bypassing censorship)
✅ VPNs would have helped protect against threats like Salt Typhoon – the major telecommunications infiltration campaign that compromised ISPs and telecom providers worldwide. By encrypting your traffic from end to end, a VPN would have prevented this type of surveillance from accessing your data, even when the backbone infrastructure was compromised. And while many argue "everything is HTTPS now," this ignores several realities:
ISPs can still see which domains you visit (DNS requests)
Not all sites implement HTTPS properly or consistently
HTTPS doesn't hide metadata (which sites you visit, when, and for how long)
Sophisticated attackers like those behind Salt Typhoon can potentially exploit SSL/TLS vulnerabilities at the infrastructure level
Let's Be Real: Should You Use a VPN?
Yes, but understand what it actually does and doesn't do:
1. On public Wi-Fi → A VPN encrypts your connection, protecting your data from local network snoopers
2. Concerned about ISP monitoring → A VPN prevents your provider from seeing which sites you visit
3. Need to bypass geo-restrictions → VPNs excel at this specific use case
Want complete anonymity or "unhackable" status → No single tool can provide this, including VPNs
Beyond VPNs: Real Security Takes Layers
If you're serious about privacy and security, your strategy should include:
🔹 Hardened browsers (Firefox with privacy extensions or Brave)
🔹 Anti-fingerprinting measures to reduce tracking
🔹 Strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all important accounts
🔹 Regular system updates and patches
🔹 Defense in depth – multiple overlapping security controls
Stop the Fearmongering. Start Educating.
Cybersecurity isn't about scaring people into thinking they're doomed regardless of what precautions they take. It's about understanding realistic threats and implementing practical mitigations based on your personal risk profile.
I'm tired of seeing oversimplified, fear-driven content that leaves people more confused than informed. Let's start having honest conversations about security—without the hype and contradictions.
What's the most ridiculous security clickbait you've encountered? Share in the comments below. 👇