DEV Community: Abdul Qayum Akindele

Firewall: How It Works & How It Protects You

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:52:04 +0000

Firewall: How It Works & How It Protects You

When you connect your device to the internet, you're not alone.

Your device is constantly communicating with other devices, servers, applications, and websites. Data moves in and out through network connections—and not every connection should be trusted.

This is where a firewall comes in.

A firewall acts like a security checkpoint between your device or network and network traffic. It examines traffic and uses a set of rules to decide what should be allowed through and what should be blocked.

But how does it actually work?

Let's break it down.

What Is a Firewall?

A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls network traffic based on predefined security rules.

Its job is to help prevent unauthorized or unwanted network connections from reaching your device or network.

Think of a firewall like a security guard at a building.

The guard doesn't allow everyone to enter simply because they are standing at the door. They check whether someone is allowed in.

A firewall does something similar with network traffic.

Instead of checking people, it checks things such as:

Where the traffic came from
Where it is going
Which port is being used
Which protocol is being used
Whether the connection matches an allowed rule

Based on these rules, the firewall can allow or block the traffic.

*How Does a Firewall Work?
*
To understand firewalls, you first need to understand something simple:

Data travels across networks in packets.

When you visit a website, send a message, download a file, or use an online application, information is broken into smaller pieces called packets and transmitted across the network.

A simplified flow looks like this:

Your Device → Network → Internet

When traffic reaches your device or leaves it, the firewall can inspect the connection and compare it with its rules.

For example:

Incoming traffic → Firewall → Allowed or Blocked

If the traffic matches an allowed rule, the firewall lets it pass.

If it violates a rule, the firewall can block it.

That's the basic idea.

Inbound vs Outbound Traffic

Firewalls can deal with both incoming and outgoing traffic.

Inbound Traffic

Inbound traffic is data coming toward your device or network.

For example, an outside system attempting to connect to a service running on your computer.

A firewall can determine whether that connection should be allowed.

Outbound Traffic

Outbound traffic is data leaving your device or network.

For example, an application on your computer connecting to an online server.

Depending on the firewall's configuration, that connection can also be monitored or restricted.

This is important because security isn't only about asking:

«"Who is trying to get into my device?"»

It can also involve asking:

«"What is trying to communicate from my device?"»

Firewall Rules: The Real Decision Maker

A firewall doesn't magically know whether something is good or bad.

It follows rules.

For example, a firewall may have rules that essentially say:

Allow this type of connection.

Block this source.

Allow this application.

Block this port.

The exact rules depend on the firewall and how it has been configured.

This is why firewall configuration matters.

A badly configured firewall may not provide the protection you expect, while a properly configured one can significantly reduce unwanted network exposure.

Firewall vs Antivirus

When I first started learning about cybersecurity, it was easy to think:

"A firewall and antivirus basically do the same thing."

They're related, but they're not the same.

A firewall primarily focuses on network traffic and connections.

An antivirus or anti-malware solution primarily focuses on detecting and dealing with malicious software.

Think of it this way:

Firewall → Controls network traffic

Antivirus → Helps detect malicious software

They solve different parts of the security problem.

And that's why having one doesn't automatically make the other unnecessary.

Types of Firewalls

Firewalls can exist in different forms.

Network Firewalls

These protect networks by controlling traffic moving between different networks.

They are commonly used in organizations, schools, businesses, and other environments where many devices need to communicate securely.

Host-Based Firewalls

These run directly on individual devices.

For example, your computer's operating system may have a built-in firewall that controls connections to and from that particular device.

Hardware Firewalls

These are dedicated network devices that can sit between a network and the wider internet.

They can protect multiple devices on a network.

Software Firewalls

These are firewall programs running on a device.

They can provide more device-specific control over network connections.

A Simple Real-World Example

Imagine you're using your laptop at home.

Your laptop communicates with different services across the internet.

Now imagine an unexpected connection attempts to reach a service on your computer.

The firewall can examine that connection and compare it against its rules.

If the connection isn't permitted, the firewall can block it.

