I was wrong about VPNs

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About this video

In a video he discloses is sponsored by NordVPN — saying that means he has to be extra harsh — NetworkChuck busts six VPN myths to help viewers decide if they need a personal VPN. Myth 1, that HTTPS makes VPNs useless: he explains a personal VPN forms an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server so you appear to be on its network, and while HTTPS/TLS encrypts site content, it does not hide which sites you visit or how often; in his Wireshark/Kali lab demo the visited domain is still sniffable, including via SNI even with secure DNS over HTTPS, whereas with the VPN on the capture shows only WireGuard traffic. Myth 2, that a VPN just shifts trust from the ISP to the VPN company: he agrees, citing PureVPN’s ’no logs’ claim being contradicted in a stalking case, and says a provider must be verified — he gives his own reasons for trusting NordVPN as its repeated independent no-logs audits, RAM-based servers and Panama jurisdiction, while admitting it ultimately comes down to trust. Myth 3, that a VPN makes you invisible: busted — it hides your IP, but he says tracking also uses logged-in accounts, cookies and browser fingerprinting, and a ‘Cover Your Tracks’ test shows his browser unprotected. Myth 4, that a VPN keeps you safe from hackers: busted on its own — he says phishing, fake sites and malicious downloads are what actually compromise people, though he describes extra security features NordVPN bundles beyond the tunnel. Myth 5, that it is only about privacy: he frames hiding your IP/location as anti-harassment protection against DDoS and swatting, plus geo-unblocking while travelling, noting a dedicated IP can reduce blocks but is tied to your account. Myth 6, that normal people never need one: his verdict is ‘sometimes’ — event-driven use such as travel and public Wi-Fi, geo-blocks, or law changes he cites such as the UK age-verification rollout in summer 2025. Overall: a VPN hides metadata from an ISP or local sniffer and shifts trust to a provider you choose, but it does not make you invisible or hacker-proof.

Key takeaways

HTTPS encrypts content but not metadata: in his lab demo, visited domains remain visible via DNS/SNI to a sniffer or ISP, while a VPN tunnel hides all traffic, not just the browser
A VPN shifts trust rather than removing it — judge a provider on independent no-logs audits, server design and jurisdiction, as he says he does with sponsor NordVPN
A VPN does not make you invisible: logged-in accounts, cookies and browser fingerprinting can still track you even with your IP hidden
A VPN alone does not stop the attacks that actually compromise people, such as phishing and malicious downloads; good security hygiene is still required
His verdict is situational use — public/travel Wi-Fi, geo-unblocking and hiding your IP/location against harassment — rather than needing a VPN on at all times

Episode details: published June 15, 2026 · 16:37 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are NetworkChuck’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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