A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and a remote server. This tunnel protects data from interception by encrypting it and hides the user’s real IP address by routing traffic through the VPN server. Websites and online services see the server’s IP, not the user’s, which can help bypass geographic restrictions.
Encryption ensures that data transmitted over the internet is unreadable to outsiders, including hackers or ISPs. VPNs use protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard to manage this secure data transfer. The VPN server acts as an intermediary, forwarding requests to websites and sending responses back to the user through the encrypted tunnel.
VPNs are commonly used to secure public Wi-Fi connections, maintain online privacy, and access region-locked content. They provide privacy and security benefits but do not guarantee complete anonymity or protection from all tracking methods. Performance can also vary depending on the VPN service and server location.