I'm curious about how encryption with VPNs works. My VPN claims that all my data is completely encrypted, which I get for the signal leaving my device. But how is that data decrypted on the other end? How does the receiving party identify which VPN connection is sending the data? Furthermore, how do they manage multiple VPNs simultaneously?
4 Answers
Imagine you have a friend in another state who helps you send packages. You send them a bigger box, and they take each small package out and forward them for you. A VPN does a similar job; it compiles your encrypted data and forwards it securely.
You can think of it like this: when you and a friend agree on a secret language to communicate, nobody else understands it. This concept applies not just to VPNs but also to any HTTPS website you're using, which is also encrypted.
When you connect to a VPN like NordVPN, your connection is encrypted between your device and the VPN server. No one can see what's going on in that tunnel except you and Nord. Once you reach the VPN server, it sends requests to the internet on your behalf, so the websites only see the VPN’s IP, not yours. Just keep in mind that while your data is encrypted, that doesn't stop your VPN provider from possibly logging or selling your data.
Any encryption beyond the VPN's endpoint isn't managed by the VPN. Once your traffic hits the VPN server, it's decrypted there. If you're going to a secure site, that site may handle further encryption (like HTTPS), but the VPN doesn’t encrypt once it reaches its server.
Thanks that helps!