Virtual Private Networks

“ A VPN creates an encrypted connection over the internet, providing privacy and security by masking your IP address and encrypting your data, making it harder for others to track your online activities or access your information. ”

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that helps you use the internet more securely and privately. Think of it as a secret tunnel that connects your device to the internet. Normally when you browse online, your data travels over the open internet, which means anyone watching (hackers, internet service providers, or even government agencies) could potentially see what you’re doing. A VPN hides that activity and makes it much harder for anyone to snoop on you. Modern web security protocols like HTTPS do some of the same things that a VPN will, like encrypting the contents of your data while it’s on the way to the destination, but there are still gaps you may wish to close using a VPN. While HTTPS does encrypt the body of your data, someone monitoring your network can still see which websites you’re connecting to, the size and timing of your traffic, and your IP address. A tunnel between your device and the VPN server means anyone on your local network, even the internet service provider, can only see encrypted traffic going to the server. They don’t know which sites you’re visiting, what your real IP address is (only the IP of the VPN server is shown), or any of the data you’re sending/requesting.

To understand tunneling, imagine sending a letter through the mail. Normally, anyone who handles that letter could open it and read it if they chose to. Now picture putting that letter inside a special, unbreakable tube that only the sender and receiver can open. That’s essentially what a VPN tunnel does for your internet traffic. All the data you send and receive travels through this “tube,” safe from everyone except the parties on either end of that tunnel. This technology is paired with encryption, which is like turning your letter into a secret code that only the recipient can understand. Even if someone were to somehow peek inside the tunnel, they would just see a jumble of meaningless characters.¹ Modern VPNs use extremely strong encryption methods, often considered unbreakable with today’s technology.

A simple real-world example is when you use public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or airport. Public Wi-Fi is convenient but notoriously insecure. Hackers can intercept traffic on the same network, potentially stealing passwords, emails, or even banking information. By connecting to a VPN before using the Wi-Fi, all your traffic is encrypted no matter what application or service you’re using.

VPNs are very popular among remote workers, many companies allow employees to access company servers from home via a VPN. This ensures that confidential business data doesn’t travel openly over the internet. An employee logging in from a café in another city can work just as securely as if they were sitting in the office, thanks to the VPN tunnel protecting the connection. Sarah, an employee working from home, needs access to the company’s internal files. These are normally only accessible from the office network and her laptop is connected to her home Wi-Fi, which is a public network from the company’s perspective. How can Sarah use a VPN to do her work offsite without adding any extra security risk?

Launch the VPN Client
She’ll open the company’s VPN application on her laptop. This application is configured with the company’s VPN server address and her login credentials. When she clicks “connect,” the VPN client begins the process of establishing a secure connection to the company’s network.

Authentication
Before anything else happens, the VPN server checks that Sarah is allowed to connect. This usually involves a username and password, and often a second factor like a security token or mobile approval. This step ensures that only authorized employees can access the network.

Creating the Secure Tunnel
Once authenticated, the VPN client sets up a secure tunnel between Sarah’s laptop and the company’s VPN server. This is the invisible, encrypted pipe that carries all of Sarah’s internet traffic to the company network securely and privately.

Accessing Internal Resources
With the VPN active, Sarah’s laptop effectively becomes part of the company’s internal network. Her computer might even get a company assigned IP address. Now she can open internal websites, access files, or use proprietary applications as if she were sitting at her desk in the office. As long as the VPN connection is active, all communication between the remote device and the company remains encrypted.

Logging and Security Policies
Most companies also monitor VPN connections for security purposes. For example, they may log the IP address of the connecting device, the time of connection, or enforce security policies like requiring a firewall or updated antivirus before allowing access. This helps prevent compromised devices from putting the company network at risk.

Ending the Session
When Sarah finishes her work and disconnects the VPN, the secure tunnel is closed. Any remaining network traffic from her device now goes through her regular home internet connection, and the company’s internal resources are no longer accessible until she reconnects.

Another common VPN use is bypassing geo-restrictions. Some websites and streaming services only allow access from certain countries. A traveler from the United States in Europe might want to watch a show that’s only available in the U.S. By connecting to a U.S. based VPN server, the service sees the connection as coming from the U.S., letting the traveler access the content freely.

You might wonder if VPNs make your internet slower. Since your data has to travel through the VPN server and undergo encryption, there can be a slight reduction in speed. However, with high quality VPN providers, this slowdown is usually minimal, and the trade-off for security and privacy is worth it for most users. On a similar note, setting up a VPN is surprisingly simple. Many VPN services offer apps for desktops, smartphones, and even routers. Once installed and setup, connecting is usually just a matter of clicking a button. Some VPNs even automatically connect whenever you use a public Wi-Fi network, making it seamless for everyday protection without needing technical knowledge.

In short, VPNs are invisible shields for your online life. They create a safe pathway for your data, encrypt your information, and keep your online activities private. Whether you’re protecting sensitive work files, streaming content from abroad, or just want peace of mind on public Wi-Fi, a VPN is a great tool to make your internet experience safer. By understanding the basics of tunneling and encryption, you can see how these small technologies play a big role in cybersecurity on the personal and industrial level.

¹ “Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies”, by Kumar Jain, V et al., February 2025