Glossary

Clear definitions of common terms related to VPNs, privacy, and online security.

B

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transferred per second over a connection. Higher bandwidth enables faster downloads and smoother streaming.

D

DNS

A system that translates domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses. A VPN with DNS protection prevents queries from leaking outside the encrypted tunnel.

Double VPN

A setup where traffic passes through two consecutive VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption. Useful when higher anonymity is needed.

E

Encryption

The process of converting readable data into a format unreadable to third parties without the correct key. VPNs use encryption to protect your traffic on the network.

I

IP address

A unique numeric identifier assigned to your device on the internet. A VPN can hide your real IP and show the address of the server you connect to.

K

Kill Switch

A feature that automatically blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data from being exposed without protection.

N

No-logs policy

A provider's commitment not to store records of your online activity, such as sites visited or downloads. It is a key criterion when choosing a trustworthy VPN.

S

Server

A remote computer you connect to through the VPN. Choosing nearby servers usually improves speed; servers in other countries allow access to geo-restricted content.

V

VPN

Virtual Private Network: a service that creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, hiding your IP and protecting your data on public networks.

W

WireGuard

A modern, lightweight VPN protocol known for high performance and audited code. Many providers offer it as a fast alternative to OpenVPN and IKEv2.