This is especially important in countries with high levels of censorship, or when you’re sending particularly sensitive data.Īlthough your Internet traffic passes through the VPN’s encryption software and servers can slightly slow down your internet connection, it’s only by a small amount. This prevents anyone (such as your ISP) from spying on your connection and intercepting your data. VPNs encrypt all messages passing between their servers and your computer. Using a VPN to protect your privacy has some big advantages over using an unprotected connection. Additionally, messages sent from the server are encrypted, blocking unwanted access from third parties. The online destination will only see traffic coming from the VPN server, not your device or true location. Similarly, information sent to your computer from outside your network passes through the VPN server before reaching your device.Īs a result, you’re able to send and receive data without giving up your online location. When you use a VPN, information sent from your computer passes through one of the VPN provider’s servers before going to its online destination, such as your online banking account.

How do VPNs Work?Ī VPN consists of a network of servers, typically located in multiple countries around the world. Click on the icons below to navigate to each section, or read on for an in-depth breakdown of these two tools.Ī Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a technology that protects your privacy when you use the Internet by routing your connection through a server that hides your IP address and encrypts your online communication. Then, we’ll discuss specific use cases to determine when you would want to use one or the other. We’ll first look at how each one works, which will allow us to see their relative strengths and weaknesses. In this article we’ll take a look at using Tor versus using a VPN. But they also have some key differences that make them useful in different situations. Tor and VPNs are two of the most powerful online privacy tools available today. More and more people are thinking and talking about online privacy.

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