How a VPN Works
Visual Explainer How A VPN Works
Packet Tracer V1.0
You
ISP
VPN
Web
System Idle. Waiting for input...
Simple Explanation
This simulation shows the massive difference in what your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and websites can see.
Without a VPN: Look at the "ISP Surveillance" bar. It showed your simulated IP address (24.55.10.1) and exactly what website domain you were visiting. Even if the content is HTTPS encrypted, the metadata (where you are going) is visible, allowing them to build a browsing profile.
With a VPN: The ISP bar only showed that you were talking to a "VPN Server" and the destination was masked. They know you are online, but they don't know where you are going. The website saw the VPN's IP address (45.33.22.11) instead of yours, protecting your location.
Tech Glossary
- ISP Surveillance
- Your Internet Service Provider can legally monitor and log the domains (websites) you visit for their own analytics or to comply with laws. A VPN hides the final destination from them.
- Encryption
- The process of scrambling your data into unreadable code. In our simulation, the Red Packet represents visible metadata, while the Green Packet represents a secure tunnel.
- IP Address
- Your digital fingerprint. It tells websites where you are located physically. A VPN replaces your personal IP with an anonymous one from the VPN server.