Latest Guides

The core difference is simple: a VPN encrypts all of your device’s traffic and routes it through a secure server, while a proxy just reroutes a single app’s traffic — usually with no encryption. Both hide your IP address, but only a VPN actually protects your data. Here’s when to use each.

Reviewed and kept current by the Coppers.io editorial team — see how we research .

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. All your internet traffic — every app and browser — travels through it, encrypted and with your IP address masked. That makes it both a privacy and a security tool. For the mechanics, see how a VPN works .

A VPN lets remote workers connect to company resources over an encrypted tunnel, so sensitive data stays private on any network — home Wi-Fi, a café, or a hotel. It’s one of the simplest, highest-impact security tools for working away from the office. Here’s how to use one well.

Reviewed and kept current by the Coppers.io editorial team — see how we research .

Why remote workers need a VPN

• Secure data transmission — a VPN encrypts the connection between your device and the company network, protecting files, messages, and credentials from interception. (See how a VPN works .)
• Access to internal resources — many company servers, databases, and tools are restricted to specific networks; a VPN lets you reach them securely as if you were in the office.
• Privacy on untrusted networks — it masks your IP and shields your traffic on the public Wi-Fi remote workers rely on so often.

Setting up a VPN for remote work

1. Pick the right service. If your employer provides a corporate VPN, use that — it’s configured for your company’s network. For personal protection, choose a reputable provider (criteria below).
2. Install and sign in. Download the official app for your OS (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) from the provider’s site or app store — never a third-party mirror.
3. Configure sensibly. Enable auto-connect on startup and pick a server close to you (or the one your IT team specifies) for the best speed.

What to look for

• Strong encryption and modern protocols — AES-256 with WireGuard or IKEv2 (see VPN protocols ).
• A kill switch — blocks traffic if the VPN drops, preventing leaks (see VPN kill switch ).
• An audited no-logs policy and a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
• Enough simultaneous connections and broad device support.

(We’re building a fully independent “Best VPN” comparison; until it’s live, weigh providers against these criteria.)

Setting up a VPN on your iPhone takes about two minutes: install your provider’s app from the App Store, sign in, and tap connect — it configures everything for you. This guide covers the setup, what to look for in a VPN app, and how to get the best privacy and speed on iOS.

Reviewed and kept current by the Coppers.io editorial team — see how we research .

What a VPN does on your iPhone

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your iPhone and a remote server, masking your IP address and protecting all your traffic. On a phone that constantly hops between mobile data and public Wi-Fi, that’s especially valuable — it keeps your data private on networks you don’t control. (For the fundamentals, see how a VPN works .)

In most of the world — including the US, UK, Canada, and across the EU — using a VPN is completely legal. A handful of countries ban or tightly restrict them, and everywhere, a VPN doesn’t make otherwise-illegal activity legal. Here’s the full picture of where VPNs stand.

Reviewed and kept current by the Coppers.io editorial team — see how we research . This article is general information, not legal advice — check your local laws if you’re unsure.