The important thing to understand is that the firewall isn't necessarily saying:

"This person is a hacker."

Instead, it may simply be saying:

"This connection doesn't match the rules, so it isn't allowed."

That's an important distinction.

Does a Firewall Make You Completely Safe?

No.

A firewall is an important layer of security, but it isn't a complete cybersecurity solution.

Think of cybersecurity as having multiple layers.

You can have:

Firewall + Antivirus/Anti-malware + Strong Passwords + MFA + Software Updates + Safe Browsing Habits

Each layer addresses different risks.

A firewall cannot protect you from every phishing attack, every malicious file, weak passwords, or every form of social engineering.

Security is about layers, not one magical tool.

Why You Shouldn't Randomly Disable Your Firewall

Sometimes an application may have connection problems and someone might suggest:

«"Just turn off the firewall."»

That isn't always a good idea.

If a firewall is blocking something legitimate, the better approach is to understand what is being blocked and why, then make an appropriate configuration change if necessary.

Disabling security controls without understanding the consequences can create unnecessary risk.

Final Takeaway

A firewall is one of the fundamental building blocks of network security.

It monitors network traffic and applies rules to determine which connections should be allowed or blocked.

The easiest way to remember it is:

Firewall = Traffic Control

Antivirus = Malware Protection

They are different, but they can work together as part of a broader security strategy.

And this is the bigger lesson I'm learning as I continue my cybersecurity journey:

Being secure isn't about having one perfect security tool. It's about understanding how different layers work together to reduce risk.

From IP addresses, to VPNs, to proxies, and now firewalls, each topic reveals another part of how communication on the internet actually works.

And the deeper I go, the more I realize:

You don't need to know everything about cybersecurity to start learning it.

You just need to keep asking:

"How does this actually work?"

I Was Called “Aspiring” — Then I Realized I Had Already Started Becoming

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:22:07 +0000

I Was Called “Aspiring” — Then I Realized I Had Already Started Becoming
A small comment on LinkedIn made me question how I see myself.
I have followed BeTechified on WhatsApp since 2025.
A few days ago, I was reading one of their posts about building in public on LinkedIn. I decided to continue the conversation in the comments, and I shared my thoughts.
Then I saw a reply directed at me:
“Abdul Qayum Akindele remove that ‘Aspiring’ from your headline.”
I was confused.
Why?
Because my headline said:
Aspiring Cybersecurity & AI Professional | Content Writer | Self-Directed Learner | Open to Internships & Entry-Level Opportunities
I had never really thought deeply about the word “aspiring.”
To me, it simply meant that I was still learning.
Still growing.
Still trying to become better.
So why remove it?
I Didn't Immediately Understand
Instead of changing my headline immediately, I sat down and thought about it.
Then I did something simple.
I searched my name on Google again.
And there it was.
Google was describing me as an:
“Aspiring cybersecurity and artificial intelligence professional.”
That made me pause.
Because suddenly, I was looking at the word from a completely different perspective.
Was I still only aspiring?
Or had I already started doing the work?
So I went to ChatGPT and asked questions about it.
Then I decided to go directly to the source.
I messaged BeTechified privately and asked for more clarification.
The response made everything clearer:
“We recommend removing ‘aspiring’ because it can make your LinkedIn profile sound like you’re only hoping to become something rather than actively developing the skills.”
And honestly...
That hit differently.
Because I Realized Something
A few months ago, “aspiring” described me perfectly.
I was figuring things out.
I was beginning my cybersecurity journey.
I was learning.
I was exploring.
I was trying to understand where I wanted to go.
But today?
I'm still learning, yes.
But I'm also doing.
I've completed cybersecurity training and earned certifications.
I've completed AI-focused learning.
I'm learning Python.
I'm writing technical content.
I'm creating cybersecurity content.
I'm building my YouTube channel.
I'm building OFF_LIMIT TECH.
I'm documenting what I learn publicly.
I've built a network of more than 1,000 LinkedIn connections and 1,000+ followers.
And most importantly, I'm no longer just thinking about becoming someone in technology.
I'm actively becoming that person.
So I Changed How I Describe Myself
I decided to move away from:
“Aspiring Cybersecurity & AI Professional”
and toward:
Cybersecurity & AI Learner | Technical Content Writer | Cybersecurity Content Creator
I chose “Learner” deliberately.
Because I don't want to pretend that I've reached the destination.
I haven't.
There is still so much I don't know.
There are certifications I haven't earned.
Projects I haven't built.
Skills I haven't mastered.
Experiences I haven't had.
But there's a difference between saying:
“I hope to become this someday.”
and saying:
“I'm already learning, building, creating and working toward becoming this.”
That's the difference I finally understood.
The Lesson I'll Keep
Sometimes, our profiles don't catch up with our growth immediately.
We keep describing ourselves using an old version of who we were.
Maybe that's what happened to me.
My headline was still describing the Abdul Qayum from a few months ago.
But I had changed.
My skills had changed.
My projects had changed.
My confidence had changed.
My direction had changed.
Even the way people were discovering and responding to my work had changed.
I just hadn't changed the words yet.
And it took one simple comment from someone I had been following since 2025 to make me notice.
Thank you, BeTechified.
Not because you gave me a new title.
But because you made me stop and ask myself:
“Who am I now?”
And I think that's a question every person building their career should ask from time to time.
I'm Still Becoming
I don't want this article to sound like I've made it.
I haven't.
I'm still a student of technology.
Still learning cybersecurity.
Still learning AI.
Still learning Python.
Still learning how to write better.
Still learning how to communicate.
Still learning how to build.
But now I understand something I didn't understand a few months ago:
You don't have to wait until you've reached the destination before acknowledging the journey you're already on.
So yes...
I'm still learning.
I'm still building.
I'm still creating.
I'm still becoming.
But I'm no longer just aspiring.
And this little moment?
I'll always cherish it. ❤️
A note to anyone reading this
If you're currently using words like aspiring, don't feel pressured to remove them just because someone else did.
Ask yourself honestly:
Does this word still describe where I am today?
If it does, keep it.
If you've grown beyond it, don't be afraid to update the story you're telling about yourself.
Sometimes, changing one word is a reminder that you've changed too.

