Topic
VPNs
How VPNs work, when to use them, and how to pick one that actually protects your traffic.
6 articles
What is VPN split tunneling and when should you use it?
By default a VPN routes all your traffic through the tunnel. Split tunneling lets you choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which goes direct. Here's when that's useful, when it's risky, and how to set it up.
What is a SOCKS proxy and how does it differ from HTTP and VPN?
SOCKS is the third major way to route traffic through an intermediary — neither a full VPN nor a simple HTTP proxy. Here's what SOCKS5 does, what it doesn't, and where it fits in the proxy/VPN/Tor stack.
How does a VPN work, technically?
A VPN sounds simple — 'it hides your IP' — but underneath there's encryption, tunneling protocols, key exchange, and routing changes. Here's exactly what happens when you click Connect.
DNS leaks explained: what they are, why they matter, and how to fix them
A DNS leak quietly tells your ISP everywhere you're going on the internet — even when you're using a VPN. Here's what causes them, how to test for one, and how to plug the leak.
VPN vs proxy vs Tor: which one should you use?
VPNs, proxies, and Tor all hide your IP — but they protect different things, cost different amounts, and have wildly different speeds. Here's a side-by-side comparison.
How to hide your IP address: 5 methods that actually work
Want to keep your IP address private? Here are the five ways to hide it — VPN, Tor, proxies, mobile data, and public Wi-Fi — and the tradeoffs of each.