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80 questions · Plain English · No scare tactics

VPN questions, answered

Everything people actually ask about VPNs: what they do, what they cannot do, and how to fix things when they break. Written to inform, not to frighten you into a subscription.

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VPN basics

What is a VPN?A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your int…
How does a VPN work?A VPN works by encrypting your traffic on your device, sending it thro…
What is my IP address?Your public IP address is the number your internet provider assigns to…
What is an IP address?An IP address is a numerical label that identifies a device or connect…
What does a VPN hide?A VPN hides your IP address from websites and hides your browsing acti…
Do I need a VPN?You need a VPN if you want to stop your internet provider or local net…
What is WireGuard?WireGuard is a modern, open-source VPN protocol that uses current cryp…
How do I use a VPN on iPhone?To use a VPN on an iPhone, install a VPN app from the App Store, sign …
How do I use a VPN on Android?To use a VPN on Android, install a VPN app from Google Play, sign in, …
What is a VPN kill switch?A VPN kill switch is a safety feature that blocks all internet traffic…
What is split tunneling?Split tunneling is a VPN feature that lets you choose which apps or we…
What is a dedicated IP VPN?A dedicated IP is a VPN address assigned to you alone, instead of the …
What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy?Both a VPN and a proxy route your traffic through another server and c…
VPN vs Tor: what is the difference?A VPN routes your traffic through one server run by a company you choo…
What is a double VPN?A double VPN, also called multi-hop, routes your traffic through two V…
How do I change my IP address?The quickest way to change your IP address is to connect to a VPN, whi…
What is a VPN tunnel?A VPN tunnel is the encrypted connection between your device and a VPN…
Can I leave my VPN on all the time?Yes, you can leave a VPN on all the time, and for privacy it is the be…
Does a VPN use data?Yes. A VPN uses your existing data connection and adds a small encrypt…
How do I choose a VPN?Choose a VPN by checking four things: a clear no-logs policy, a modern…

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