Guide
What is a VPN?
A VPN (virtual private network) sends your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server run by the VPN provider. Websites see that server's IP address instead of yours, and the Wi‑Fi or internet provider you're using can't see which sites you visit. It protects your connection; it doesn't make you anonymous.
How a VPN works, in one picture
Normally your phone or computer talks straight to the websites you open, through your Wi‑Fi or mobile network. With a VPN, it first builds an encrypted connection, often called a tunnel, to a VPN server. All of your internet traffic travels through that tunnel. The VPN server then talks to websites for you and sends the answers back through the tunnel.
| Without a VPN | With a VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Websites see | Your IP address and approximate city | The VPN server's IP and city |
| Your Wi‑Fi or internet provider sees | The sites you visit | An encrypted connection to the VPN server |
| The VPN provider sees | Nothing | That you're connected (choose a no-logs provider) |
What a VPN is good for
- Public and shared Wi‑Fi. Cafés, hotels and airports can see the sites you open. Through a VPN they only see encrypted traffic. More in Is public Wi‑Fi safe?
- Hiding your IP address. Sites see the server's address, not yours. See How to hide your IP address.
- Appearing in another country. Pick a server abroad and sites treat you as a visitor from there, subject to each service's own rules.
- Keeping your browsing from your provider. Your internet provider sees a connection to a VPN, not the list of sites.
What a VPN doesn't do
- It doesn't make you anonymous. Accounts you're signed into, cookies and browser fingerprinting can still identify you.
- It doesn't remove viruses or stop you from trusting a phishing page.
- It doesn't hide what you do on a site from that site.
Do VPNs slow you down?
A little, because your traffic takes a detour through the server and is encrypted on the way. With a nearby server the difference is small for everyday browsing and streaming. Details in Does a VPN slow down your internet?
How to choose one
- A clear no-logs policy in plain language, from a company you can identify.
- A standard protocol such as IKEv2 or WireGuard. Privalune uses IKEv2, built into iPhone, Mac, Android and Windows.
- One-tap connect, so you actually use it.
- Apps for all your devices and a plan that covers them.
- An honest free tier to try before paying. See Free VPN vs paid VPN.