As the year draws to a close, online shopping peaks with major events such as Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. This period is crucial for businesses, who closely monitor online activity to understand consumer behavior and deliver targeted advertisements. One way to protect personal data and avoid being tracked is by using a virtual private network (VPN), a tool that masks a user’s online identity and encrypts their internet traffic. European company Proton has introduced a specific feature within its Proton VPN service to help users stay secure during this busy shopping season. Currently, the company is offering a promotional rate of 3.49 euros per month for a two-year subscription, down from the standard 9.99 euros per month. During online shopping, users may notice ads for products they have previously viewed but not purchased. These are known as retargeting ads, and they rely on digital trackers that are automatically loaded when browsing the web. These trackers can collect data such as the user’s location or how many times they’ve visited a site. While this system may be annoying due to the volume of ads, it also allows some retailers to adjust prices dynamically—meaning the cost of items like train or plane tickets and hotel stays can change based on a user’s browsing habits. Some fake websites mimic legitimate stores but are designed to steal personal and financial information. This makes it even more important for users to maintain control over their online activities and data. To help with this, Proton has developed NetShield, a DNS filter that blocks access to domains known for spreading ads, trackers, or malware. NetShield uses a regularly updated blacklist of harmful domains, allowing only safe content to pass through. This not only blocks intrusive ads and trackers before they load but also improves browsing speed and reduces battery and data usage on mobile devices. NetShield also helps block harmful software such as viruses, spyware, and ransomware by preventing access to domains known for hosting these threats. While this is an added security measure, it should not replace basic online caution. NetShield is part of the Proton VPN service, which is operated by a Swiss company known for its strong adherence to privacy laws. Proton follows a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited, ensuring that user activity is not recorded or stored by the company. Proton’s VPN service uses well-known protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, along with its own Stealth protocol, to provide both speed and security. Its ultra-fast servers offer up to 10 Gb/s of bandwidth, and the company’s VPN Accelerator technology helps increase connection speeds to distant servers, ensuring smooth online experiences even with encryption. A single Proton VPN account can protect up to 10 devices, with features like split tunneling and a kill switch that automatically cuts off internet access if the connection drops. The Proton VPN Plus subscription is currently on promotion, offering a two-year subscription at 3.49 euros per month, which saves users 156 euros compared to the standard rate. This subscription grants access to more than 20,000 servers in 140 countries, and users have 30 days to request a full refund if the service does not meet their expectations.