Last Updated on 2025年12月17日 by wallzhihu
(From basics to advanced – how to stay safe, stream Netflix/Hulu, torrent securely, and more)
In our hyper-connected world, VPN is one of those terms everyone hears but few really get. Whether it's shielding your Wi-Fi from hackers, unlocking Netflix US from Europe, or safely downloading torrents, VPNs are your everyday online bodyguard.
This guide is your all-in-one starter pack: no tech jargon, just clear explanations + step-by-step installs for free trials. We'll cover the what, why, how, and gotchas – perfect if you're new or just want a refresher. (For protocol deep dives, check my Ultimate VPN Tech Breakdown.)
Here's what we'll unpack:
- What is a VPN?
- Why do you need one?
- How to set up a VPN for streaming/torrenting
- Is using a VPN legal?
- VPN security – what to watch for
- Protocols & encryption basics
- How to pick the right VPN
- VPNs to avoid (the 2026 blacklist)
- Final VPN wrap-up
Let's demystify this – your secure net starts now. 🚀
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is basically a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. It encrypts your data and routes it through a server in another location, hiding your real IP and making you “appear” somewhere else online.
Think of it like a private highway: your normal browsing is a public road where anyone can see your license plate (IP address). VPN puts you on a covered expressway – faster, safer, and anonymous to passersby.
Core components:
- Encryption: Scrambles your data (AES-256 standard – unbreakable).
- Tunneling: Wraps everything in a secure “pipe” (protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN).
- IP Masking: Swaps your address for the server's (US for Netflix, Japan for anime).
From Wikipedia: “VPNs allow users to send and receive data as if their device was directly connected to the private network” – simple as that.
Quick Dive into Encryption (Nerd Level, But Still Easy to Follow)
If you want to geek out on how encryption actually works, here are the big three methods used in 2026 VPNs:
- RSA Encryption Based on the fact that factoring huge prime numbers is insanely hard for computers (even quantum ones need centuries for 2048-bit keys). This is what secures your initial handshake when you connect.
- Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) Uses the math of points on an elliptic curve (Abelian group magic). Same strength as RSA but with much smaller keys → faster on phones. Curve25519 (used by WireGuard & Signal) is the 2026 gold standard.
- Lattice-Based Crypto (Post-Quantum) Stuff like Kyber and Dilithium – built on the “shortest vector problem” in lattices. Designed to survive quantum computers. Already rolling out in new VPN protocols.
Bottom line: modern encryption is crazy-advanced math (P vs NP level) turned into code that keeps your data safe from everyone – including nation-states and future quantum machines.
All the VPNs I recommend use at least one of these (usually ECC + AES-256), so you’re covered.
Want the super-deep version? Google “NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Round 4” – it’ll melt your brain in the best way. 😄
为什么要使用VPN？