NEW VIDEO PUBLISHED

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:56:50 +0000

🔥 What exactly is a firewall?

It's more than just a "wall" protecting your computer.

My new OFF_LIMIT TECH video breaks down:

🛡️ What a firewall is
🌐 How it controls network traffic
🚫 How it blocks unauthorized connections
💻 Hardware vs software firewalls
🦠 Firewall vs antivirus
⚠️ What a firewall can't protect you from

🎥 Watch now: "Watch on YouTube" https://youtu.be/eDK83DMo3bU

Learn. Protect. Stay Ahead.

OFFLIMITTECH #Firewall #Cybersecurity #Tech

IP Address: What It Is, How It Works & What It Reveals About You

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 05:42:06 +0000

IP Address: What It Is, How It Works & What It Reveals About You

Every time you connect to the internet, your device communicates with other devices and servers around the world.

But how does the internet know where to send the information you requested?

The answer starts with something called an IP address.

If you've ever wondered what an IP address is, why websites can see it, or whether someone can hack you just by knowing it, this article is for you.

What Is an IP Address?

IP address stands for Internet Protocol address.

An IP address is a numerical address assigned to a device or network interface that allows it to communicate over an IP network.

Think of it like a mailing address for internet communication.

Imagine you open Google and search for something.

Your request has to travel through different networks before reaching Google's servers. The response also needs to know where to go when the server sends the requested information back.

Your IP address helps make that communication possible.

In simple terms:

Your device → Network → Internet → Server → Response → Your device

Without IP addressing, devices would have no standardized way to identify where network traffic should be delivered.

How Does an IP Address Work?

Let's say you search for:

"What is cybersecurity?"

When you send that request, your device communicates through your network connection. The traffic is routed across networks until it reaches the appropriate server.

The server processes your request and sends a response back.

Your IP address plays an important role in this process because network devices use IP addresses to determine where packets of data should be sent.

You can think of it like sending a package.

