Guide · 6 min read
What is a VPN, and what does it do?
Quick answer
A VPN, or virtual private network, carries your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. The network you’re on sees an encrypted connection, and the sites you visit see the server’s IP address, not yours.
Wi-Fi and your providersee an encrypted connection
The CopVPN serversends your request on
The websitesees the server’s IP, not yours
How it works
Follow one request, with the VPN off and on
Below is one request for a website, on its way from your device to the site. Switch the VPN on to see who can see what.
Without a VPN, the network, your provider and the site each learn something about you.
- Your devicePlain request
Your request leaves as it is, with no VPN around it.
- The Wi-Fi networkSees the sites
Whoever runs or watches the Wi-Fi can see which sites you visit.
- Your internet providerSees the sites
Your provider can see which sites you visit.
- The VPN serverNot in the path
With the VPN off, your request doesn’t go through it.
- The websiteSees your IP
It sees your IP address, which points to your provider and rough location.
Most sites use HTTPS, which keeps page contents encrypted even without a VPN. What HTTPS doesn’t hide is which sites you visit, and that’s what the VPN tunnel covers.
When it helps
When should you have a VPN on?
Most of the moments that matter happen away from a network you control.
- 01
Public Wi-Fi
Café, hotel and airport networks are shared with strangers. The tunnel keeps your traffic encrypted between your device and the server.
Auto-connect - 02
Travelling
A new network every day. Whatever Wi-Fi you join, the tunnel works the same way, and you choose from 85+ locations in 65+ countries.
Server list - 03
A network that blocks VPNs
Some hotel, office and school networks block VPN traffic. Switching protocol in the app, to OpenVPN TCP, AmneziaWG or Stealth, gives you another way to connect.
VPN protocols - 04
Phones, laptops and tablets at home
Unlimited devices, up to 7 connected at once, so phones, laptops and tablets can all use one account.
Unlimited devices
Compared
VPN app, browser extension or incognito?
Incognito mode stops your browser saving history and cookies on your device. That’s all it does: it doesn’t hide anything from the network, your provider or the sites you visit.
| CopVPN app | CopVPN extension | Incognito mode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Every app on the device | This browser only | Nothing on the network |
| Encrypted between you and CopVPN | Everything on the device | This browser’s traffic only | No |
| Sites see the server’s IP, not yours | Yes | In this browser | No |
| Stops your browser saving history | No | No | Yes |
| Without a plan | Free locations on iPhone, iPad and Android | Free locations | Free, built into your browser |
| Where you get it | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android and Android TV | Chrome, Edge and Firefox | Your browser’s private window |
CopVPN for Mac, connected
Also in the apps
In CopVPN
How CopVPN does it
The tunnel from this guide, in the real CopVPN app for Mac. Three things on the screen tell you it’s working.
- 1
“Your connection is encrypted and private.”The app’s own words once the tunnel is up.
- 2
Your IP · HiddenSites see the CopVPN server’s IP address, not yours.
- 3
Optimal“Picks the best protocol for your network automatically.” Or pick one of 5 protocols yourself. VPN protocols
No plan needed on iPhone, iPad, Android and the browser extension, on the free locations.
30-day money-back guarantee (except crypto and manual payments)
Questions
What is a VPN: questions
What does VPN stand for?
Virtual private network: an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server, carried over the public internet.
Does a VPN make me anonymous?
No. It hides your traffic from the network you’re on and your IP address from the sites you visit. It doesn’t hide the accounts you sign in to, what you type into forms or cookies you already carry.
What is the difference between a VPN and incognito mode?
Incognito mode stops your browser saving history and cookies on your own device. A VPN works on the network. They solve different problems, and they work fine together.
Does a VPN protect me from viruses?
Not on its own: a VPN isn’t antivirus. CopVPN’s “Block ads, trackers & malware” blocks known ad, tracking and malware sites, which is one layer, not a replacement for a patched device.
Can my employer or school still see what I do?
On their network, they see an encrypted connection to a VPN server, not the sites you visit. If they manage the device itself, monitoring software on it can see what you do before it reaches the VPN.
Should I leave it on all the time?
Leaving it on is the simplest way to stay covered. On iPhone, iPad and Android, auto-connect can protect untrusted Wi-Fi automatically. The Mac app can connect when CopVPN opens or joins a network, and the Windows and Linux apps can connect automatically on launch.
Do I need to pay for a VPN?
Without a plan, the CopVPN apps for iPhone, iPad and Android and the browser extension connect to the free locations. A plan opens all 85+ locations in 65+ countries, and the Windows, Mac, Linux and Android TV apps need one.
How do I check my VPN is working?
Connect, then check which DNS servers answer your lookups. Our DNS leak test page explains how, step by step.
Still stuck? Our support team answers by email: contact@copvpn.com
Plans
Try a VPN that tells you what it does
An encrypted tunnel, 5 protocols and 85+ locations in 65+ countries. Plans run from 1 month to 5 years.
30-day money-back guarantee (except crypto and manual payments)We follow a no-logs policy