What is a VPN?
Introduction
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server on the internet. Everything you send travels through that tunnel first, so anyone on the same Wi-Fi (or your ISP) sees scrambled traffic rather than your actual websites or apps. To the outside world, your traffic appears to come from the VPN server's IP address, not your home or mobile connection.
How it works (quickly)
- Your device starts a secure session with a VPN server (e.g., using WireGuard or OpenVPN).
- Data is encrypted on your device, sent through your ISP, then decrypted at the VPN server and forwarded to the website/app.
- Replies come back the same way, inside the encrypted tunnel.
What a VPN does for you
- Protects you on public Wi-Fi (caf├®s, airports, hotels) by stopping local snooping.
- Hides your IP from sites you visit; they see the VPN server's IP instead.
- Reduces ISP tracking of which sites you use (they still see you're using a VPN).
- Lets you appear in another region (may breach some service terms check before you try).
What a VPN does not do
- Not a silver bullet for anonymity. The VPN provider can see your traffic exit their network. You must trust them.
- Doesn't remove malware or phishing risks. You still need good security habits and antivirus.
- Doesn't stop account tracking if you're logged in (Google, Facebook, etc. can still identify you).