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Virtual privacy networks gain popularity. Between January Short -term techokAscending Fraud from artificial intelligence and Online privacy fearsAmericans turn to VPNS Access to restricted content Or to increase their security. An exclusive CNET survey found that 43 % of adults are used VPNSAlmost half of them do this to protect their activity and the IP address online.
Looking at how much we do online, Neil OvarerCyber security expert with more than 40 years of experience and founder of Think Security first believes that we should all use VPNS – especially if you are concerned about tracking someone your web browsing habits.
“Instead of rolling dice in the hope that no one will contradict, just do not seize the opportunity,” Ovarrell said. Although the majority of Americans have not yet been used VPN, O’Farrell is suspected that use will increase with the growth of privacy concerns.
Interest increased the use of VPN to access the prohibited or banned content earlier this year, especially When Tiktok fell For a few hours on the night of January 18. The CNET poll found that 50 % of Gen Zers and 50 % of the millennial generation used VPN to try to access an application or a restricted site since the beginning of 2025.
“The threat of a Tiktok ban in the United States increases VPN because many people were looking for ways to overcome restricted access,” he said. Not longA major security editor. “But in my test, the use of VPN to cancel the Tiktok ban was not an applicable solution. However, this explains how VPNS has become more prevalent-we also witnessed this trend as more people turned into VPNS to the registered content in the region, such as loading foreign Netflix libraries or watching BBC Itplayer outside the United Kingdom.”
VPNS is legal in most countries. However, many countries prohibit or restrict the use of VPN, and the use of one may lead to legal consequences. Here’s what a CNET poll discovered about the reason and how people use VPNS. If you are interested in trying VPN, you have collected tips from online security experts.
- privacy: More than half of the adults who used VPN (52 %) use one to protect their IP address when using the Internet.
- Using mobile phone: 51 % of those who use VPN do this on their phones, followed by 50 % who use VPN on a computer or tablet.
- By generationVPNS is used more by young generations – 50 % of Gen Z and Millennials have been used this year.
- Save money: 23 % of adults use VPN to save money, primarily on the costs of broadcasting services.
- Access to prohibited applications: Since January 1, 2024, 17 % of adults have tried to access a banned website or an application in their area. Since the beginning of 2025, 50 % of Gen Zers and 50 % of the Millennium Millennium VPN have been used to try to access an application or a restricted site.
Who uses VPNS?
CNET found that 43 % of adults use VPN, the O’Farrel number expects to rise as people increase their data. Here is how this number collapses:
Men tend to use VPN more than women. Half of the men’s survey or currently used VPN, compared to 36 % of women. Young generations tend to use more VPNS, with 50 % of both Gen Zers and Millennials they use VPN.
Once people try VPN, they seem to adhere to it; 10 % say they used or tried to use VPN for a year to two years, while 19 % say they used one for more than two years. Here is a closer look:
More people protect their phones with VPNS
In the past, VPNS has been commonly used on LED computers and TabletsEspecially for work or l Sports stream. However, 51 % of adults are now used VPNS on their phones. Followed by 50 % who use it on a personal computer, laptop or tablet.
O’Farrell believes use VPN to use a mobile phone wise.
“We forget that we are dealing with many sensitive discussions and transactions on our phones,” said Ovarer. “The threats are everywhere, and if you use your phone as a daily tool, you must protect it.”
If you are thinking about VPN for your phone, you will not need to look specifically for Mobile VPNHe said for a long time.
“The best VPNS is smoothly switched between Wi-Fi networks and mobile networks, and in my test, I made all the main VPN smoothly on phones and computers,” said Long. Most VPNS Android, iOS and iPados added, Long.
Why do people use VPNS?
Most adults from the United States resort to VPN for its basic functions – to protect their IP address. The second main reason is to maintain their online activity. Other reasons from the video game flow ranges to access to content and restricted applications.
We have asked experts to weigh the most important reasons that people use VPN, and here are what we have learned.
privacy
Nearly half (47 %) of adults use VPNS to maintain their online activity.
VPN directs online traffic through Cheerful virtual serverPreventing applications and websites from viewing your IP address by hiding it entitled IP for your VPN server. this It protects your actual IP addressAnd as well as your Internet service provider, Your activity on the Internet and your website.
There are limits to what VPN protects. Your payment information, cookies and entry login can not be secured.
