Set up a VPN in 5 minutes

Why a VPN in the first place?

Let's be honest: a VPN won't make you invisible on the Internet. But it does two very concrete things. First, it encrypts everything leaving your device. Your ISP, the person on the same Wi-Fi at Starbucks, your boss if you're on the office network — nobody can read what you're doing. Second, it hides your real IP address. Websites see the VPN server's IP, not yours.

Is that enough to be "anonymous"? No. Google still knows who you are if you're logged in. But it's an extra layer of protection, and on public Wi-Fi, it's frankly essential.

Step 1: Choose the right VPN

I'll cut to the chase. If you're starting out and want something reliable without the hassle:

• ProtonVPN — Swiss, open source, decent free plan. Our recommendation for most people.
• Mullvad — if you want maximum privacy. 5 EUR/month, no account needed, cash payment possible.
• NordVPN — the fastest in our tests. Aggressive marketing, but the product is solid.

A word of advice: avoid completely free VPNs you've never heard of. If they're not charging you, you are the product.

Step 2: Install the app

1. Go to the VPN's official website (never a third-party site).
2. Download the app for your system (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS).
3. Install it. Takes 30 seconds, nothing to configure at this point.
4. Create an account if needed (Mullvad doesn't require one).

Step 3: The settings that matter

Once the app is installed, go to settings. There are 3 things to enable:

Step 4: Connect

Click "Quick Connect" or choose a server in the country of your choice. If you just want protection, pick the geographically closest server — it'll be the fastest.

Step 5: Verify it works

Once connected, check that everything works on ipleak.net. You want to see:

• An IP address different from your usual one.
• DNS servers matching your VPN (not your ISP).
• No WebRTC leak.

FAQ

Is using a VPN legal?

Yes, perfectly legal in France and throughout the European Union.

Is a free VPN worth it?

Free ProtonVPN is the only one I recommend without reservation. No bandwidth limit, no ads, no data selling. But you only get 3 countries and speed is throttled.

Will a VPN slow my connection?

Slightly. Expect 5-15% loss with a good VPN on a nearby server. With WireGuard, it's barely noticeable for normal use.

Should I keep the VPN on all the time?

On public Wi-Fi: absolutely. At home: up to you. If you mind your ISP seeing your browsing, keep it on.