What is a VPN and Can it Hide My IP Address? | McAfee (2024)

There’s a lot of misinformation about Virtual Private Networks,what they do,andthesecurity benefits they offer.For this article, I’d like to do some myth-busting abouthowaVPNactually worksandwhyyou should use one.

What is a VPN and how does it protect me?

AVPNis anapp that you install onyourdeviceto help keep your personal data safe as you browsethe internet

You may have heard that VPN apps live on your device and allow you to connect to the internet securely. What that means is,when you turn your VPN appon, your devicemakes a secureconnectiontoa specialized computer that routes internet traffic,called a VPN server.You also may have heard that your connection is “wrapped in an encrypted tunnel” which means your device and the servershare asecureconnectionsoonly youcan see what you’re doing on the internet.

Does a VPN change my IP address?

Every internet connection (like your cable modem) is assigned a unique set of numbers called an IP address, which is tied to information such as geographic location, ISP, etc.AVPNreplacesyouractualIP addressto make it look like you’ve connected to the internetfrom a different location: the physical location of the VPN server, rather than yourreallocation.This is just one reason why so many people use VPNs.This can be handy when you want to hide from advertising trackers or protect your search history.

How to use a VPN to change my IP address

To change your IP address, you simply open your VPN app,selectthe server location you’d like to connect to, andyou’re done. You’re now browsing with a new IP address. If you’d liketomakesure yourIP has changed,open upa browser and search for “What’s my IP address” and click on one of the results.

When should I use a VPN?

When to use a VPN really depends on what you want it for. For example,39% of users understand public Wi-Fi is unsafebutstill dosensitivethings, like banking or shoppingon publicWiFi,so using a VPNwhen you’re atthe airport, or a caféis a great use case.

As I mentioned before, a lot of people useaVPN for privacy reasons, like stopping advertisers from tracking them.Searches you perform, or websites you visit won’t be trackable, which means you’ll be able to surprise your spouse with a vacation you researched and planned on a computer you bothuse.Targetedads could spoilthingsifyour spouseisbombarded with ads for plane tickets and hotelswhile they browse.

Can a VPN protect my search history?

AVPN protectsyour search history through the secure connectionyou share.When you search for a website, or type aURLinto your navigation bar, your device sends something called a DNSrequest, which translates the website intothe IP address of the web server;this is how your browser canfindthe website and serve its content to you.By encryptingyourDNS requests,aVPNcanhide yoursearch habits and historyfromthose that might use that info as part of building a profile of you. This type ofinfocould be used in a wide variety of ways, fromlegitimatelyserving targeted ads tonefarioussocial engineering.

Can a VPN protect my identity?

AVPN can protect your identity by blocking online trackersfrom following you around the internet.With your VPN on,trackers willthinkall ofyour browsing is coming from a different device in a different location.This throws off the profile advertisers try to build because they think you’re someone else.

Another wayaVPN can protect your identity is by preventing some types of hacking.Stopping attacksonpublicWiFiwherea bad actortries to get between you and the website you’re visiting, is justone wayVPNscan help. It’s called a Man-in-the-Middle attack, but that’s a subject for another article.

Does a VPN make me anonymous?

No,aVPN cannot make you anonymous. They helpsecurewhat you’re doing, but yourISP still knows when you’re using the internet. They just can’t see what you’re doing, what sites you visit, or how long you’ve been on a site.

Do I need a VPN if I use Incognito mode?

Private browsing modes can help protect your privacy, but they’re useful if you share a device with other people and you don’t want them to see your search history. You canreadallabout the differencesin the article I wrote a little while ago.

What is Apple Private Relay?

Apple’s Private Relay is currently in Beta and will be availablewith an iCloud+ subscriptionforSafariusers oniOS and macOS soon. PrivateRelay issimilar toa VPN in that it changes your IP address so websites you visit can’ttell exactly where you are.

What does Apple Private Relay do?

When you turn Private Relay on, your device connects toaserverthat sends your browsing data to a second server, before it travels through the internet. The reason for the double hop is that first server gives you a new IP address, tomake you harder to track, while the second server hides that information from the website you’re browsing. The first server only knows your original IP address, while the second server only knows what you’re browsing, but notyourIP.

How to turn on Apple Private Relay on iPhone

1. Tap the iCloud tabin Settings
2. Tap Private Relay to turn it On
3. Scroll down and tap on TurnOnfor Safari
4. Tap IP Address Locationto change Approximate or Broader Location

How to turn on Apple Private Relay on Mac

1. Click on iCloudin the SystemPreferences menu
2. Click on the Private Relay box
3. Click on the Options button
4. Clickon Private Relay for Safari
5. Chooseyour IP Address Location tochangeApproximate or Broader Location

Do I need a VPN if I have Apple Private Relay?

Private Relay only works with Safari on iOSandmacOS.Even if you are using an Apple device,a VPN is still a good idea becauseit will protect the information that your device sendsoutside of Safari.

How to get your own VPN

If you’re already a McAfee Total Protection subscriber, you have access tounlimited VPN usage. Protect your personal information, like your banking information and credit cards, from prying eyes with McAfee Total Protection’s Secure VPN. If you haven’t already signed up,now’s the perfect time. McAfee Total Protectionprovides security for all your devices, giving you peace of mind while you shop, bank,and browse online.