What VPNs Can and Can't Stop: 8 Myths and 11 Threats

“If you turn on VPN, you won’t be hacked.”

actually VPN only reduces spying and interception of network sections, but damages from phishing, malicious apps, and password leaks remain the same.

reason Much of the damage we call hacking begins with user input and devices, not the network. If you enter your password on a fake login page, your information will be handed over to the attackers, whether encrypted or not. An attack in which a password leaked from one service is used to log in to another service is also unrelated to the network section. This attack occurs when passwords are shared in multiple places. NIST's Remote Access Security Guide (SP 800-46) also describes VPN as a means of protecting communication paths, leaving device and account protection under separate control.

What to do instead Turn on two-step verification for important accounts and use different passwords for each service. Instead of using links sent by text or email, access the official app or an address you know.

“If you only use HTTPS sites, you don’t need a VPN.”

actually HTTPS protects the page content, but the domain you are accessing, DNS queries, and your IP are visible to networks and sites.

reason HTTPS (TLS) encrypts content between your browser and the site. However, which server you are connecting to is revealed to the network by its IP address and TLS server name (SNI). DNS queries usually come out in clear text. This information may be used by public Wi-Fi operators or mobile carriers to tell which services you visit. Some app communications do not use HTTPS.

What to do instead When using public Wi-Fi or unfamiliar networks, use both VPN and HTTPS. The two protect different sections. Rules for public Wi-Fi Public Wi-Fi Safety RulesI organized it in .

“Incognito mode and VPN are the same thing”

actually Incognito mode is a browser function that does not leave visit history, cookies, or input records on your device, and does not change the network path or IP.

reason Chrome Help Center's incognito mode instructions explain that even in an incognito window, your activity may be visible to the sites you visit, your network operator, and your Internet service provider. What Incognito mode deals with is the records inside your device. What a VPN covers is the path outside your device.

What to do instead Use both together as needed. Incognito mode if you want to leave no records on a public PC, or VPN if you want to protect your route on public networks. To use StageVPN for Chrome in an incognito window, you must turn on 'Allow in incognito mode' in the extension management screen.

“Turn on VPN to make your internet faster”

actually Since one route is added, the speed is usually similar or slightly slower, and the perceived speed depends on the server distance and line conditions.

reason When you turn on a VPN, all communication goes through the VPN server to its destination. The further away the server is, the longer the round trip time will be. Encryption and decryption also require computation. WireGuard, which the StageVPN app uses, is designed to reduce this burden, but it cannot eliminate it. The delay will be greater if the country where the VPN server is located is far from the country where the destination server is located. There may be exceptions where a VPN can speed up around that limitation if your carrier slows down certain traffic, but this is not the typical result.

What to do instead If the perceived speed is low, switch to a nearby server and compare. StageVPN doesn't promise numerical speeds.

“When you turn on your VPN, personalized ads and tracking disappear.”

actually Advertising and tracking primarily relies on cookies, login accounts, and device identifiers, so it continues even when your IP changes.

reason Advertisers link your activity to cookies stored on your browser and your login account. Browser fingerprinting is a technique that identifies users using a combination of device characteristics such as screen size, font, and browser version. These methods do not use IP addresses. What changes with a VPN is the approximate location estimated by your IP. StageVPN does not offer any features to filter out ads or tracking scripts.

What to do instead Use your browser’s tracking prevention settings and cookie management functions. Log out of services you are not using. You can also reset your smartphone's advertising identifier or set tracking limits. Items that can be changed directly from your smartphone 10 smartphone privacy settingsI organized it in .

“VPN filters out malicious apps and phishing”

actually Malicious programs installed on your device operate inside the tunnel, that is, on your device, so the VPN does not filter them out.

reason A VPN encrypts communications leaving your device. Communications sent by malicious apps are also transmitted in the same way. The same goes for phishing pages. Since the attacker's site can also use HTTPS, you cannot judge it as secure just by displaying a lock in the address bar. The protection country of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) continues to report cases of smishing disguised as delivery, payment, or account verification. StageVPN does not offer file scanning or automatic blocking of dangerous sites as part of its offering.

What to do instead Install apps only from trusted paths, such as official stores. Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Do not click on links in texts or emails, but check directly using the official app or an address you know.

“With a VPN, you can use any overseas service and there is no legal liability.”

actually Each service has its own terms of use and local policies, and using a VPN does not relieve you of legal responsibility for your online behavior.

reason In addition to your IP, the site determines your region based on your payment method's country, account settings, and device information. If you connect to a domestic service that restricts foreign IPs through a Korean server, you can often use it as usual, but it depends on the service policy. StageVPN does not guarantee access to specific services or content. The laws and terms of service of the country you use apply as is. Some countries restrict the use of VPNs, so please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas safe travel guidelines before leaving the country (as of September 2026).

What to do instead Before traveling, check the overseas connection settings for your bank and frequently used services. StageVPN’s prohibited activities are: Service Use PolicyWell, the travel preparations are Why you need a VPN abroadand Overseas travel VPN usage guideI organized it in .

“When you turn on VPN, you become anonymous”

actually The IP shown on the site will only change, and when you log in, the service will recognize you by your account and the VPN operator will have access records in accordance with the law.

reason A VPN is a tool that makes it difficult to spy on communications in the middle of a network. It is not a tool to make users anonymous. The site recognizes you through your login account and cookies. The VPN operator is in a position to view connection IP and destination information. Korea's Enforcement Decree of the Communications Secrets Protection Act requires that Internet log records be kept for at least three months. StageVPN follows this standard by setting a retention period of 93 days and automatically deleting it after the period.

What to do instead Check what your VPN operator logs, know the terms, and write. Whichever VPN service you choose, make sure they have documented disclosures about what they keep, how long they keep it, and how they delete it, rather than advertising that they have 'no records'. The numbers below are StageVPN’s conditions.