If you are using the general Wi-Fi network, such as a cafe or an airport, O’Farrell recommends to connect to VPN. CNET technology writer, Attila ThomascikHe added that high-quality VPN is usually fast enough for regular Internet activities, even on the General Wi-Fi.
Access to prohibited content
Access to the prohibited content in your area is another common cause that people use VPNS, according to CNET results.
Users may contact VPN to watch closed sports at the regional level or a Show only in another country. Perhaps others have tried VPN to reach Tiktok within the hours that decreased in January.
Since January 1, 2024, 17 % of the United States adults have tried to access an application or site banned in their area, such as Tiktok. Among those who use VPN to access illegal or prohibited applications, 45 % began using VPN last year.
You cannot always use VPN to access prohibited applications. For example, he has long tried to reach Tiktok through VPN during the application A temporary ban last month He could not. Some websites and applications have protection walls and VPN discovery features that can prevent you. Thomaschik said the content can also be limited to certain areas due to licensing agreements and copyright restrictions.
It is also important to understand whether access to content is legally in your country. For example, access to a regionally banned TV program is illegal, as long as the use of VPN is legal in your country. However, there are other repercussions that you can face. If access to prohibited content violates your broadcast service user agreement, your account can be suspended.
You should never use VPN to reach illegal content or violate VPN laws in your country. If you do this, you may encounter fines or prison.
“If it is banned in a specific country, the authorities in this country will have the right to reach those who reach that.”
VPNS or restricted in countries below:
- Belarus
- China
- Iran
- Oman
- Russia
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
Save money on broadcasting
The use of VPN to change the server site can help lock low prices on elements or services, which may be cheaper in other cases, regions or countries.
We have found that 19 % of adults who use VPNS do so Broadcast Service costs, including television, sports and music. This is divided into 12 % who use VPNS to provide television broadcasting, 9 % to save money on sports broadcast and 8 % on music broadcast, with some respondents use VPNS to provide more than one broadcast service.
For example, long It was tested using VPN to save money on broadcast content It managed to save $ 6 to rent a movie using a VPN to change its position to the United Kingdom.
If you want to try to use VPN to save broadcast costs, make sure to check the terms and conditions of the service for any language prohibiting the use of VPNS.
VPNS can also help you save money on travel, but only 9 % of VPN users use only one to provide aircraft tickets, hotels, rented cars and other travel expenses. When using VPN to get the best travel price, the worker does not forget to exchange rates and international transactions fees.
Are you interested in the VPN experience?
CNET experts have tested VPNS for more than a decade, and they tested a practical to help you find the right. If you are thinking about the VPN experience, here is what CNET experts say to search for.
Privacy standards
CNET editors recommend searching for VPN with AES 256 -bit encryption to hide sensitive information, and not to retreat to prevent any of your online activity from being saved by your VPN provider. Find other privacy features as well – such as DNS leakage and the killing key.
Recommend Tomaschek Expressvpnand NordVPN and VPN proton As quality providers.
beware: VPNS is not a security measure to protect you from ID theft or fraud. Yes, you will protect your site, but this does not prevent your device from getting a virus or harmful programs. Tomaschek recommends both VPN and Anti -virus program Because it serves different purposes. Some VPNS now provides identity theft protection Expressvpn Defender And NordVPN’s NordProtect.
Internet speed
Many VPNS will slow down the Internet speed by 50 % or more, but VPN, which is quickly not slowed up by 25 % or less. If you use VPN to flow or play video games, you will need to find one with low speed loss. Recommend Tomascheck NordVPN.
Service and sites
While the choice of your VPN narrows, pay attention to the number of servers and sites offered by VPN. The higher the number of servers and sites that have, the more options you will get to overcome geological restrictions and reach a wide range of content from different countries. More importantly, you will have other options if the server decreases in one place.
VPN support
If you plan to use VPN on multiple devices, make sure that VPN can handle it simultaneously. Some VPN devices allow eight to 10 devices at one time, while others have no limit. It is also important to ensure your VPN support your operating system. Some VPNS may be better compatible with Windows and MacOS, while portable VPNS may work better on iOS and Android. Your device may also run a portion of your VPN performance. We recommend looking at CNET’s Best VPNS To help you narrow the search scope.
methodology
All numbers, unless otherwise, from Yougov PLC. The total sample size was 2429 adults, of whom 1057 used VPN ever. Field work was conducted between 3 to 5 February 2025. The online survey was conducted. The numbers have been weight and all American adults (between the ages of 18 or more) are represented.