现在来介绍VPN主要的用途:
1翻过防火墙体会牆外的空气，观看油管，脸书等
最简单的使用VPN原因就是想翻过防火牆来看中国屏蔽的网站。最常见的就是google，facebook或是instagram。还有一些开放式课程网站像是Coursera，Udemy等。 我将会在未来提供翻墙后可以收看的网站表单。
2对自己的隐私有多一层保障
之前谈过了，使用VPN可以在自己上网的过程中，加密自己的资料，尤其是当你在咖啡厅或是地铁上使用Wifi时候，可以不让 咖啡厅或是地铁上 的Wifi看到你的信用卡或是电子邮件密码。
3超过地区限制，收看奈飞网飞或是Hulu，或年龄限制影片
近年来，Netflix(又叫网飞，奈飞)在世界各地越来越火，相信大家也都知道，上面有许多脍炙人口的美剧像是纸牌屋，后羿弃兵，也有不少国内剧像是 山河令，琉璃，香蜜沉沉烬如霜等。动漫部分也有不少，然而，由于中国防火牆的缘故，不使用VPN翻牆，无法在中国地区或甚至香港地区收看网飞。欢迎参考: 中国网飞观看2024最全指南。
Hulu只在美国跟日本串流平台上提供，所以无法由国内收看，唯一办法，就是选择VPN(又称作梯子或是机场)，翻墙离开国内，把ip的地区调成美国或日本，之后才可以观看。细节可以参考: 最新中国Hulu观看指南。
4下载种子
VPN的另一个非常流行的用途是种子下载和P2P下载。使用种子下载和P2P文件共享在某种程度上是灰色地带，可能会被部分国家归类为侵犯版权，实际情况取决于你要共享/下载的内容以及居住地。由于世界各国政府都在打击类似行为，如果没有VPN的情况下种子下载会存在风险。所以假如你想要使用BT下载某些影片，建议使用VPN用来保证自己的安全。
如何使用VPN翻墙
由于中国防火牆持续更新加上白单政策，很多VPN像是熊猫VPN，蓝灯VPN，光年VPN均已经牺牲无法使用。
相較於很多博主，都直接叫大家去買付費VPN，我這裡提供一個可以免費試用兩天的VPN。大家可以試試看，不喜歡在取消即可。 目前可以翻墙成功，支持支付宝，目前有一天免费试用，也跟常见的其他VPN一样，支援同时五个设备上网，有许多节点可供选择，24小时七天客服，且有中文介面，价格划算。
Flow VPN【可用支付宝且现有免费试用二天】
Flow VPN 下载及教学
步骤一: 前往Flow VPN官方网站，创建帐户，填入email，不须担心资讯外流。
步骤二: 接下来到Flow VPN官方主页以后，依据自己不同需求来下载Flow VPN(包含macOS, Windows, Linux, IOS, Android)，解压缩并且安装。
步骤三: 安装完成以后，输入帐号密码，即可顺利使用Flow VPN。图示为连线到美国透过新加坡节点，有许多不同伺服器可供选择。
Flow VPN 评测
我们除了亲自测试以外，还附上我们实际测试的圖片做为参考，相较于很多博主说得天花乱坠，我们提出实际证据证明Flow VPN在中国确实能上网(測速為2024的截圖)。
在中囯使用VPN合法吗？
這個問題各有說法，按照中國法律，使用VPN属于违法行为，但大家也不需要害怕，按照過去判例，大致有分以下3种情况：
- 如果是自己上网下载翻墙软体，自己收看油管/脸书等，情节轻微，一般不会受罚。
- 如果是散播翻墙软体或推销翻墙软体给他人使用，则按情节轻重来判断是否受罚。
- 如果是自己制作翻墙软体或是贩售翻墙软体来营利，则明确违法。
所以小伙伴们翻墙，不管是要自己上网看油管(youtube)影片，上脸书与国外朋友聊天，或是收看Neflix精彩影集，甚至是阅读Arxiv期刊文章等，基本上不用担心法律问题，對過去法院判例有興趣的小夥伴，可以看我的專文: 在中国地区使用VPN翻墙是否违法。
特别提醒：这边指的翻墙是必须使用「非中国政府提供」的翻墙软件。网路上许多翻墙软体都是由中国政府出资的钓鱼使用，过去曾经发生过网友使用蓝灯VPN遭到警方逮捕的新闻，本站会将各大翻墙VPN进行IP检测，确保所提供的翻墙软件均符合隐蔽用户IP的安全能力。
更多VPN协议和加密技術
一个统称，VPN等于翻墙技术总集。传统VPN确实只是加密技术而已，如今的VPN技术还包含SSR，Trojan，等新型态技术，如果是技术小白，可以快速跳过这段。
SSR 多型态多技术的类型成为VPN软体主流
传统的VPN是虚拟私人网路，常见用途是在学校或企业内建立私有的网路系统。SSR 则可以想像成是透过一个代理人，这个代理人（专有名称是Sock5）可以访问被屏蔽的网站，借由与这个代理人传输资料来翻墙，而且资料同样经过加密，而且没有专用网路，所以相较传统VPN来说，SSR更不容易被防火墙侦测到。
SSR原本是一个开源专案，后因中国政府打压，源代码已经下架，但由于传统VPN多数已被墙，SSR现在已经取代VPN成为国内翻墙的主流。近年来近年来由于中国打击翻墙手段趋严，许多国内VPN像是光年VPN，熊猫VPN等暂时无法使用，而且常会有团队因为法律而跑路，因此建议使用欧美VPN，安全性有保证，团队也不会突然消失，造成使用者血本无归。
除了SSR之外，還有像是V2-ray 跟Trojan。Trojan是一个比较新的翻墙软件，在设计时采用了更适应国情的思路。 在穿透GFW时，人们认为强加密和随机混淆可能会欺骗GFW的过滤机制。 然而，Trojan实现了这个思路的反面：它模仿了互联网上最常见的HTTPS协议，以诱骗GFW认为它就是HTTPS，从而不被识别。
简单说，由于传统VPN的技术已经被中国防火墙识破，所以现在都是使用多技术的方式来翻墙。 像是flowVPN採用的就是特殊SSR技术。
Trojan 翻墙技术
現在來講講Trojan翻墻技術，Trojan 是一個開源專案，更多細節跟操作可以參考github的官網。建議熟悉程式的玩家自己去探求，如果是程式小白，當作故事看看就好。簡單就是透過Trojan來模仿成HTTPS。
在騙過 GFW 时，人们认为强加密和随机混淆可能会欺骗 GFW。然而，特洛伊木马实现了截然相反的功能：它模仿最常见的跨墙协议HTTPS，以欺骗 GFW 认为它是HTTPS。
How I Pick a VPN – My 7 Non-Negotiable Rules (2026 Edition)
I’ve been using VPNs daily for over 8 years while traveling and working between the US and Asia. I’ve tried literally everything people recommend online. Here are the 7 things I refuse to compromise on:
- Rock-solid security – Western-registered company, audited no-logs, based outside high-surveillance zones.
- Never drops – 99.9 % uptime, even on hotel 5G or sketchy cruise Wi-Fi.
- Actually fast – 600+ Mbps on 1 Gbps fiber, 4K zero buffer.
- Tons of server locations – 60+ countries so I can always find a low-ping one.
- One-click simple – I’m lazy. If it takes more than one tap, it’s dead to me.
