Virtual private networks have become a crucial tool for navigating an increasingly restricted internet in 2025. They offer a lifeline to digital freedom and security, helping users bypass censorship, secure their data, and protect their privacy from prying eyes. As online restrictions grow, VPNs are more essential than ever for safeguarding your digital life.

In the US, legislation in several states has blocked adult websites or placed them behind strict age gates. Regional policies limit access to various types of content, including streaming services and political materials. As more sites and services become geographically restricted, more individuals are using VPNs to bypass these blocks, protect their digital freedoms, and safeguard their data.

Also: The best VPN services (and how to choose the right one for you)
Beyond unblocking adult websites or region-locked media, many users worry about government surveillance, data retention laws, and the sale of personal browsing data by ISPs. A VPN addresses these privacy risks by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address.
However, a VPN alone may not provide a comprehensive solution for network security or privacy concerns. To truly safeguard your data and enhance network privacy, combining a VPN with robust protocols like WireGuard and integrating them into advanced hardware setups (such as Firewalla and others mentioned below) can make a significant difference.

Also: How AI will transform cybersecurity in 2025 – and supercharge cybercrime
This guide outlines how to pair the open-source WireGuard protocol with Proton VPN, a Swiss-based provider celebrated for its strong privacy policies, and to integrate them into router-based setups for entire-network coverage. I’ll also explore advanced techniques like policy-based routing, IP passthrough, zero-trust segmentation, and even building your firewall router on Linux or FreeBSD.

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Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/you-need-a-router-based-vpn-in-2025-heres-why-and-how-to-set-one-up/