How Does a VPN Work?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server, hiding your real IP address and encrypting all your internet traffic.

The Basics

Without a VPN, your ISP can see every website you visit, and websites see your real IP address. A VPN changes both: your traffic is encrypted before leaving your device, and websites only see the VPN server's IP.

How It Works

1. Connection — Your VPN app connects to a VPN server
2. Encryption — All data is encrypted using protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN
3. Tunneling — Encrypted data travels through a secure tunnel to the VPN server
4. Forwarding — The VPN server decrypts your request and forwards it to the destination
5. Response — The reply comes back through the same encrypted tunnel

When to Use a VPN

• Public Wi-Fi — Protect against eavesdropping on coffee shop/airport networks
• Privacy — Prevent ISP tracking and reduce targeted advertising
• Geo-restrictions — Access content available in other regions
• Censorship — Bypass network-level blocks

Limitations

A VPN doesn't make you anonymous — the VPN provider can still see your traffic. It also won't protect against malware, phishing, or cookies-based tracking. Choose a reputable provider with a no-logs policy.

Check Your Connection

Visit our homepage to see your current IP address — with a VPN active, you should see the VPN server's IP instead of your real one.