VPN

A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, builds an encrypted connection between an end device and a remote network. From the internet's perspective, the user appears with the IP address of the VPN server, not with their own. VPNs are used both in corporate environments for the secure connection of staff and by private users to preserve privacy.

Areas of use

In the corporate context, VPNs ensure that employees in the home office or on the road can access internal applications without exposing them to the open internet. Private users employ VPNs to surf securely on open WiFi networks, reach regionally restricted content or hide their IP address from ad networks. Established protocols are WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2.

What a VPN does not deliver

A VPN encrypts the transport path but does not protect against tracking by websites that access login data, cookies or browser fingerprints directly. Nor does a VPN protect against malware on the device itself. Provider promises of full anonymity are misleading because login data, payment processing and cookies continue to operate.

In everyday marketing

For analytics tools, a VPN user looks like a visitor from the country of the VPN server. This can produce distorted regional statistics when a significant share of the audience uses VPNs. For IP based geo restrictions, testing with active VPN endpoints is recommended to make sure the website works correctly from common VPN exit points and legitimate users are not locked out.