What Is a VPN and Why You Should Use One in 2026
The internet was not built with privacy in mind.
Every time you open a website, send a message, or connect to WiFi, information about you is being shared. Sometimes that data goes to companies. Sometimes it goes to advertisers. Sometimes it goes to governments. Often, you have no idea where it ends up.
This is where VPNs come in.
VPNs are one of the simplest tools people can use to protect their privacy online. Yet most people either do not understand what a VPN is, or assume it is something only tech experts need.
This article explains what a VPN is, how it works, why people use one, and what most VPN companies do not tell you. It also explains why BuycatVPN was built and how it is different.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network.
In simple terms, a VPN creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet.
Normally, when you browse the web, your internet service provider can see which websites you visit. Websites can see your approximate location. Third parties can track your activity using IP addresses.
A VPN changes that by routing your internet traffic through a secure server and encrypting it along the way.
When you use a VPN:
- Your real IP address is hidden
- Your internet traffic is encrypted
- Your online activity becomes harder to track
Think of it like mailing a letter.
Without a VPN, the envelope is transparent. Anyone handling it can read the contents.
With a VPN, the letter is sealed inside a locked envelope.
How does a VPN work?
When you turn on a VPN, a few things happen behind the scenes.
- Your device connects to a VPN server instead of directly to the internet
- All data leaving your device is encrypted
- Websites see the VPN server’s location, not yours
- Your internet provider can no longer see what you are doing online
This process happens automatically once the VPN is enabled. You do not need technical knowledge to use one.
What happens when you browse without a VPN?
Browsing without a VPN means:
- Your internet provider can log your activity
- Websites can track your location
- Data brokers can build profiles about you
- Public WiFi networks can expose your information
This does not mean something bad will happen every time. It means the risk is always there.
For many people, the issue is not about hiding anything illegal. It is about basic digital dignity.
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, yes.
Using a VPN is legal in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and many other regions. Millions of people use VPNs every day for work, travel, and privacy.
Some countries restrict or regulate VPN usage. If you live in one of those regions, you should check local laws.
A VPN does not give you permission to break the law. It simply protects your connection.
Why do people use VPNs?
VPN usage has grown rapidly over the past decade. People use VPNs for many practical reasons.
Protecting public WiFi connections
Airports, cafes, hotels, and coworking spaces often use unsecured networks. A VPN protects your data from being intercepted on public WiFi.
Limiting tracking and profiling
Many websites and apps track users aggressively. A VPN reduces how much data can be collected about you.
Bypassing censorship
In some countries, access to news sites, messaging apps, or social platforms is restricted. VPNs allow people to access information freely.
Traveling safely
When traveling internationally, VPNs help secure connections and access familiar services.
Personal privacy
Some people simply do not want their browsing habits logged and sold.
Are all VPNs safe?
No.
This is where things become complicated.
Not all VPNs are created equal. Some VPNs log user activity. Some sell data to third parties. Some are owned by companies with ties to surveillance infrastructure.
Many VPN companies market themselves as privacy tools while quietly operating in ways that undermine privacy.
Key things to consider when choosing a VPN:
- Does it log user activity?
- Who owns the company?
- Where is it based?
- What laws does it operate under?
- Does it have a history of data sharing or surveillance ties?
These questions matter more than speed tests or flashy ads.
Why VPN ownership matters
When you use a VPN, you are placing a high level of trust in that company.
A VPN provider can technically see traffic passing through its servers. This is why ownership, governance, and values matter.
Some of the most well known VPN brands are owned by corporations with backgrounds in data collection, advertising technology, or military intelligence.
That does not automatically make them unsafe, but it does raise serious questions about incentives and accountability.
Privacy tools should not depend on blind trust.
The problem with the modern VPN industry
The VPN industry has become crowded and opaque.
Many VPN brands:
- Are owned by parent companies most users have never heard of
- Share infrastructure across multiple products
- Use aggressive marketing without transparency
- Rely on vague claims like no logs without verification
In some cases, VPN companies are connected to surveillance ecosystems that contradict their stated mission.
This creates a serious trust gap.
Why BuycatVPN exists
BuycatVPN was built because we saw that trust gap and chose not to ignore it.
At Boycat, we believe infrastructure reflects values. The tools people rely on for safety and privacy should align with the people who use them.
BuycatVPN was created to offer a privacy tool without ties to military surveillance networks or spyware history.
It is not built to extract data. It is built to protect users.
How BuycatVPN is different
No Israeli military ties
BuycatVPN is built without Israeli military involvement or spyware legacy. This matters to users who care about where their tools come from and what systems they support.
No data selling
BuycatVPN does not sell user data or build tracking profiles.
Privacy-first design
Encryption is standard. Protection is simple. There are no hidden settings required to stay safe.
Simple to use
BuycatVPN is designed for everyday people. Turn it on and you are protected.
Desktop and mobile availability
BuycatVPN is available through the Boycat app and as a desktop application via our website.
Privacy, surveillance, and global impact
Surveillance technology is often tested in places with fewer protections before being exported globally.
Many digital monitoring systems were refined through the control of vulnerable populations.
Choosing privacy tools that are not tied to those systems is not just a technical decision. It is an ethical one.
Digital infrastructure shapes power.
Who BuycatVPN is for
BuycatVPN is for:
- People who want privacy without complexity
- Travelers and remote workers
- Journalists and creators
- Students and families
- Anyone who cares where their tools come from
It is for people who believe privacy should not come with moral compromise.
How to get BuycatVPN
BuycatVPN is available now.
You can download it through the Boycat app or use the desktop version at boycat.io/vpn
Download for iOS
Download for Android
Setup takes minutes.
Available on iOS, Android, Desktop, Mac and more!
Frequently asked questions about VPNs
Do VPNs slow down internet speed?
Some VPNs can slightly reduce speed. BuycatVPN is optimized for everyday use.
Can a VPN make me anonymous?
A VPN improves privacy but does not guarantee total anonymity. It is one layer of protection.
Do I need a VPN at home?
Even at home, a VPN limits tracking and protects browsing data.
Can VPNs be trusted?
Trust depends on the provider. Transparency and ownership matter.
Final thoughts
A VPN will not fix the internet.
But it gives people a way to protect themselves within it.
BuycatVPN exists because privacy should not require compromise, blind trust, or silence about where tools come from.
Privacy is not extreme.
It is foundational.