VPN Myths (UK, 2025): 21 Misconceptions Debunked

Myth 1: “VPNs are illegal in the UK.”

False. VPNs are legal in the UK. What matters is how you use them. Using a VPN to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi, to avoid profiling, or to access your own subscriptions while travelling is legal; illegal acts remain illegal with or without a VPN.

See also: Is VPN legal in the UK?

Myth 2: “A VPN makes me 100% anonymous.”

False. VPNs hide your IP from sites and your traffic from local observers, but browsers and apps can still expose identity through logins, cookies, device IDs, and behaviour. For stronger privacy, combine a VPN with sensible browser hygiene, tracker blocking, and minimal account linking.

Myth 3: “VPNs are dangerous, they attract hackers.”

False. A reputable VPN client reduces risk on open Wi-Fi and protects DNS. It doesn’t “attract” attackers to your device; if anything, it shrinks what others can see.

Myth 4: “Using a VPN is the same as using Tor.”

False. Tor is a multi-hop anonymity network with volunteer relays; VPNs are commercial, single-hop (or optional multi-hop) services optimised for speed and reliability. For most UK users, a VPN fits daily browsing and streaming; Tor is for specialised privacy use-cases.

Myth 5: “VPNs always slow the internet to a crawl.”

Outdated. With WireGuard (or NordLynx), overhead is minimal. If speeds drop, it’s often an overloaded node, poor Wi-Fi, or a suboptimal protocol choice. Fixes: pick a low-load UK server, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet, try UDP first, switch to TCP/443 on strict networks.

Myth 6: “5G makes VPNs unnecessary.”

False. 5G improves bandwidth and latency; it doesn’t erase privacy concerns. Your mobile provider still sees DNS and destinations without a VPN. A VPN limits profiling and adds protection on random Wi-Fi.

Myth 7: “If a server is in London, it’s always fastest.”

Not always. The nearest city isn’t guaranteed to be the least congested. Many providers show live server load — try a less busy UK location for peak-hour stability.

Myth 8: “OpenVPN is more secure, so it’s always better.”

Not necessarily. OpenVPN is mature; WireGuard’s modern crypto and lean codebase usually win for performance and stability on UK networks. Use OpenVPN TCP/443 mainly to bypass strict firewalls in hotels/offices.

Deep dive: WireGuard vs OpenVPN vs IKEv2 (UK).

Myth 9: “No-logs = zero data ever.”

Misleading. “No-logs” means the provider doesn’t keep activity logs such as visited sites or source IP correlation. Minimal operational data (like active session count) may exist transiently. Look for independent audits and a clear policy.

Myth 10: “A VPN blocks all trackers and ads.”

Partially false. Some clients offer DNS-level blocking (e.g., Threat Protection/CleanWeb), but not every tracker travels via DNS. Use a privacy-respecting browser and extensions alongside the VPN.

Myth 11: “DNS leaks are a thing of the past.”

False. Misconfiguration or app bugs can expose DNS. Always test after first setup and after updates. If leaks show your ISP resolvers, toggle “Use provider DNS” and reconnect.

Guide: IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks — UK.

Myth 12: “A kill switch is only for hackers.”

False. A kill switch prevents traffic if the tunnel drops — vital on cafés, trains and hotels. On Android 9+ you can enforce this system-wide in Settings → Network & internet → VPN → gear → Always-on + Block connections without VPN.

More setup tips: Best VPN Settings (UK).

Myth 13: “Streaming never works with a VPN.”

False. Platforms rotate detection heuristics; reliable providers rotate endpoints. If you see a proxy/unblocker error, rotate UK server → force-quit the app → relaunch. On strict networks, try TCP/443. Browser playback can work where app GPS checks fail.

Myth 14: “You must use a special ‘streaming’ server.”

Sometimes helpful, not mandatory. Recommended pools are maintained more actively. If performance is poor at peak times, try a second recommended pool or a less busy city.

Playbooks: BBC iPlayer with a VPN • Netflix UK with a VPN

Myth 15: “Smart TVs can’t use VPNs.”

False. Many TVs run Android TV apps. Otherwise, use a router-level VPN to cover your entire home network. Ethernet on TV boxes is more stable than crowded Wi-Fi.

Myth 16: “Set it and forget it forever.”

Not quite. Initial setup is quick, but you should verify after updates and when changing networks (hotel/corporate). A 30-second leak test and a server rotation save headaches.

Myth 17: “Split tunneling is unsafe.”

Depends. Split tunneling is a practical tool: exclude UK banking/work apps that distrust VPN IPs, keep browsers and streaming inside the tunnel. It’s about control, not risk.

Myth 18: “IKEv2 is obsolete.”

Not obsolete. It roams well between Wi-Fi and 4G/5G, but Android clients increasingly prioritise WireGuard for speed and simplicity. Keep IKEv2 as a fallback if your provider supports it.

Myth 19: “If TCP/443 is slower, it’s broken.”

Expected trade-off. TCP/443 resembles normal HTTPS and bypasses strict filters but can be slower under congestion. Use it as a tactical mode (hotels/offices), switch back to UDP/WireGuard for everyday speed.

Myth 20: “Battery drain is unavoidable.”

Not with the right setup. WireGuard is efficient. Disable aggressive battery optimisations for the VPN app and keep “connection status” notifications — Android is less likely to kill a foreground service.

Myth 21: “All providers are the same.”

False. Look for independent audits, proven incident handling, stable UK infrastructure, clear privacy terms, and features you actually use (kill switch, split tunneling, DNS protection, multi-hop if needed).