Can a VPN hide my IP Address and offer privacy?

I've heard of people who can connect to the internet through a VPN? (virtual private network, I believe). I want to know if...
1. Can I hide my ip address?
2. Can I set up my own VPN at home?
3. Will a vpn offer me more privacy and prevent hackers from snooping around my comp? (no one cares about a regular joe like me, but just want to be on the safe side.)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure connection between computers. It is a virtual network secured with encryption using public internet.

Now, coming to your questions;

1. No, you can not hide your IP. Some VPN require a static IP to be able to connect, so your IP would not be concealed.

2. Yes, you can setup a VPN, but you d need certain software/hardware to have your own VPN

3. VPN can secure your communication to your personal network, but in general as your own system is on a public network it can not prevent your own PC from being hacked. The communication between your PC and your VPN would be secured by encryption.

A VPN needs access to the internet from your own machine before it can work so you can't hide that way. Also it needs a vpn receiver set up at the machine you are connecting to.

VPN is a remote working solution, its main purpose is to allow you to connect back to work (VPN server)

you either need to have existing internet connection or a third party software and hardware (as approved by your company) will establish an internet connection for you)

this does not shield the ip address of your machine and does not offer protection for your local pc, however, for your company it allows only authenticated users and/ or known machines to have access to their servers.

you do not need to vail your ip address to be protected from the internet, actually ip shielding on home machines is illegal in a lot of countries.

to protect yourself, you need a good daily updated antivirus, antispyware

you need to be observant and resolve any improper machine behiour, i always advise clients not to use form filler softwares incase of any intrusion.

to secure your internet connection, ensure it is passworded and encrypted (wireless).

best of luck