TL;DR
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic. It hides your real IP address and encrypts data between your device and the VPN server. Use VPNs on public WiFi, to access company resources securely, or when working with sensitive systems. They don't provide complete anonymity but add an important security layer.
The Simple Explanation
Without a VPN, your internet traffic goes directly to websites, and your ISP or anyone on your network can see what sites you visit. With a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and routed through a VPN server first. The websites see the VPN's IP, not yours, and eavesdroppers just see encrypted data.
When to Use a VPN
- Public WiFi: Coffee shops, airports, hotels
- Accessing admin panels: Extra security layer
- Company resources: Required by many organizations
- Testing geo-features: Simulate different locations
- Remote database access: Secure connection to production
VPN for Developers
Corporate VPNs
Many companies require VPN to access internal systems:
- Source code repositories
- Internal documentation
- Production servers and databases
- Admin dashboards
Personal VPNs
Consumer VPN services for individual protection:
- Mullvad, ProtonVPN (privacy-focused)
- NordVPN, ExpressVPN (popular consumer options)
- Tailscale, WireGuard (for self-hosted/team use)
What VPNs Don't Protect
- Browser fingerprinting: Sites can still identify your browser
- Logged-in accounts: Google knows it's you when logged in
- Malware: VPNs don't scan for viruses
- Phishing: You can still click malicious links
Trust matters. Your VPN provider can see your traffic instead of your ISP. Choose providers with no-log policies and good reputations. Free VPNs often sell your data.
When should developers use a VPN?
Use a VPN when accessing admin panels or databases over public WiFi. Use it to secure access to internal company resources. Some companies require VPN to access production systems. Also useful when testing geo-restricted features or services.
Does a VPN make me completely anonymous?
No. VPNs hide your IP from websites but the VPN provider can see your traffic. Your browser fingerprint, cookies, and login sessions can still identify you. VPNs protect your connection from local eavesdroppers but are not complete anonymity tools.
Should I use a VPN for all my development work?
Not necessarily. VPNs add latency which can slow down development. Use them when on untrusted networks or accessing sensitive systems. On your home network with HTTPS everywhere, a VPN provides limited additional benefit for normal browsing and coding.