
That way, no one online can trace your internet activity back to you. Most online businesses store IP addresses for data analysis, but cybercriminals can use your IP to track your activity online, steal your personal information, and target you for scams.Ī VPN reroutes your internet through a server address with a different IP than your own. In other words, your IP address lets online companies know where you are.


Your IP address helps you communicate with the broader internet by letting a website you’re on know where data is coming from and where to send it. When you buy an internet plan, your internet service provider (ISP) gives your equipment (like your router and modem) an Internet Protocol (IP) address. It does this by creating an encrypted tunnel from your home network to a VPN provider server. A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that hides your geolocation and protects your privacy while you’re online.
