Do you actually need a VPN and what does it really do?

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic so your WiFi provider can't see what you're doing. You mainly need one if you use public WiFi regularly. For home WiFi, it's optional and depends on how much you care about privacy from your internet provider.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) works like a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. Instead of connecting directly to websites, you connect through a VPN company's server first. This hides your location and encrypts your data. The biggest practical benefit is security on public WiFi. Hackers can't intercept your passwords or payment information.