described is a computerized system including a virtual private network server operable to provide a virtual private network service , the virtual private network service enabling a user to retrieve at least one internet resource ; and an advertisement module operable to furnish advertisements for insertion into the internet resource retrieved by the user using the virtual private network service . in the inventive system , the revenue generated through the insertion of the advertisement is used to subsidize the virtual private network service . in accordance with another aspect , there is provided a method involving retrieving at least one internet resource using a virtual private network service and inserting an advertisement into the retrieved internet resource . in the inventive method , the revenue generated through the insertion of the advertisement is used to subsidize the virtual private network service .