Does a VPN protect against viruses and hackers?
No, a VPN is not antivirus software. It encrypts your connection and hides your IP address, but it does not stop malware, phishing, or infected downloads. Many services do bundle blockers for ads and known malicious sites; a useful extra, not a replacement.
The confusion is understandable, because VPN marketing leans heavily on the word security. What a VPN really does: prevent network eavesdropping and mask your location. What it does not do: stop a malicious attachment, recognize a fake website where you type in your password yourself, or remove malware already on your device.
Many providers now include filters that block known ad, tracker, and malware domains before they load. Windscribe even ships its ad blocker in the free plan. Such filters make the web calmer and catch some junk, but they do not scan files and they miss new threats.
The healthy baseline remains: an up-to-date system, your operating system's built-in antivirus, a password manager, and skepticism toward links and attachments. The VPN is the piece of that puzzle that covers your connection and privacy.