A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hiding your IP address and activity from your ISP and others.
Normal Internet Connection
Your device sends a request to your router, which forwards it to your modem and ISP.
Your ISP assigns an IP address and updates the packet, which is then sent to the destination server.
Your ISP can see your IP address, location, and activity.
VPN Connection
Your device encrypts the request before sending it to your router and ISP.
The ISP forwards the encrypted packet to the VPN server, which handles the DNS lookup and connection to the destination server.
The VPN server assigns a random IP address, and your ISP can’t see your activity or the destination server.
Benefits of Using a VPN
Secure connection: encrypts your data before it leaves your device.
Privacy: hides your IP address and activity from your ISP.
Bypassing blocks: can help access blocked content and bypass location restrictions.
Limitations of Using a VPN
Logs: if a VPN keeps logs, your data and activity can still be obtained.
Legality and blocking: some countries may block or illegalize VPNs.
Privacy vs. anonymity: VPNs provide privacy, but not necessarily anonymity.
Deep packet inspection: some networks may still be able to inspect encrypted packets.
Term
Definition
Example Usage
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides internet access to customers.
My ISP assigns me a dynamic IP address.
Encryption
The process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic to hide your activity.
IP Address
A unique address assigned to a device on a network.
The website I’m accessing uses my public IP address to identify me.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A service that creates a secure, encrypted connection between a device and the internet.
I use a VPN to access geo-restricted content while traveling abroad.
Packet
A unit of data transmitted over a network.
The packet contains the request and is sent to the destination server.
Router
A device that connects multiple networks together and routes data packets.
My router forwards the encrypted packet to the ISP.
Modem
A device that connects a computer to a network, such as the internet.
The modem converts digital signals to analog signals for transmission.
Logs
A record of events or activities, often used for auditing or monitoring purposes.
If a VPN keeps logs, your data and activity can still be obtained.
Deep Packet Inspection
The process of examining the contents of network packets, often used for security or monitoring purposes.
Some networks may still be able to inspect encrypted packets using deep packet inspection.
Anonymity
The state of being unknown or unidentified.
A VPN provides privacy, but not necessarily anonymity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr2-K6AaHNI
VPN Vocabulary Quiz
Test your understanding of VPN-related terms!
What does “encrypts” mean in the context of a VPN?
Protects data with a password
Converts data into a code to prevent unauthorized access
Hides data from the ISP
Assigns a random IP address
What is a “DNS lookup” in the context of a VPN?
The process of encrypting data
The process of assigning an IP address
The process of finding the destination server’s IP address
The process of bypassing location restrictions
What does “bypassing blocks” refer to in the context of a VPN?
Hiding your IP address from your ISP
Accessing blocked content or websites
Encrypting data before sending it
Assigning a random IP address
What is “deep packet inspection” in the context of a VPN?
The process of encrypting data
The process of assigning an IP address
The ability of some networks to inspect encrypted packets
The process of bypassing location restrictions
What is the difference between “privacy” and “anonymity” in the context of a VPN?
Privacy refers to hiding your IP address, while anonymity refers to hiding your activity
Privacy refers to hiding your activity, while anonymity refers to hiding your IP address
VPNs provide anonymity, but not necessarily privacy
VPNs provide privacy, but not necessarily anonymity
Answer Key
b) Converts data into a code to prevent unauthorized access
c) The process of finding the destination server’s IP address
b) Accessing blocked content or websites
c) The ability of some networks to inspect encrypted packets
d) VPNs provide privacy, but not necessarily anonymity
The Passive Voice in Technical Descriptions
Explanation
The passive voice is often used in technical descriptions to focus on the action or process rather than the doer. It is particularly useful when the doer is not important or is unknown. In the provided text, the passive voice is used to describe the steps involved in a normal internet connection and a VPN connection. For example, “Your ISP assigns an IP address and updates the packet…” and “The VPN server assigns a random IP address…”. The use of the passive voice makes the text more formal and objective, which is suitable for technical descriptions.
Grammar Quiz
Question 1
Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?
A) The router forwards the request to the modem and ISP.
B) The request is forwarded to the modem and ISP by the router.
C) The modem and ISP receive the request from the router.
D) The router sends the request to the modem and ISP.
Question 2
Why is the passive voice often used in technical descriptions?
A) To emphasize the doer of the action
B) To make the text more formal and objective
C) To make the text more informal and subjective
D) To confuse the reader
Question 3
Which of the following sentences is NOT in the passive voice?
A) The packet is sent to the destination server.
B) The ISP assigns an IP address and updates the packet.
C) The request is encrypted before it is sent to the router.
D) The VPN server handles the DNS lookup and connection to the destination server.
Question 4
What is the effect of using the passive voice in technical descriptions?
A) It makes the text more informal and subjective
B) It makes the text more formal and objective
C) It emphasizes the doer of the action
D) It confuses the reader
Question 5
Why is the passive voice used in the sentence “Your ISP can see your IP address, location, and activity.”?
A) To emphasize the doer of the action
B) To make the text more formal and objective
C) To focus on the action rather than the doer
D) To make the text more informal and subjective
Quiz Answer Key
Answer Key
1. B) The request is forwarded to the modem and ISP by the router.
2. B) To make the text more formal and objective
3. D) The VPN server handles the DNS lookup and connection to the destination server.