- Support that speaks human – 24/7 live chat in English (bonus if Chinese support).
- 30-day money-back, no questions – because I’ve been burned by “lifetime” deals that vanished.
A lot of bloggers get paid big money to push garbage that dies in 3 months or leaks your data. I don’t play that game.
That’s why I only ever recommend four big, established Western companies with millions of users, real offices, and independent audits. If something goes wrong, there’s someone to answer for it.
Below I’ll give you my real-world speed screenshots, daily experience, and separate step-by-step setup guides for each one.相
| Servicio VPN | Free Trial / Money-Back | Streaming & Gaming | Device Support | Refund Policy | Precio aprox. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StrongVPN | 1-day free trial | Great for U.S. streaming & gaming | 5 simultaneous devices | 30-day guarantee | 4,5 USD/mes |
| FlowVPN | 2-day free trial | Good long-distance speeds | Unlimited devices | 30-day guarantee | 1,88 USD/mes |
| ExpressVPN | 30-day money-back | The most consistent for Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | 5 devices | 30-day guarantee | 6,67 USD/mes |
| Surfshark | 30-day money-back | Best price-to-performance ratio | Unlimited devices | 30-day guarantee | 2,3 USD/mes |
The 4 Red Flags That Scream “Dangerous VPN” – 2026 Edition
I’ve tested over 120 VPNs in the last 8 years. These are the four warning signs that instantly make me hit delete – no exceptions. My Simple 2026 Rule
- Only use big, Western-registered companies with:
- Independent no-log audits every year
- Millions of global users
- Real offices and business licenses
| Red Flag | Why It’s a Hard Pass in 2026 | Real-Life Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Open-source code (without massive community) | Anyone can see the code → governments or hackers can find backdoors or force changes | Old Lantern versions – open-source but got weaponized |
| 2 100 % “free unlimited” | No company can survive without making money. They sell your data, inject ads, or mine crypto | Hotspot Shield Free, SuperVPN – proven data harvesting |
| 3 Tiny / brand-new company | Zero resources to fight blocks, fix leaks, or stay alive long-term | 90 % of the “cute animal” VPNs that vanish in 3 months |
| 4 Unknown location / no real company registration | If they disappear with your money or data, you have zero legal recourse | Countless “HK/TW” apps that ghost users overnight |
VPN Blacklist 2026 – The Ones to Avoid (Updated Table + Deep Dives)
Across the entire VPN landscape, there are dozens of services that are either straight-up controversial, chronically broken, or borderline scams. Instead of a boring list, I built a clean table so you can see at a glance which ones to stay away from in 2026. Quick guide:
| VPN Name | Main Issue in 2026 | Still Works? | Verdict – Why I Nuked It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern | Open-source + history of getting users in trouble | Barely | Too risky, leaks real IP |
| Panda VPN | Outdated protocol, IP leaks in tests | Sometimes | Same tech as old Lantern – hard pass |
