Each time you connect to the internet, your device sends information like your location and browsing history. This information is vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals, especially when using unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Is VPN IP scrambles your data into cipher code that’s unreadable to anyone without the encryption key, making it impossible for cybercriminals to steal your details.

VPNs are used by a wide variety of people for different reasons. Business professionals use them to secure their data and communications when working remotely. Journalists use them to safeguard their sources and keep their digital activity private. And people living in illiberal or undemocratic states can use them to bypass government censorship and access more information online.

How to Determine if an IP Address is a VPN

The way a VPN works is simple. You install the VPN app on your device and log in with your username and password. Once you’re connected, the VPN runs in the background on your device, protecting all of your internet traffic. When you want to browse a website or access a service, the VPN routes your data through a server in the country of your choice. For example, if you’re in Europe and want to watch a video on a US-based streaming service, the VPN will route your data through an American server. This makes it appear to the video streaming service that you’re in the United States and allows you to access the content.

Most VPNs use shared IP addresses, which means multiple users may be sharing the same address at any given time. To mitigate this, look for a provider with a large number of servers in different locations. This will mean your data travels a shorter distance and improves performance. Also, choose a provider with strong security protocols like AES-256.