It does this by creating an encrypted tunnel from your home network to a VPN provider server. When you buy an internet plan, your internet service provider (ISP) gives your equipment (like your router and modem) an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Your IP address helps you communicate with the broader internet by letting a website you’re on know where data is coming from and where to send it. In other words, your IP address lets online companies know where you are. Most online businesses store IP addresses for data analysis, but cybercriminals can use your IP to track your activity online, steal your personal information, and target you for scams.Ī VPN reroutes your internet through a server address with a different IP than your own.
That way, no one online can trace your internet activity back to you. A VPN also encrypts your internet data to protect your personal information. VPNs aren’t just for desktop computers, though. All sorts of devices - from iPads to smart TVs - can benefit from a VPN connection. If you’re the type of person who handles your finances or does business online using a mobile device, it’s wise to get a VPN to protect yourself.
