Does a VPN protect you from hackers? The truth about online security

You’ve probably seen the ads: “Use a VPN to stay safe from hackers.” It sounds good. Simple, even. But is it true?

The internet is a lot messier than those ads make it seem. Yes, a VPN can protect you, but not from everything. It’s a tool, not a magic shield. And if you don’t understand what it does (and what it doesn’t), you might still be leaving doors wide open to cyberattacks.

In this guide, we’re breaking down exactly how VPNs work when it comes to online threats—where they help, where they fall short, and what else you need to stay truly secure. No scare tactics, no hype. Just the facts.

Because protecting yourself online isn’t about doing one thing. It’s about knowing what actually works.

How a VPN protects you from hackers

A VPN offers several key protections that can make a hacker’s job significantly harder.​

Strong encryption

When you connect to a VPN, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This means that any data you send or receive is scrambled, making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept it.

IP address masking

Your IP address is like your digital home address—it reveals your location and can be used to track your online activities. A VPN masks your real IP address by routing your connection through a server in a different location and replacing your IP address with the IP address of that server. 

Secure VPN protocols

VPNs use protocols to keep your connection secure. You can think of these like the rules that decide how your data travels between your device and the VPN server. Some, like ExpressVPN’s Lightway and WireGuard, are trusted because they’re fast and strong on security. They help make sure that whatever you’re sending or doing online stays encrypted and protected while it moves through the internet.

Kill switch

A kill switch is one of those behind-the-scenes features that makes a big difference. If your VPN connection drops—even for a second—a kill switch automatically cuts off your internet connection until the VPN is back up. That way, your real IP address and unencrypted data don’t accidentally leak out. 

No-logs policy

When a VPN says it has a no-logs policy, it means they don’t keep records of what you do online. No browsing history, no connection timestamps, and no personal data that could be traced back to you. Some minimal information, like billing or technical diagnostics, might still be collected, but a true no-logs VPN won’t store anything that can be tied to your browsing activity.

This matters because if someone—like a government agency or cybercriminal—ever tries to get that information, there’s nothing stored to hand over. But not every VPN sticks to this promise. That’s why it’s worth checking if the provider has had their no-logs policy verified by an independent audit. It’s one of the most important things to look for if you care about privacy.

Ad and tracker blocking

Some VPNs do more than just hide your IP—they also block ads, tracking scripts, and known malicious sites while you browse. That means fewer pop-ups, less data being collected about you, and lower chances of landing on a phishing page or downloading something nasty by accident. 

Some VPNs offer all of these features, but not all of them do. ExpressVPN is one that actually does—strong encryption, reliable protocols, a kill switch, a proven no-logs policy, and even built-in tools to block trackers and shady sites.

What cyberattacks can a VPN prevent?

A VPN is not a complete security solution, but thanks to the security features we’ve discussed above, it plays an important role in defending against specific types of online threats. These are some attacks where a VPN offers real protection:

Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack happens when someone intercepts the communication between your device and the service you are trying to reach. Without strong encryption, attackers can read or even alter the information in transit.

A VPN protects against this by encrypting your internet traffic. Even if someone manages to intercept the connection, they would not be able to understand or manipulate the data.

IP address tracking and targeting

Your IP address can reveal more than you think—it shows your approximate location and can be used to associate your activity with your device or general location.

A VPN protects you by hiding your real IP address and routing your traffic through a secure server. This masks your true location and identity, making it much harder for cybercriminals, advertisers, or even nosy network operators to trace your activity or target you directly. 

It’s worth noting, however, that other methods like browser fingerprinting can still track you even with a masked IP.

Remote hacking

In some cases, attackers can use your IP address to attempt direct attacks against your device, especially if your system has vulnerabilities, like outdated software or exposed ports.

As mentioned, a VPN helps by hiding your real IP and replacing it with one from a secure server. That means hackers can’t easily find you in the first place—let alone try to break in. It doesn’t fix all vulnerabilities, but it keeps you off their radar, which is half the battle.

Digital footprint tracking

Every site you visit, link you click, and ad you scroll past can leave behind clues: your browsing history, behavioral patterns, and more. That trail—your digital footprint—can be used to build a profile about what you like and where you go online.

VPN helps limit that tracking the same way it prevents IP tracking and remote hacking: by hiding your IP address and encrypting your traffic. Without that info, it’s harder for websites, advertisers, or shady actors to connect your actions back to you. It’s not total invisibility, but it’s a solid step toward making your online life a little more private.

Still, remember: a VPN won’t stop tracking cookies or fingerprinting on its own. You’ll need to pair it with browser privacy settings or tracker blockers to really cut down the noise.

Other attacks ExpressVPN can prevent

ExpressVPN offers a few extra protections that go beyond what a typical VPN provides. 

For example, its password manager creates strong passwords resilient to brute-force attacks (a type of attack that basically involves guessing your password through multiple attempts). It also reduces the risk of keylogger malware capturing your sensitive information: since it automatically fills out passwords and other credentials, there are no keystrokes that a keylogger can detect and save. 

In the U.S., ExpressVPN also includes Identity Defender, which helps monitor for identity theft and remove your personal data from broker sites. It also notifies you of any changes to your credit score and even includes up to $1 million in ID theft coverage.

ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager is another extra feature worth mentioning—it blocks known trackers and malicious sites, offering protection against phishing websites.

