What is a VPN? A beginner’s guide

A virtual private network creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server, routing your traffic through it. This masks your IP address, making it seem like your traffic is coming from the VPN server’s location rather than your actual location. It also encrypts your data before it reaches its destination on the internet, hiding your online activities from your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and intrusive third parties.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a virtual private network works:

1. Encryption. You open your VPN app and connect to your preferred server location. As the VPN connects, it encrypts your outgoing network traffic, turning it into a secret code that only your VPN server can unlock. 
2. Data travels through a secure tunnel. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server. It sends your encrypted data through this tunnel, allowing only authorized data packets to pass through.
3. Your data is decrypted at the VPN server. When your encrypted data reaches the VPN server, it is unlocked using the special decryption key.
4. Your IP address gets masked. At the same time, your ISP-provided IP address is hidden, and you get a new one from the server’s location.
5. You access the internet safely. Next, the VPN server forwards your request to its destination online (a website or online service), carrying the VPN server’s identity rather than your own.

And then, the response goes through the same process in reverse.

Imagine you’re at the airport, waiting for your flight, and decide to connect to the airport’s free Wi-Fi. However, you know the risks of open networks, so you turn on your VPN to secure your internet connection.

As soon as the VPN connects, all your online activity — checking email, browsing websites, online banking, etc. — is encrypted. Your data travels from your device through the encrypted tunnel to the VPN server and then onto the internet via the airport’s Wi-Fi. 

So now, anyone trying to intercept your data only sees encrypted gibberish, and you can browse without worrying about someone potentially spying on your activities.

VPN protocols determine how your virtual private network connections work from start to finish. They can also impact the speed, security, and performance of your VPN connection. While there are quite a few VPN protocols, here are some of the most popular ones:

• OpenVPN. OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol known for its speed, security, and compatibility with a wide selection of routers. Because it is open-source, its code has been thoroughly tested by cybersecurity experts worldwide. It’s a trustworthy choice but tends to perform worse than IKEV2 and WireGuard;
• WireGuard. WireGuard is a protocol that has been built to outperform OpenVPN and IPSec in terms of power usage and performance, with only 4,000 lines of code. Currently, WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol available;
• IKEv2/IPSec. IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2), paired with IPSec (Internet Protocol Security), is on par with WireGuard’s quality. It excels at speed, particularly when switching networks and at shorter-distance connections, making it popular among mobile users.

• PPTP and LT2P/IPSec. Both PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) and L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol/IPSec) are considered outdated tunneling protocols, and it’s better to avoid them. While they can provide decent speeds, they can’t offer the security or reliability of more modern protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard;
• SSTP. SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)  is a tunneling protocol rather than a VPN protocol. This means it lacks the functionality of OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. While considered relatively safe and easy to use, its code was never audited, and it has compatibility issues with certain operating systems, like macOS.

A VPN tunnel is a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. Data sent through the tunnel is encapsulated (wrapped in additional encrypted layers), making your online activity private and unreadable to outside observers.

A VPN server is a regular server configured with VPN software. When a VPN is active, all your internet traffic passes through this server before it reaches its destination (the websites or services you want to access).

An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network. It identifies your device online and allows communication with other devices over the internet.

Encryption is the process of converting information into a secret code, readable only with a decryption key. VPNs use encryption to protect your data as it travels over the internet. Common strong encryption methods include AES-256 and ChaCha20.

There are many reasons why you should use a VPN — from securing your connection on open networks to accessing your regular online services while traveling. Here are a few:

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafés, airports, or hotels, are often less secure than private connections. This makes them attractive targets for hackers who may try to intercept your data. By encrypting your traffic, a VPN shields sensitive information — like login credentials or payment details — from being exposed to cyberattacks when you’re browsing on these networks.

Your online activity can be tracked by ISPs, advertisers, and other third parties. A VPN masks your browsing habits by encrypting your connection, which makes it far harder for outsiders to monitor or collect your data. Many virtual private network services also enforce strict no-logs policies, adding an extra layer of privacy.

When you travel, you may notice that some websites or services are unavailable in certain regions. Having a VPN when traveling can help you maintain secure access to your usual online accounts and services by providing a secure connection no matter where you are. It’s also a useful tool in areas where internet access is restricted, allowing you to stay connected and use the web more freely.

For remote workers, securely connecting to company resources is crucial. A VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel between your device and your company’s network, ensuring sensitive business data stays protected. This is especially important when employees are working from different locations and relying on public or home networks.

Some ISPs intentionally slow down certain activities, such as streaming or online gaming, when they detect high bandwidth usage. A VPN connection can prevent this by masking your traffic, so your ISP can’t easily identify what you’re doing online. This helps maintain a smoother experience, reducing buffering while streaming and minimizing lag during gaming.

A VPN hides and encrypts all your internet traffic — including your IP address, location, the websites you visit, and what you do on those websites. That said, a virtual private network cannot hide any information you choose to show, such as social media posts or the information you voluntarily provide when registering for online services.

There are a few types of VPNs that can be used for different purposes. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:

Remote access VPNs let individual users securely connect to a private network from any location. They’re especially common in remote work setups, where employees need to safely access company systems and data while working from home or another remote site.

Site-to-site VPNs are mainly used by large organizations. They connect entire networks, such as office branches in different locations, into one unified system. This makes it easier for employees across those locations to access and share company resources securely without having to log into separate networks.

Consumer VPN services are designed for everyday personal use. Instead of connecting to a workplace network, they route your internet traffic through a VPN server. This masks your real IP address with the server’s location and encrypts your connection, helping improve privacy and security while browsing, streaming, or gaming.

No, a VPN does not make you completely anonymous. In reality, total anonymity online isn’t possible. What a virtual private network does is improve your privacy: it encrypts your internet traffic, masks your IP address, and makes it harder for websites, advertisers, and other third parties to track your activity. While it can’t erase every digital trace, it’s a valuable tool for strengthening your overall online privacy.

The short answer is yes — VPNs are legal in most countries. They’re widely used by individuals, businesses, and organizations to improve security and protect data. 

However, legality can vary depending on where you are. Some countries place restrictions on VPN use, and in a few places, they are heavily regulated or banned altogether.

It’s also important to remember that while using a virtual private network is generally legal, it’s still against the law to use it for illegal activities. Actions like hacking, fraud, or copyright infringement remain unlawful regardless of whether you’re connected through a VPN.

Running a VPN service involves real costs, including servers, infrastructure, and security engineers, to name a few. Because of this, free and paid VPNs usually take very different approaches.

Free VPN providers often cover their expenses in ways that may affect users. Some rely on ads, while others may log and sell usage data to third parties. Free services also tend to have trade-offs, such as slower speeds, limited server options, and data caps.

Paid VPNs, on the other hand, typically offer better features, privacy, and performance. Trusted paid VPNs provide faster connections, a wider selection of servers, support for modern encryption protocols, robust security features, and independently audited privacy policies that add accountability.

While a virtual private network won’t make you completely anonymous, it can improve your privacy, security, and control over your online experience. A VPN connection helps secure your data on public Wi-Fi networks, protects your privacy from ISPs and advertisers, supports safe remote work, and can prevent ISP bandwidth throttling. So, if online privacy and security matter to you, a VPN is worth considering.