Virtual privacy networks are gaining popularity. Between January’s short-lived TikTok ban, the rise of AI scams and online privacy concerns, Americans are turning to VPNs to access restricted content or to increase their security. An exclusive CNET survey found that 43% of US adults are using VPNs, and nearly half do so to safeguard their online activity and IP address.
Given how much we do online, Neal O’Farrell, a cybersecurity expert with over 40 years of experience and founder of Think Security First, believes we all should be using VPNs — especially if you’re worried about someone tracking your web surfing habits.
“Instead of rolling the dice and hoping that no one’s snooping, just don’t take the chance,” said O’Farrell. Although the majority of Americans are not yet using a VPN, O’Farrell suspects that usage will increase as privacy concerns grow.
Interest in using a VPN to access banned or blocked content increased earlier this year, particularly when TikTok went down for a few hours on the night of Jan. 18. CNET’s survey found that 50% of Gen Zers and 50% of millennials used a VPN to attempt to access a restricted app or site since the start of 2025.
“The threat of a TikTok ban in the US caused a surge in VPN interest because many folks were seeking ways to bypass restricted access,” said Moe Long, a CNET senior security editor. “But in my testing, using a VPN to unblock TikTok wasn’t a viable solution. Still, this illustrates how VPNs are becoming more mainstream — we’ve also witnessed this trend with more folks turning to VPNs for streaming region-restricted content, like loading foreign Netflix libraries or watching BBC iPlayer outside of the UK.”
VPNs are legal in most countries. However, several countries ban or restrict VPN usage, and using one could lead to legal consequences. Here’s what CNET’s survey uncovered about why and how people use VPNs. If you’re interested in trying a VPN, I’ve compiled tips from online security experts.
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