Florian Berg

VPN stands for "Virtual Private Line" and describes a direct connection which is established via the internet in encrypted form to a VPN server. (This is called a "tunnel" through the conventional Internet.) Normally, the user is assigned a new IP address by this server. All data traffic is then transmitted directly and encrypted by the user's own device, so that it is no longer visible to third parties, to the VPN server, from where the corresponding web pages or data services are called up. There is a big difference between VPN server and proxy server! VPN servers assign the user an own IP address and forward data packets unopened between the user and the destination in the internet. Proxy servers receive the data, open and inspect these data packets, apply filters and then forward the data. The user does not receive his own IP address, but the IP address of the proxy server is used for data sent over the Internet. The risk with proxy servers! With a proxy server it is possible to view, save or even change all encrypted communication between the user and a destination on the Internet. Whoever uses a proxy service must be able to trust the operator more than 100%! A NAT VPN server can neither open the contents that are sent or received nor save them. At most, a VPN server could create log files, i.e. protocols that contain the real IP address of the user and the destination addresses, but no contents of the communication. VPN server for anonymization The newly assigned IP address of the VPN service enables you to call up pages or services on the Internet without your own identity (IP) being recognized. This leads to a reliable anonymization and excludes traceability. It is also important to note that mass monitoring is therefore firstly made more difficult by locations in foreign countries, but also the assignment of data to a user is made impossible. VPN server for access to content in other countries By obtaining a local identity (IP) via a VPN server in a foreign country, all local content such as TV channels or media libraries, but also bank websites etc. can be accessed. It is completely identical to a real stay and connection with an Internet provider from the chosen location. VPN server to also break through firewalls or local barriers Many countries block citizens from accessing certain websites or services. Examples: Turkey: Whatsapp partially blocked, YouTube blocked, Facebook partially blocked. Germany: YouTube partially blocked, websites reported by copyright lawyers are blocked, legal blocking of dangerous content Austria: Some websites were blocked by courts (copyright) Morocco: Skype was blocked, Facebook partially blocked, YouTube blocked