The package needs:

A destination
A route
An address

Internet traffic works in a similar way.

The Two Main Versions of IP

There are two major versions of the Internet Protocol currently used:

IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4

IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4.

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses and is commonly written as four numbers separated by periods.

For example:

8.8.8.8

Each section can contain a value from 0 to 255.

IPv4 provides approximately 4.3 billion possible addresses.

That sounded like a huge number when IPv4 was designed.

But as the internet grew and billions of devices began connecting to networks, IPv4 addresses became increasingly scarce.

That's one of the major reasons IPv6 was developed.

IPv6

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6.

Instead of using 32-bit addresses like IPv4, IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.

An IPv6 address looks much longer than an IPv4 address.

For example:

2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334

The enormous address space provided by IPv6 allows for an extremely large number of unique addresses.

This makes IPv6 much better suited for a world where phones, computers, servers, smart TVs, cameras, cars, and countless other devices are connected to the internet.

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

Not every IP address is directly visible on the public internet.

There are two important categories to understand:

Public IP Address

Your public IP address is the address associated with your connection to the wider internet.

When you visit a website, that website can generally see the public IP address from which your connection is coming.

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) typically assigns or manages this address for your connection.

Private IP Address

A private IP address is used inside a local network.

For example, your home Wi-Fi router may assign private IP addresses to devices such as:

Your smartphone
Laptop
Smart TV
Printer
Gaming console

These devices can communicate with each other through the local network without each one needing its own public IPv4 address.

This is commonly made possible through NAT (Network Address Translation).

Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses

You may also hear the terms static IP and dynamic IP.

A static IP address generally remains the same.

A dynamic IP address can change over time, depending on how the network is configured.

For ordinary home internet users, dynamic addressing is common.

For certain servers and business services, having a stable address can be useful.

What Can Someone Learn From Your IP Address?

This is where things get interesting.

Your IP address can provide information about your internet connection.

Depending on the available databases and circumstances, an IP address can potentially reveal information such as:

Your approximate geographical location
Your Internet Service Provider
Your general network
Information associated with the organization controlling the address

But there's an important misconception to clear up.

An IP address usually does NOT reveal your exact home address.

Someone cannot normally look at an IP address and instantly obtain your exact street address.

IP geolocation is generally approximate.

For example, an IP address might indicate a particular city or region, but that doesn't necessarily mean the person using it is physically located at that exact point.

Can Someone Hack You Just Because They Know Your IP?

Knowing someone's IP address does not automatically mean they can hack their device.

An IP address is not a password.

However, exposing an IP address can still be relevant from a security perspective.

For example, attackers may attempt to:

Scan for exposed network services
Target vulnerable systems
Launch denial-of-service attacks
Gather information about a network

The actual risk depends heavily on the device, network configuration, exposed services, vulnerabilities, and security controls.

So don't panic if someone knows your IP address.

Instead, focus on good security practices.

Keep your devices updated, use strong authentication, secure your router, and avoid exposing unnecessary services to the internet.

Can a VPN Hide Your IP Address?

Yes.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can change the public IP address that websites see.

Without a VPN, your traffic might look roughly like this:

Your Device → ISP → Website

With a VPN:

Your Device → ISP → VPN Server → Website

The website generally sees the VPN server's public IP address instead of your original public IP address.

This can make it harder for websites to associate your activity with your normal public IP address.

However, a VPN is not invisibility.

Your VPN provider can still have visibility into certain aspects of your connection, depending on its architecture, policies, and logging practices.

A VPN is a privacy and security tool—not a magic cloak that makes you completely anonymous online.

What About a Proxy?

A proxy server can also act as an intermediary between you and a website.

The basic idea is:

Your Device → Proxy Server → Website

The website may see the proxy's IP address instead of your original public IP address.

However, proxies and VPNs are not identical.

A VPN typically operates at the network level and can route traffic from multiple applications through the VPN tunnel, while a proxy is often configured for a particular application or type of traffic.

Why Should You Care About Your IP Address?

Your IP address is one of the fundamental building blocks of internet communication.

