How Does a VPN Work? Your Complete Technical Guide

November 15, 2025

A simple explanation of what happens when you turn a VPN on

You have heard a VPN protects your privacy. You know it keeps your connection safer. But what actually happens under the hood when you tap the switch?

Here is the technical story in plain language. No jargon. No noise. Just what matters.

Privacy made effortless.

What a VPN does in the simplest terms

When you connect to the internet without a VPN:

  • your device connects straight to the website
  • the website sees your real IP address
  • your ISP can see which services you connect to
  • unencrypted traffic can be exposed on shared networks

 

When you connect with a VPN:

  • your device connects to a secure VPN server
  • the VPN server connects to the website for you
  • the website sees the VPN server’s IP address, not yours
  • your ISP only sees an encrypted connection to the VPN
  • all traffic between you and the VPN server is encrypted

 

Result:

Your data is encrypted.

Your real location is masked.

Shared Wi Fi becomes safer to use.

Your activity stays yours.

What “VPN” actually means

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.

  • Virtual

     A software-based network connection, not a physical cable.
  • Private

     Encrypted so others on the network cannot read it.
  • Network

     A secure path between your device and the VPN server.

Technically, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a secure server. Everything you send passes through this tunnel.

How VPN encryption works

Encryption explained simply

Encryption scrambles your data so only the intended recipient can read it.

Imagine sending a message in a locked box. Anyone can see the box, but only someone with the key can open it.

A VPN does the same thing for your internet connection.

 

ChaCha20: the encryption Max uses

Max uses ChaCha20-Poly1305, a modern encryption system designed for both speed and safety.

 

ChaCha20 is known for:

  • strong security
  • high performance on mobile processors
  • low battery impact
  • consistent performance without requiring special hardware

 

It delivers security equivalent to AES-256 but is lighter on mobile devices.

This is why Max feels fast even when the VPN is active.

What VPN encryption actually protects

When Max VPN is on, the encrypted tunnel protects:

  • websites you load
  • data you send and receive
  • account logins
  • messages sent through web apps
  • downloads and uploads
  • app traffic on your device
  • background connections

 

If it leaves your device while the VPN is active, it goes through the tunnel.

Why encryption matters on public Wi Fi

Shared Wi Fi in cafés, hotels, airports and workplaces can expose parts of your connection.

Without a VPN:

  • networks can see your unencrypted traffic
  • DNS lookups reveal which sites you visit
  • other users on the network can attempt interception

 

With a VPN:

  • your data is encrypted
  • DNS queries travel inside the tunnel
  • your ISP and local network see only the VPN connection
  • browsing, banking and messaging become much safer

 

A VPN turns untrusted networks into predictable ones.

IP addresses and location masking

What is an IP address?

Your IP address is the identifier your device uses online.

It reveals your approximate location and can be used to track your activity across sites.

 

How a VPN hides your IP

Without VPN:

  • websites see your real IP
  • your location is exposed

 

With VPN:

  • websites see the VPN server’s IP
  • your physical location is hidden
  • your ISP only sees the VPN connection

Shared IP addresses improve privacy

Many VPN users connect through the same server.

That means:

  • everyone shares the same exit IP
  • websites cannot easily distinguish individual users

 

Your identity blends into a crowd.

Routing and tunnelling

A VPN tunnel is the encrypted path between your device and the VPN server.

Without a VPN:

  • data goes straight from you to the website

 

With a VPN:

  • data goes through the encrypted tunnel to the VPN server
  • the VPN server makes the request on your behalf
  • the response returns through the tunnel

 

Your ISP sees the tunnel, not the destination.

Max uses the WireGuard protocol

WireGuard is the modern standard for VPN connections.

It is known for:

  • strong cryptography
  • fast performance
  • quick reconnection
  • simple, auditable code
  • low battery usage
  • stable mobile handling

 

WireGuard + ChaCha20 = modern, efficient privacy.

Max uses this combination on all platforms.

How a VPN connection starts

When you switch on Max VPN:

  1. Your device generates encryption keys
  2. The VPN server verifies the connection
  3. Both sides exchange cryptographic credentials
  4. An encrypted tunnel is created
  5. All traffic flows through that tunnel

 

To the user, it feels instant.

Technically, it is a secure handshake built on trusted mathematics.

What the VPN encrypts (and what it cannot encrypt)

Encrypted:

  • browsing activity
  • app traffic
  • login credentials
  • file transfers
  • DNS lookups
  • IP address details
  • messages sent through apps that use the internet
  • background services

Not encrypted:

  • the fact you are using a VPN
  • the VPN server’s IP
  • websites you log into still know who you are (because you log in with your account)

 

A VPN protects your connection.

It does not make you anonymous.

DNS and privacy

DNS is the address book of the internet.

Without a VPN, your ISP can see every domain you look up.

With Max VPN:

  • DNS requests go through the tunnel
  • the lookup happens through the VPN
  • your ISP does not see the domains you request

 

This adds an important layer of privacy.

Speed and performance

A VPN adds a step to your connection.

This can influence speed based on:

  • server location
  • network congestion
  • mobile coverage
  • device performance

 

Max is built to minimise this through:

  • WireGuard’s efficient protocol
  • ChaCha20’s mobile-optimised encryption
  • smart server routing

 

In most cases, browsing and everyday use feel smooth and steady.

Using VPN for location-based access (legal context)

A VPN can help you appear as if you are accessing the internet from a different region. This is used for:

Legal use cases:

  • accessing services you already subscribe to while travelling
  • connecting to your home country’s government services
  • maintaining privacy on untrusted networks

 

Users should always follow local laws and service terms when accessing content.

A VPN is a privacy tool.

How you use it determines compliance.

The Max difference

Max combines:

  • a full device VPN using WireGuard
  • modern ChaCha20 encryption
  • a private browser with built-in tracker blocking
  • simple one-switch activation
  • 2GB of free VPN data every month
  • upgrade options when you want unlimited data
  • Australian governance for privacy clarity

 

Everything you need.

Nothing you don’t.

Browse with confidence on any device.

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