While VPNs are often touted for online privacy, they can expose users to risks like data theft. Instead, setting up a private VPN server or using browser tools to block trackers and encrypt traffic can enhance privacy. Ad blockers, recommended even by the FBI, prevent ads and tracking codes from loading, improving security and privacy. Encrypted DNS services, like those in Chrome and Firefox, protect browsing data from ISPs. Apple's iCloud Private Relay offers multi-hop encryption for added privacy, though it's not available everywhere. For maximum anonymity, new technologies like TOR (The Onion Router) routes traffic through multiple servers, shielding user data but slowing down internet speed.