Every time you browse a website, stream a video, send a request to a server, or communicate across a network, IP addressing is involved somewhere in the process.

Understanding IP addresses helps you understand bigger cybersecurity concepts such as:

VPNs → Proxies → Firewalls → Network Security → Cyber Attacks → Online Privacy

And that is why learning something as simple as an IP address can be the beginning of understanding how the internet actually works.

Final Thoughts

An IP address is essentially an address used for communication across an IP network.

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.

Your public IP can provide information about your internet connection and approximate location, but it does not normally reveal your exact physical address.

And while knowing an IP address alone doesn't give someone the ability to simply "hack" you, exposed and vulnerable network services can create security risks.

The more you understand about IP addresses, the easier it becomes to understand how your data travels across the internet—and how tools like VPNs and proxies can change the path that traffic takes.

The internet may feel invisible, but underneath it is a massive system of addresses, networks, servers, and protocols working together.

And your IP address is one small but important part of that system.

🔐 OFF_LIMIT TECH

Learn technology. Understand the risks. Stay one step ahead.

New video published

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:41:19 +0000

🚨 NEW VIDEO IS OUT! 🚨
🌐 IP Address: What It Is, How It Works & What It Reveals About You
Ever wondered what your IP address actually reveals about you? 👀
I just dropped a new video where I break it down in a simple, beginner-friendly way.
🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/FnR553sv-XI⁠�
If you watch it, I'd really appreciate your feedback 🙏
Like 👍 Comment 💬 Share 🔄
— OFF_LIMIT TECH 🛡️

Proxy vs. VPN: A Beginner & Developer Guide to Online Routing

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:09:36 +0000

Proxy vs. VPN: A Beginner & Developer Guide to Online Routing
Description:
A practical technical comparison between proxies and VPNs, explaining traffic routing, encryption, IP masking, developer use cases, and when to use each technology.
Have you ever wondered why developers, cybersecurity professionals, and privacy-conscious users use both VPNs and proxies to route internet traffic?
At first glance, they can look almost identical. Both can place an intermediary server between your device or application and the destination you're accessing, and both can make the destination see the intermediary's IP address instead of your original one.
But they aren't the same.
The biggest differences are how traffic is routed, what traffic is affected, and where encryption comes into play.
In this guide, we'll break down VPNs and proxies and look at how their traffic flows, compare their technical differences, and explore when a developer might choose one over the other.
🔐 What Is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server.
Think of it as creating a protected path between your device and the VPN server. Your traffic travels through this encrypted connection before continuing toward its destination.
A VPN can be configured to route much or all of a device's traffic through the VPN tunnel, depending on the VPN client and configuration.
How Does a VPN Work?
Without a VPN, your device normally connects through your ISP or mobile network before reaching the destination.
Without a VPN:
[Your Device]
↓
ISP
↓
[Destination Website]

When a VPN is enabled:
[Your Device]
↓
[Encrypted VPN Tunnel]
↓
[VPN Server]
↓
[Destination Website]

The connection between your device and the VPN server is encrypted. The destination website generally sees the VPN server's public IP address rather than your original IP address.
Proton VPN +1
What does this mean?
Imagine you're connected to public Wi-Fi.
Without a VPN, your traffic travels through the local network normally.
With a VPN, your connection to the VPN server is protected by encryption, making it much harder for someone monitoring the local network to inspect the contents of that traffic.
However, a VPN doesn't make you completely anonymous.
Your VPN provider becomes an important party you have to trust, and websites can still identify you through things such as accounts, cookies, and browser fingerprinting.
🌐 What Is a Proxy?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client and another server.
For example, a browser or application can send its request to a proxy, and the proxy then communicates with the destination.
A simplified flow looks like this:
[Application / Script]
↓
[Proxy Server]
↓
[Destination Website]

