Skip to content
Know.itKnow.it
Create an animated lesson
On request

This article is free to read. Creating a lesson uses your daily or stored credits; review the language and settings before starting.

How does a VPN work?

TechnologyLesson on requestFree to read

Quick answer

A VPN (virtual private network) works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server, hiding your traffic from outsiders. Your internet activity travels scrambled through that tunnel, so others see only the VPN server, not what you're doing.

Step by step

  1. It encrypts your internet traffic into an unreadable form.
  2. The data travels through a secure 'tunnel' to a VPN server.
  3. Websites see the VPN server's address, not yours.
  4. It protects you on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi.
  5. It can also make you appear to browse from another location.

People also ask

What does a VPN actually hide?
It scrambles your traffic and masks your real IP address, so your network provider and websites can't easily see what you're doing or where you are.
Does a VPN make you anonymous?
Not fully — it hides traffic from your network and masks your location, but the VPN provider can see it, and logins still identify you.
Why use a VPN on public Wi-Fi?
Open Wi-Fi can be snooped on; a VPN encrypts your data so others on the same network can't read it.
What does a VPN do?
It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, hiding your activity and location.

Part of the guide: How the Internet Works →