What a VPN can’t protect you from

A VPN handles your connection—but your browser activity, extensions, and habits play a big role in your overall privacy. Knowing where a VPN ends and other tools take over is key to staying safe online.

Malware and viruses

A VPN keeps your traffic hidden from outsiders, but it doesn’t scan the files you download. So if you click on a fake ad, open a shady attachment, or install something from an untrusted site, a VPN won’t block the malware that comes with it.

Social engineering and phishing

Not all cyberattacks involve breaking into your system—some rely on manipulating people instead. This is the core of social engineering, where attackers pretend to be someone you trust, like tech support, a coworker, or your bank, to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

Phishing is one of the most common tactics. You might receive an email or text message or see a fake login page that looks completely legitimate but is designed to steal your credentials. 

This is where ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager can help—but only up to a point. It works by blocking access to known malicious domains at the DNS level, stopping your device from even connecting to harmful sites. That means if you click a phishing link that points to a domain already identified as suspicious, Threat Manager can step in and block the connection.

But Threat Manager doesn’t scan the content of your emails, texts, or other messages. It won’t flag a convincing fake email in your inbox asking for your credentials, and it won’t warn you about a phishing link unless that link connects to a domain already on its blocklist. If the link is new or hasn’t been categorized as malicious yet, it might slip through.

That’s why your judgment (and an antivirus with good phishing protection) is still key. Be extra cautious with unexpected messages that ask for login details, payment information, or urgent action. Double-check URLs, avoid clicking on anything suspicious, and when in doubt, go directly to the source. Even with powerful tools like Threat Manager in place, staying sharp—and being aware of risky habits—is your best line of defense.

Human error

Human error remains the biggest vulnerability in cybersecurity. Whether it’s reusing passwords, clicking suspicious links, or overlooking important security updates, simple habits can create real openings for attackers.

Staying secure means being proactive. Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication when possible, and stay cautious with your online behavior. Not sure how attackers even get your passwords in the first place? This guide breaks it down, step by step.

7 additional ways to protect yourself from hackers

VPNs do a lot of good—but on their own, they’re not enough. If you really want to keep hackers out, you need to cover more ground. These aren’t complicated fixes, just smart habits that stack up to stronger security. 

1. Keep your software and devices updated

Software updates can feel like a hassle, but they’re one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. Every time a company finds a security bug, they (usually) patch it in an update. If you’re not running the latest version, those holes stay open—and hackers know it.

Enable auto-updates when you can and don’t ignore those notifications for your phone, laptop, or even your browser extensions.

2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if someone gets your password, 2FA can stop them in their tracks. It adds a second step—usually a code sent to your phone or an app—before anyone can get into your account.

Use it on any account that offers it, especially email, banking, and social media. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a hacker’s job harder.

3. Use a password manager (and stop reusing passwords)

Most people use the same few passwords everywhere. That’s a problem, because password reuse is one of the easiest ways for hackers to break into multiple accounts.

A password manager like ExpressVPN Keys creates strong, unique passwords and remembers them for you. You only need to remember one master password. That’s it.

4. Be careful on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is convenient—but not always safe. Hackers can intercept traffic or set up fake hotspots that look legit (think “Free Airport Wi-Fi”).

If you need to use public Wi-Fi, avoid logging into sensitive accounts unless you’re using a secure connection (like a VPN or HTTPS). And if the network seems suspicious or doesn’t require a password, think twice.

5. Use antivirus software—and keep it updated

Antivirus isn’t old news. It’s still one of the best tools for catching malware before it takes over your system. Just make sure it’s set to update automatically, or at least check it regularly so it’s not running on old definitions.

6. Secure your home router

Most people forget about their router—but it’s the first thing hackers would target if they’re trying to get into your home network.

Start by changing the default admin password (the one it came with out of the box). Then, make sure your Wi-Fi password is strong and encryption is turned on (look for WPA2 or WPA3). Also check if your router has firmware updates—many do, and they often fix security holes.

Not sure if your router’s already been hacked? Here’s how to check.

7. Back up your data regularly

If ransomware ever locks up your files, having a recent backup can be the difference between a headache and a total disaster.

Use a combination of cloud backup and an external hard drive if you can. The key is to keep at least one copy somewhere hackers can’t reach—like offline or in a service that keeps version history.

Here’s a full list of safe browsing tips if you want to go deeper.

Bottom line: A VPN helps, but it’s not the whole picture

So, does a VPN protect you from hackers? Yes—but only from certain types of attacks. It’s a powerful tool for encrypting your traffic, hiding your IP address, and reducing your exposure to threats like man-in-the-middle attacks, IP tracking, and remote targeting. Services like ExpressVPN go even further by adding tracker blocking, secure protocols, and privacy-first features that help keep your data out of the wrong hands.

But a VPN is just one piece of your security puzzle. It won’t stop malware, phishing, or social engineering scams. It can’t stop you from inadvertently giving away your credentials, using outdated software, or downloading malware. That’s why real security comes from using multiple layers of protection—like antivirus software, strong authentication, and good digital hygiene. And don’t forget to update your apps and devices regularly—that’s often your first line of defense.

In short, don’t rely on a VPN to do everything. Use it as part of a bigger strategy to protect yourself online—and stay informed, because the best defense is knowing what actually works.