Every device has an IP address, which is a unique number that identifies your location online. VPNs and proxies hide this number so websites cannot see exactly where you are.

Your Digital Home Address

A proxy server acts as a messenger between your computer and the internet. It requests information on your behalf so the website only sees the proxy’s identity instead of yours.

The Proxy Middleman

A VPN creates a private, protected path for your data to travel through. This keeps your online activity hidden from everyone else on the network, including hackers.

The VPN Secure Tunnel

VPNs use encryption, which turns your information into a secret code. This ensures that even if your data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to anyone without the special key.

Scrambling Your Private Data

These tools can make it appear as if you are browsing from a different country. This allows you to access videos or news that are only available in specific regions.

Hiding Your Physical Location

Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi, like at a cafe or airport, protects your sensitive info. It prevents strangers on the same network from seeing your passwords or bank details.

Staying Safe in Public

In countries where certain websites are blocked, these tools can help you reach them. They provide a way for people to access a free and open internet.

Beating Online Censorship

Your internet company usually sees every website you visit. A VPN hides this history from them, keeping your personal habits private from your service provider.

Blocking Internet Provider Spying

A feature called a 'kill switch' automatically cuts your internet if the VPN connection fails. This prevents your private data from accidentally leaking onto the public web.

The Automatic Safety Switch

Because your data passes through the provider's servers, you must choose one with a 'no-logs' policy. This means they promise never to record or save what you do online.

Trusting Your Service Provider

Many free services make money by selling your browsing habits to advertisers. Paid services are generally more reliable because they are funded by users rather than data sales.

The Cost of Free

You can protect your entire device with a VPN or just one app with a proxy. Choosing between them depends on whether you need full-device security or just a quick location change.

The Danger of Free Wi-Fi