In an era where digital connectivity transcends borders, the internet has become both a tool for development and a platform for malign activities. Terrorist organisations have increasingly exploited online platforms to radicalise youth, fund operations, and communicate covertly. Among the tools they rely on, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as a critical enabler, allowing users to mask their locations, bypass government surveillance, and evade tracking. This has prompted debates on whether banning VPNs can effectively curb terrorist activities.At first glance, restricting VPN access seems a logical step. By blocking these tools, authorities aim to reduce the anonymity terrorists enjoy online, making it harder for them to plan attacks, disseminate propaganda, or coordinate with handlers across borders. For intelligence and law enforcement agencies, VPN bans could simplify digital surveillance and help track suspicious patterns of communication in real time. In countries where counter-terrorism frameworks are still evolving, such measures are viewed as a proactive approach to preventing radicalisation and pre-empting attacks.However, the effectiveness of a blanket VPN ban is debatable. VPNs are not inherently malicious; they serve millions of ordinary users to ensure privacy, secure financial transactions, and access critical information safely. A ban could inadvertently disrupt legitimate businesses, journalists, and citizens who rely on secure internet connections, thereby undermining civil liberties and digital rights. Moreover, determined terrorists are likely to find alternative tools—like proxy servers, encrypted messaging apps, or decentralized networks—to circumvent restrictions. In other words, banning VPNs may shift the problem rather than resolve it. The real solution lies in a balanced approach. Strengthening cyber intelligence capabilities, monitoring suspicious online behaviour, enhancing encryption tracking mechanisms, and international cooperation are far more sustainable strategies. Public awareness campaigns to counter radicalisation, combined with strict enforcement of existing anti-terror laws, can reduce the recruitment pipeline that terrorists exploit online. Technology, when paired with human intelligence and legal frameworks, offers a more comprehensive solution than mere access restrictions.While banning VPNs may create operational hurdles for terrorists, it is not a panacea. A nuanced strategy that preserves digital freedoms while empowering security agencies is essential. Fighting terrorism requires more than restricting tools; it demands a combination of vigilance, intelligence, technology, and community engagement. Only then can the online space be made safer without compromising the liberties that underpin a democratic society.