| LaoWang / Ace VPN | Multiple arrests linked to users | No | Real-world danger zone |
| Turbo VPN | Logs everything + Chinese ownership | Yes | Data harvesting machine |
| SuperVPN | Actual malware in APK (VirusTotal 12/68) | Yes | Straight-up dangerous |
| Hotspot Shield Free | Ads + proven data selling | Yes | Privacy nightmare |
| VPN Proxy Master | Fake reviews + frequent blocks | Yes | Scam vibes |
| PureVPN | Still dead for most use cases | Rarely | Was good once, now useless |
| Astrill VPN | Insanely expensive + spotty unblocking | Yes | $20/mo for average performance – no |
| Urban VPN | Sells your bandwidth to others | Yes | Turns your PC into an exit node |
| Yoga VPN | Hidden logs + Chinese jurisdiction | Yes | Avoid |
| Hola VPN | Peer-to-peer exit node (uses your IP) | Yes | Literally the worst – still doing it |
| Windscribe Free | 10 GB cap + crowded servers | Yes | Okay for 5 minutes, then useless |
| TunnelBear Free | 2 GB cap – gone in an hour | Yes | Cute bear, useless allowance |
| All “animal” VPNs | Unknown company, no support, vanish fast | Varies | 99 % trash |
I’ll also call out a few of the worst offenders with extra details. If I got something wrong or missed one, tell me – I’ll download it myself, test it, and update the list. My goal is zero misinformation and zero wasted money for you guys. More details:
| Lantern vpn(open source) | Panda VPN(unstable) | acelaowang VPN(Multiple arrests linked to users) | acefotiaoqiang VPN (unstable) | Kitten VPN (unstable) |
| shendengjiasu VPN (unstable) | lightyear VPN(unavaible) | aurora vpn (unstable) | blackhole VPN (unstable) | Turbo VPN (unstable) |
| Astrill VPN(price too high ) | elephant VPN (unstable) | VyprVPN (unstable) | UrbanVPN(free VPN) | |
| IPVanish VPN (price too high) | CyberGhost (price too high) | Proton VPN (unstable) | Windscribe (free VPN) | ants VPN (unstable) |
| 789vpn (unstable) | VPN Proxy Master (unstable) | PureVPN (unstable) | Flyvpn (unstable) | Private VPN (unstable) |
| Kuto VPN (unstable) | 360VPN (unstable) | hotspot shield (免费VPN) | shadowrocket VPN (unstable) | LetsVPN (unstable) |
| GreenVPN (unstable) | tenonvpn (small VPN) | edge VPN (small VPN) | Testflight VPN (unstable) | acexiashi VPN(small VPN) |
| clound VPN (unstable) | VPN hub (unstable) | dog VPN (small VPN) | shadowsocks VPN (small VPN) | PlexVPN (small VPN) |
| seagulltool (risk VPN) | Thunder VPN (unstable) | QuickVPN | Shadowrocket | SuperVPN |
Hola VPN – still turns your device into an exit node for strangers.
SuperVPN – found actual malware in the Android APK (VirusTotal flagged 12/68).
Turbo VPN – logs everything and is owned by a Chinese company with a terrible track record.
If you’ve ever paid for one of these and it flopped, drop a comment – I’ll test it live and add it to the blacklist.
VPN Wrap-Up
By now you should have a solid grasp of what VPNs are and how they work. If you want to dive deeper into the tech, check out my other articles.
Bottom line: use this powerful tool responsibly – stay safe, protect your privacy, and never use it for anything illegal.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments – I answer every single one.
Safe surfing! 🚀