If you spend any time online, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll come across ads for VPN services that offer to keep your data and activities while you’re on the web secure. But is this really the case and should you add VPN software to your Mac? We explain what a VPN is and whether it’s safe to use on your Mac. We’re also looking into whether it can slow down your web connection and drain your battery.
Another reason why people are concerned about using a VPN is the question of whether it is legal to use a VPN. While many people want to use a VPN to be able to view content only available in another country, questions arise about the legality of this practice. We will also address this question.
What is a VPN for?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and as the name suggests, part of its purpose is privacy. The software uses encryption technology to create a secure “tunnel” through which your information flows back and forth. All your data is encrypted, which means you are protected from hackers who might try to spy on your data. This is especially useful if you access the Internet via public Wi-Fi, which is riskier than surfing from home or work. VPNs allow you to freely explore and use the Internet without worrying that someone will steal your information in the process.
Another element of this protection is that your location is hidden and you are completely anonymous. This means that no one, not your Internet Service Provider (IPS) or the sites you visit, can see information about you or what your online activity involves. This should mean, for example, that you are not pursued on the Internet by advertisements relating to products you have viewed, for example. As long as the VPN has a no-logging policy, this information will not be accessible to anyone, not even the government.
It’s worth noting that a VPN only protects other people from seeing your information, it won’t stop you from visiting a fake site (perhaps by clicking a link in a phishing email) and connecting to what you think is your real account. . A VPN will not protect you from harmful websites, so you will always need to keep your cool when interacting with emails, messages, or any other form of communication.
One of the other benefits of using a VPN that hides information about who you are and where you’re surfing from is that it means you can make it appear like you’re surfing from another country just by connecting. to a server in that country, assuming Le VPN can provide it. This is one of the most appealing parts of using a VPN for many people who want to view content only available in another country. We will discuss this example in more detail below as questions arise regarding the legality of this operation.
You can learn more in our detailed guide on how to use a VPN on a Mac.
Should I use a VPN on my Mac?
The answer to this question depends on why you want to use the VPN.
If you simply surf the web from a secure private network at home or work, you probably don’t have to worry too much about hackers trying to intercept your data. If you’re on the go and use Wi-Fi networks in cafes or airports, using a VPN is a good idea.
But do you really need a third-party VPN? Apple offers iCloud Private Relay for iCloud+ subscribers, which acts similarly to a VPN in that it encrypts all your data. But there are some restrictions: the main drawback being that it only works in Safari. So, if you surf using another web browser, your data will not be encrypted by iCloud Private Relay. Therefore, if you want protection in other web browsers, iCloud Private Relay will not be enough for you.
Likewise, if you want to take advantage of the other features that a VPN brings – like feeling like you’re in another country – iCloud Private Relay doesn’t do that. So, if you desperately want to watch your favorite show, but it is not broadcast in your country, you can use a VPN to watch it. For example, if you want to watch US-focused Our Flag Means Death on Max from the UK, or watch something on iPlayer from a country outside the UK, a VPN could let you do that. do, although you must keep in mind. that this has legal implications, which we will discuss below.
For a more in-depth look at what a VPN offers, read Do I Need a VPN?
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Is it legal to use a VPN?
Since a VPN can hide your location to make it appear like you’re somewhere else, you can trick streamers into thinking you’re in the country where the content is locked. This is useful when you want to access streaming service content that is not available in your region.
While using a VPN is not illegal (unless you reside in certain countries with particularly draconian laws, such as North Korea), using one to access content that is not intended to be available in your country could be problematic. In some cases, the content is not available where you live because there is no distribution license yet, or perhaps there is a licensing agreement which means there will be a delay before the content arrives in your country. In this case, you might think it’s not fair to have to wait because of a licensing agreement that considers your country less important than the one in which it comes first. Of course, this doesn’t entitle you to watch the movie. content, but it’s understandable that in an age where we’re used to world premieres, the idea of having to wait to watch something seems foreign.
If you pay to watch the content because you subscribe to the streamer in that country to do so, you’re in a better position than if you pirate the content and don’t pay at all. Accessing the content would likely violate the streamer’s terms and conditions, but violating these terms does not constitute a criminal act. The best they can do is cancel your contract, but it’s unlikely they will do that (they want your money after all).
Of course, when it comes to watching the BBC via a VPN, this poses more problems, as UK residents need to have a TV license to watch iPlayer, and purchasing a TV license is not an option for those living outside the UK.
Is a VPN safe to use on a Mac?
As you can see from what we’ve already covered, VPNs can be a great addition to a system if you want increased privacy and the ability to spoof your location. This doesn’t answer the main question, however: are VPNs safe to use?
Overall, yes, they are. VPNs are big business and their provision has become a competitive market in recent years. There are, however, a few caveats to keep in mind. Paid services offered by established companies would be the safest option. As with any security-related product, you rely on vendors being truthful about their claims about privacy and no-logging policies. For this reason, we recommend checking that the VPN provider is independently audited and knowing where the VPN is based, as this may impact its possibility of being forced to provide data to a government. We recommend Surfshark and NordVPN among others in our best VPN for Mac roundup.
You may be wondering if it is safe to use a free VPN. There are many free VPN services, some of which are probably reliable and safe. However, we have seen reports in the past of companies harvesting their customers’ online behaviors and then selling them to advertisers. This is why it is better to pay for a VPN rather than use a free one. Luckily, many VPNs offer good deals for the first year at least, so it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to use one – just be prepared to cancel before renewing at a higher rate.
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Does a VPN slow down your Wi-Fi?
Using a VPN can affect the speed of your Internet connection. This is because encryption and decryption take time and routing you through a VPN server is an extra step in your journey. So it’s not uncommon for those using a VPN to experience slower internet connections.
Another reason you may experience a slow Wi-Fi connection is if you are connecting to a remote server. The closer the server is to your location, the faster your connection will be.
You may also experience a slower connection if you are one of many people connecting to the same server. It is therefore recommended to choose a VPN provider that has many servers in the countries you need to “visit”.
Does using a VPN drain battery?
Just like connection speeds draining, you may also experience battery drain faster than usual. This is for the same reason: using a VPN means that additional encryption and decryption takes place. Another reason you may feel like you’re seeing more battery drain than usual could simply be that you’re streaming content, of course.
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