Should you use a VPN in school? Are VPNs legal? | NordVPN (2024)

Should I use a VPN in school?

You should only use a VPN in school if the educational institution allows it.

A VPN can make you safer and more private online by hiding your IP address and encrypting your traffic. However, some schools limit the use of VPNs for various reasons. If your school policy doesn’t allow them, refrain from using a virtual private network — or you could get in trouble.

However, if your school doesn’t restrict VPN use, connecting to a VPN server for better online security is a great idea. Here are the main reasons to use a VPN in school.

Use a VPN for better security

The primary function of a VPN is to keep your data traffic safe. When you’re in school or using a school computer, you’ll probably connect to a shared Wi-Fi network with many other pupils and teachers. School networks, like other public Wi-Fi networks, often don’t have the best security measures and may be vulnerable to hacking.

Since there’s no way you can be sure that the Wi-Fi router is secure, using a VPN on a public network can keep your connection safe and secure your web traffic, even if the network is compromised.

Use a VPN for convenience

For obvious reasons, some words and phrases are banned by school networks. However, that can be a problem because word-based filtering isn’t always accurate — and can often ban perfectly inoffensive words by mistake.

With a VPN on your device, you should be able to circumvent these network restrictions, making it easier to access the online resources you need for school projects and other work.

Use a VPN for more privacy

Connecting to a shared school network also poses several privacy risks. While the school may monitor pupils’ online activity for various security reasons, a shared network without the right measures means that someone else on the network may also be able to look up your activity.

Using a VPN means other users won’t be able to see what you do on a shared network, shielding your data from prying eyes.

Should I use a VPN in college or university?

You should use a VPN in college or university, especially if you regularly connect to the public network. Let’s look at the main reasons to use a VPN in college and university.

Boost your security

A VPN is a cybersecurity tool that enhances your online security on any network. Connecting to public Wi-Fi — whether it’s at the college cafeteria or in student accommodation — exposes you to various digital security risks.

Because a VPN encrypts your data traffic, it instantly boosts your security on any shared Wi-Fi. Even if someone manages to hack into this shared network, your data will be protected with an additional layer of security.

Increase your privacy

If you’re connected to the college or university Wi-Fi, it’s likely that the network admins will be able to monitor your activity. That can be a real issue for students at certain institutions, and a VPN can help secure you while connected to your school network.

Imagine a young student at a strictly religious university, where certain sexual orientations or gender identities are disapproved of. With a VPN encrypting their traffic, they could access online communities, support, and other resources without worrying about the university spying on them.

Get a temporary IP address

Another VPN benefit for students is being able to get a new IP address while using college Wi-Fi.

Your IP address is the digital number your school network assigns to your device. It can reveal a lot of information about you — including your approximate physical location. Many online academic resources are locked to specific locations, meaning that students outside of these regions may not be able to access them.

A VPN hides your IP address, allowing you to access these resources. For example, if you need to access a paper that’s only available in the UK, all you need to do is connect to a UK VPN server. Here’s more on how to get a UK IP address with a VPN.

Is it illegal to use a VPN in school?

No, using a VPN for school or college is completely legal in most countries — as long as you’re not doing anything online that breaks the law. Businesses, governments, and millions of individual internet users connect to VPNs daily to enhance their online safety and privacy.

However, your school or college may have specific policies associated with VPN use. If you’re worried about getting in trouble, we recommend checking with a school administrator or a teacher. You may even have a VPN installed on your school computers — some schools recognize a VPN’s ability to boost their pupils’ cybersecurity and may already use a preferred provider.

The restrictions on your school Wi-Fi network may also depend on the country you’re in. Here’s more information on where VPNs are illegal.

How to choose the best VPN for school

When looking for the best VPN for school, remember to choose an established, reliable provider that you can trust. Not all VPN providers deliver the same level of protection, so make sure you do your homework and choose the right VPN for you.

The best VPNs for school will use next-generation encryption and offer a range of security features. The VPN should have a good global server network with plenty of server options. The better the coverage, the faster the connection — so choose wisely.

You may also want to choose a VPN that goes beyond the traditional offering and has advanced security features, like a Dark Web Monitor or Meshnet. After all, if a VPN offers more than a secure connection, you’re getting more value for your money.

While getting a free VPN may be tempting, they often do more bad than good. Free VPN providers don’t offer the best security and may even track your activity to sell it to advertisers. A VPN is supposed to give you more privacy and security, and free VPNs often do the opposite.

Does NordVPN have a student discount?

Yes, NordVPN offers an extra 15% discount to students and apprentices aged between 18 and 26. That means you can get a discount on top of our seasonal offers, giving you reliable VPN protection for a fraction of the price. You can get the discount wherever you’re based.

How to download a VPN for school, college, or university

Getting a VPN for your device is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps to start using NordVPN:

1. Get a VPN subscription (don’t forget your NordVPN student discount).
2. Download the NordVPN app from our website, the App Store, or Google Play.
3. Launch the app and choose a VPN server, or click Quick Connect.

If you’re wondering how to download a VPN on a school computer, you should check with a teacher or contact your school’s IT support. The school may have specific guidelines and processes for downloading new applications on school devices — and sometimes, you may not be able to download new apps at all. In that case, you can still download and use a VPN on your own devices to enhance their safety.

Get NordVPN for school, college, or university

If you’re looking for a reliable school VPN, NordVPN is an excellent choice. It secures your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and lets you access academic resources everywhere.

On top of that, NordVPN offers Threat Protection — an advanced feature that blocks unsafe sites, web trackers, and potentially malicious ads. It also scans files for malware as you download them, giving you that little extra protection for your device.