What is a VPN?
VPN comes up constantly in privacy conversations, often alongside Tor. It is a useful tool - as long as you understand exactly what it does and does not do.
What a VPN does
A VPN (virtual private network) routes your internet traffic through a server run by a provider, hiding your IP address from the sites you visit and encrypting the connection between you and that server.
This ties in closely with a practical safety checklist.
What it does not do
A VPN shifts trust to the provider - they can see your traffic, so the company matters. It also does not make risky behaviour safe, and unlike Tor it relies on a single company rather than many independent relays.
Frequently asked questions
Is a VPN the same as Tor?
No. A VPN trusts one provider; Tor spreads trust across many relays for stronger anonymity.
Does a VPN make me anonymous?
It hides your IP from sites but not from the VPN provider. It is privacy, not full anonymity.