VPN, DNS Filters, Traffic Obfuscation for Data Protection

The volume of threats related to data leaks and user activity monitoring is growing annually. According to the Cisco Security Report, approximately 70% of internet traffic passes through public networks, which lack protection against interception. Additionally, companies and websites collect vast amounts of user behaviour data, such as search queries and browsing history. Therefore, security tools are becoming an essential part of digital hygiene, especially in business. Among the most effective are VPNs, DNS filters, and traffic obfuscation technologies, each addressing different threats.

VPN: Protecting Your Connection and Hiding Your Real IP

VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and your provider’s server. Everything you send online first goes to the VPN server, then to the website or service. The provider only sees that you’re connected to the VPN, but not which websites you visit.

What’s important when choosing a VPN:

• Log policy. If the provider keeps logs (activity logs), they can be shared with third parties upon request. Privacy policies should clearly state what data is collected, for how long, and for what purpose. Statements like “we may share data with partners for improvement” raise concerns.
• Jurisdiction. The provider’s country of registration determines which laws it is subject to. Sometimes a service is technically sound but operates in a country with aggressive regulations that require storage or disclosure of data upon request. This isn’t always critical, but it’s worth considering.
• Supported protocols. Modern and fast protocols include WireGuard and OpenVPN. They provide a balance of speed and security. If the list only includes older PPTP/L2TP, it’s best to skip them.
• Transparency and independent audits. Some services undergo external code and infrastructure audits (security audits). This is a plus: while it doesn’t guarantee anything, it does show that the company is prepared for external scrutiny.

When is a VPN especially necessary?

• Connecting to public Wi-Fi (cafes, hotels, airports);
• Remote access to corporate resources;
• Accessing personal accounts and online banking while away from home;

It’s important to understand: a VPN doesn’t make you “invisible,” but it does significantly complicate traffic interception and analysis.

DNS Filters: A Simple Way to Block Malicious Websites

DNS is the Internet’s “phone book”: you enter a website name, and the system translates it into an IP address. A DNS filter replaces your provider’s standard DNS servers with secure ones and checks each domain against a database of malicious addresses. If a domain is blacklisted, the connection simply fails.

What DNS filters actually do:

• Block known phishing and fraudulent sites;
• Cut domains known to distribute malware;
• Can block trackers and some advertising networks;
• Work before a page loads, preventing the browser from opening it at all.

Practical Applications:

• Installed on a router to protect all devices on the network (PCs, smartphones, smart TVs) at once.
• Can be configured separately on a laptop or phone (via network settings or separate apps).
• Useful for families with children—they allow you to restrict access to unwanted content at the network level.

A DNS filter doesn’t protect against everything, but it greatly reduces the chance of accidentally going to the wrong place, especially if the user is tired, in a hurry, or doesn’t read the address bar. What to look for when choosing:

• Public privacy policy (what is logged and for how long);
• Ability to flexibly configure blocking categories (adult content, malicious sites, trackers, etc.);
• Response speed—a good DNS shouldn’t slow down website loading.

Traffic Obfuscation: Protection from DPI and Strict Restrictions

Many networks use Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). It lets you not only see which addresses you’re connecting to, but also which protocols you’re using: VPN, Tor, streaming, P2P, etc. In some countries and corporate networks, these protocols may be blocked.

Traffic obfuscation “packages” data so that it appears as regular HTTPS traffic or even a random set of bytes. As a result, filtering systems cannot reliably determine whether it’s a VPN or a specific protocol.

When obfuscation is relevant:

• Strict corporate networks that block everything except the browser;
• Countries with traffic filtering and VPN blocking;
• Situations where the mere use of a VPN is undesirable (for example, because it attracts unnecessary attention).

Important: obfuscation alone doesn’t improve anonymity—it makes traffic less distinguishable from regular traffic and helps the VPN “disappear.” Without encryption and proper configuration, it’s of little use. Implementation examples:

• “Obfuscated server” modes offered by some VPN providers;
• OpenVPN + obfsproxy / stunnel / obfs4;
• Shadowsocks protocols and its forks;
• Bridges in the Tor network.

How to combine tools for maximum privacy

All three tools serve different but complementary purposes. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your real IP address, creating a secure, private tunnel for your online activity. A DNS filter adds another layer of protection by blocking malicious or suspicious domains before a connection is even established. Meanwhile, obfuscation techniques help bypass network filtering and deep packet inspection, ensuring that secure traffic remains accessible even in heavily restricted environments. Together, these technologies significantly enhance both privacy and security. Example of a basic setup for a user:

• On the router, a configured DNS filter (e.g., a secure public DNS service).
• On the laptop and phone, a VPN with a reliable logging policy and support for a modern protocol.
• When travelling or working from “hard” networks, enable obfuscation mode on the VPN, if available.

Practical tips

1. Don’t use three different VPNs simultaneously—it’s pointless and often creates problems accessing websites.
2. One reliable combination (VPN + DNS filter) is better than ten random browser extensions that conflict with each other.
3. Check that everything is working as expected: IP address (using any IP checker), DNS used (there are online DNS leak tests), website availability (sometimes aggressive filters block unnecessary information).

A well-designed combination of these tools makes life much more difficult for attackers and those who want to collect as much data as possible about your activity. It doesn’t require advanced technical skills—it’s enough to set it up once and periodically check that everything is working correctly.