How Does a VPN Work?

The need for privacy in this increasingly digital age has never been more apparent. These days, more and more information about a person can be found online. That is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) become a factor. In this blog, we will talk about how VPNs work. We will also talk about how you can avail use of one by using a web browser with a built-in VPN.
So, on with the blog:

Working without a VPN

The simplest way to explain how your internet works without you using a VPN is this, All the data you send or receive, and all the requests you send or receive, whether you are trying to reach a certain site or using an application, flow to their destination through your ISP using an IP address that your ISP has assigned to you.
And this IP address is essentially used to identify who you are and what you are trying to reach. And since your ISP provided you with this address, they can identify you and learn about your internet activity.

What can your ISP see?

The process of visiting a website works by requesting DNS queries. These queries are logged by your ISP. Every ISP logs DNS queries. And since DNS queries are unique to every website, your ISP can easily identify what site you were visiting.
ISPs can’t see what information you input on a website, as long as the site uses HTTPS and not just HTTP. If a site uses HTTPS, it means that all your information is encrypted, as is the standard with pretty much all websites these days. The disadvantage of not using a VPN is that all your online activity can be tracked. If your ISP knows what sites you are visiting and what data you are (potentially) inputting, so does the government.

With a VPN

Admittedly, you still need your ISP to properly work on the internet. But what a VPN does is create a smaller, private tunnel in the public internet stream. This private tunnel bypasses your ISP and connects to a server in whichever location you choose. And that server provides you with an IP that is different from the one that your ISP assigns you.
So, what a VPN is essentially doing is creating a tunnel through your ISP but with a different IP. And all your data (and DNS queries) are run through this VPN server. And since your ISP doesn’t know about this, because all your data is travelling through a private tunnel, you are considered truly secure.

What can your ISP see?

Your ISP will be able to see that there is a private tunnel created, but it will not be able to discern all the data and queries that you are sending or receiving. They won’t be able to see what sites you are visiting and, even if the site you are visiting does not have HTTPS, they won’t be able to see the information that you enter.

What can the VPN server see?

Since your VPN is essentially taking over the role of your ISP, it can see the queries you make and the sites you visit. The connection becomes secure between your PC and the VPN server. But the other end, which is the site you are visiting and your VPN server, isn’t secure in many cases. So, it is essential that you pick a VPN that is secure and encrypted on both ends.

Final Thoughts

If you want a truly secure VPN connection, then your best bet is Browser Jet. It is the best browser with a built-in VPN that you will find out there, as it can truly secure both ends of your connection and provide you with the ultimate security experience.