What a VPN actually does, what it does not do, and the protocols, keys and routing decisions that sit underneath the marketing.
VPNs provide privacy and speed while Tor offers anonymity with performance trade-offs. Understanding the architectural differences and choosing based on your threat model determines which tool actually protects you.
VPNs and proxies both mask your IP address, but they differ fundamentally in architecture, encryption, and scope. This technical comparison explains when each tool is appropriate for your privacy needs.
VPNs hide your IP address and encrypt traffic from your ISP, but they can't protect against account tracking, browser fingerprinting, or provider trust issues. Understanding these boundaries is essential for realistic privacy.
VPN encryption uses three components—ciphers, keys, and protocols—to create a protective tunnel around your internet traffic. Here's how it actually works.
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel that masks your IP address and hides traffic from your ISP, but understanding how the technology actually works—and what it can't do—is essential for realistic privacy protection.
