A technology that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. It hides your IP address and protects your data from ISPs, hackers, and surveillance.

A unique number assigned to your device on the internet; websites use it to infer your location and identity. VPNs mask this with the server’s IP.

Converts readable data into unreadable code so only authorized parties can access it. VPNs rely on strong encryption to secure traffic.

The secure pathway through which encrypted data travels between your device and the VPN server.

The rule set that governs how a VPN connection is created, authenticated, and maintained. Different protocols trade off speed, stability, and security.

Open-source, battle-tested protocol supporting UDP (faster) and TCP (more reliable). Known for strong security and wide compatibility.

Modern, lean protocol designed for speed and simplicity with state-of-the-art cryptography. Often delivers faster connections than OpenVPN.

Stable and secure; excellent for mobile devices that switch between Wi-Fi and cellular. Quickly re-establishes dropped connections.

Older, generally secure but slower due to double encapsulation. Largely superseded by WireGuard and OpenVPN.

Microsoft-developed protocol that uses SSL/TLS over TCP 443, blending in with HTTPS traffic. Handy on restrictive networks.

One of the earliest VPN protocols; now considered insecure. Avoid for privacy-critical uses.

Uses the same encryption as HTTPS websites; can be browser-based. Good for remote access portals.

Industry-standard symmetric cipher used by banks and governments. Considered computationally infeasible to crack with current tech.

Automatically blocks internet access if the VPN drops, preventing IP/DNS leaks. Essential for torrenting and strict privacy.

When domain lookups bypass the VPN, exposing visited sites to your ISP. Good VPNs route DNS through their own resolvers.

Occurs when IPv6 traffic is not tunneled and reveals your real address. Some VPNs disable IPv6 or fully tunnel it.

Provider’s commitment not to store activity or connection logs. Look for third-party audits or legal test cases for proof.

Routes traffic through two VPN servers, adding an extra layer of separation between you and the destination.

Disguises VPN packets as regular HTTPS traffic to evade DPI and firewalls. Useful in censorship-heavy regions.

Select which apps/sites use the VPN while others go through your normal connection. Balances privacy and speed.

Content is restricted based on your location; VPNs can change your apparent country to access other catalogs.

Use VPNs to reach blocked news, social media, or apps. Obfuscation helps avoid detection.

Peer-to-peer sharing with your IP hidden and traffic encrypted. Choose VPNs that explicitly allow P2P.

VPNs tuned to unblock major platforms and maintain high speeds for HD/4K playback.

Lets employees securely access a company’s internal network from anywhere.

Securely links entire networks (e.g., branch offices) across the internet as if they’re one network.

Where the VPN server physically sits; affects latency, speed, and the country that websites think you’re in.

A static IP address reserved for one user; helps with banking, remote access, and fewer CAPTCHAs.

Many users share the same exit IP, improving anonymity but sometimes triggering anti-abuse systems.

Allows multiple devices to share one public IP while keeping internal addresses private.

Round-trip delay; crucial for gaming and live calls. Closer servers usually mean lower latency.

How much data can move per second. VPN performance depends on protocol, server load, and distance.

The app/software you install to connect to a VPN server. Available for desktop, mobile, TV, and more.

Runs VPN at the network edge so every connected device is protected—no individual apps needed.

Lightweight proxy-style VPN inside the browser; only protects browser traffic and may lack full features.

Reroutes DNS to unblock websites without encrypting your traffic. Useful when you only need unblocking and full speed.

Intelligence-sharing alliances. A VPN’s home country may affect exposure to data requests and gag orders.

The legal domain governing a provider; impacts data retention, warrants, and corporate obligations.

Local rules that require keeping user records for a time. Many privacy-focused VPNs avoid such jurisdictions.

Government rules that block or throttle content/services. VPN legality and usage conditions vary by country.

Allows inbound connections through the VPN to your device. Useful for self-hosting, seedboxes, and certain games.

Another name for obfuscated servers designed to blend into normal HTTPS traffic and bypass DPI.

Store runtime data only in volatile memory; everything is wiped on reboot. Reduces persistence of logs/configs.

Techniques (e.g., congestion control, path optimization) to improve throughput and reduce jitter on VPN links.

Cryptographic method to prove something (like you’re authorized) without revealing the secret itself.