What Is a VPN? Everything You Need to Know

What Is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. In simple terms, a VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Think of it as a private tunnel that shields your online activity from anyone who might be watching — your internet service provider, hackers on public Wi-Fi, or government surveillance agencies.

When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a server operated by the VPN provider. This server can be located anywhere in the world. To websites and services you visit, it appears as though your traffic is coming from the VPN server's location rather than your actual location. This has two major benefits: it encrypts your data and it masks your real IP address.

VPNs were originally developed for businesses to allow remote employees to securely access company networks. Today, consumer VPNs are used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide for privacy, security, and accessing geo-restricted content.

How Does a VPN Work?

Here's what happens when you connect to a VPN, step by step:

1. 1. You open your VPN app and select a server location — say, a server in London.
2. 2. The VPN app establishes an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server using a VPN protocol (like WireGuard or OpenVPN).
3. 3. All your internet traffic is now routed through this encrypted tunnel to the VPN server.
4. 4. The VPN server decrypts your traffic and forwards it to the website or service you're trying to reach.
5. 5. The website sees the VPN server's IP address, not yours. It thinks you're browsing from London.
6. 6. The response travels back through the encrypted tunnel to your device.

This entire process happens in milliseconds. With modern VPN protocols like WireGuard and NordLynx, the speed impact is minimal — often less than 10% reduction from your base internet speed.

Why Should You Use a VPN?

People use VPNs for many different reasons. Here are the most common:

Privacy from Your ISP

Your internet service provider can see every website you visit, every app you use, and every file you download. In many countries, ISPs are legally allowed — or even required — to log this data. In the US, ISPs can sell your browsing data to advertisers. A VPN encrypts your traffic so your ISP can only see that you're connected to a VPN, not what you're doing.

Security on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops, airports, and hotels are notoriously insecure. Attackers can intercept unencrypted traffic on these networks using techniques like man-in-the-middle attacks. A VPN encrypts all your traffic, making it unreadable even if someone intercepts it.

Accessing Geo-Restricted Content

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer offer different content libraries in different countries due to licensing agreements. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can access content that isn't available in your region. This is one of the most popular uses of consumer VPNs.

Bypassing Censorship

In countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, governments block access to websites and services including Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and news outlets. A VPN can bypass these restrictions by routing your traffic through servers in countries with free internet access. For people living under authoritarian regimes, VPNs are essential tools for accessing information.

VPN Encryption Explained

Encryption is the core technology that makes VPNs work. When your data is encrypted, it's scrambled into unreadable code that can only be decrypted with the correct key. Modern VPNs use AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and militaries worldwide. It would take billions of years for the world's fastest supercomputer to crack AES-256 encryption by brute force.

VPN encryption works at the protocol level. Different VPN protocols use different encryption methods, but all reputable VPNs use AES-256 or ChaCha20 (used by WireGuard), both of which are considered unbreakable with current technology.

What a VPN Can't Do

VPNs are powerful privacy tools, but they're not magic. Here's what a VPN won't protect you from:

• Malware and viruses — A VPN encrypts your connection but doesn't scan for malicious software. You still need antivirus protection.
• Phishing attacks — If you click a malicious link or enter your password on a fake website, a VPN can't help.
• Cookies and browser fingerprinting — Websites can still track you using cookies and browser fingerprinting techniques even with a VPN.
• Account-level tracking — If you're logged into Google or Facebook, those companies can still track your activity regardless of your VPN.
• Complete anonymity — A VPN significantly improves your privacy, but true anonymity requires additional tools like Tor and careful operational security.

How to Choose a VPN

With dozens of VPN services available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Speed — Look for VPNs with modern protocols like WireGuard. Check our speed test guide for methodology.
• Security — Ensure the VPN uses AES-256 encryption, has a kill switch, and offers DNS leak protection.
• Privacy policy — Choose a VPN with a verified no-logs policy, ideally confirmed by independent audits.
• Server network — More servers in more countries means better performance and more unblocking options.
• Device support — Make sure the VPN has apps for all your devices and allows enough simultaneous connections.
• Price — Long-term plans offer the best value. Avoid free VPNs unless they're from reputable providers.

Ready to find the right VPN? Check out our best VPN rankings or read our individual VPN reviews for detailed analysis.