Instead of your application communicating directly with the destination, the proxy sits in the middle.
This can be useful when you want to route specific application traffic through another server.
For example, you might configure:
A web browser to use a proxy
A Python script to use a proxy
A development tool to use a proxy
A testing environment to use a proxy
But this doesn't automatically mean that every application on your device is using the proxy.
HTTP proxies are commonly associated with application-level web traffic, while SOCKS provides a more general mechanism for relaying connections.
MDN Web Docs +1
⚔️ VPN vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?
Here's the simplest comparison:
Feature
VPN
Proxy
Main purpose
Securely tunnel network traffic
Relay selected traffic
Traffic scope
Often device/network-wide
Often application-specific
IP masking
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
Encrypted tunnel
✅ Typically
⚠️ Depends on protocol/configuration
Configuration
OS, application, or network
Often application-specific
Common uses
Privacy, secure remote access, untrusted networks
Testing, routing, filtering, application traffic
Examples
WireGuard, OpenVPN
HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5
Important: A proxy should not automatically be described as "unencrypted." For example, HTTPS can encrypt the connection between the client and website even when a proxy is involved. HTTP proxies can also establish HTTPS tunnels using the CONNECT method.
MDN Web Docs +1
🔒 1. Encryption and Traffic Protection
This is one of the most important differences to understand.
A VPN establishes an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server.
For example:
Your Device
↓
🔐 Encrypted Connection
↓
VPN Server
↓
Website

The encryption protects the connection between your device and the VPN server.
But there's an important detail beginners often miss:
The VPN doesn't magically encrypt the entire journey from your device to the website as one continuous VPN tunnel.
Once traffic reaches the VPN server, it continues toward the destination. If the destination uses HTTPS/TLS, that connection is protected by HTTPS as well
Proton VPN +1
This distinction matters because it prevents the common misconception that a VPN provides unlimited protection against every form of online tracking.
🧩 2. Operational Scope
Another major difference is what traffic you want to route.
Suppose you configure a proxy inside your browser:
Browser ────────> Proxy ────────> Website

Your other applications may still use your normal network connection unless they are separately configured to use the proxy.
A VPN, depending on its configuration, can instead route much broader device traffic through the VPN tunnel.
That's why a VPN is often more appropriate when the goal is protecting a device's network connection, while a proxy can be useful when you only need to control the traffic generated by a particular application.
⚡ 3. Performance and Workloads
Performance depends on many factors, including:
Server location
Network quality
Encryption overhead
Protocol
Server load
Application configuration
So it's too simplistic to say "proxies are always faster than VPNs."
Instead, think about the workload.
A proxy may make sense when:
You're routing a particular application.
You're testing how a service behaves from different IP addresses.
You're building a development or automation workflow.
You need application-specific routing.
A VPN may make more sense when:
You want an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server.
You're using an untrusted network.
You want broader device-level traffic protection.
You're connecting to a private network remotely.
👨🏾‍💻 Practical Developer Use Cases
This is where the difference becomes particularly useful for developers.
Example 1: Web Testing
Imagine you're testing how your website behaves for users connecting from different locations.
You might use a proxy to route a specific testing application through different proxy servers.
Testing Script
↓
Proxy A
↓
Website
Then:
Testing Script
↓
Proxy B
↓
Website
This allows you to test different network conditions or source IPs.
Example 2: Python Application
A Python application can be configured to send requests through a proxy.
Python Script
↓
SOCKS5/HTTP Proxy
↓
Destination Server
This is one reason proxies are commonly encountered in automation, testing, and network tooling.
🛡️ When Should You Use a VPN?
A VPN may be the better choice when your goal is broader network protection.
Choose a VPN when:
🔹 You want an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server.
🔹 You're connecting through an untrusted network.
🔹 You want to hide your original IP address from websites.
🔹 You need access to a private network remotely.
🔹 You want broader traffic routing rather than configuring individual applications.
Remember, the exact protection depends on the VPN configuration and provider.
🌐 When Should You Use a Proxy?
A proxy can be useful when you want more targeted traffic routing.
Choose a proxy when:
🔹 You only need to route traffic from a particular application.
🔹 You're performing web or application testing.
🔹 You're developing software that needs proxy support.
🔹 You're working with network tools that support HTTP or SOCKS proxies.
🔹 You need application-specific routing.
🚨 The Anonymity Fallacy
Here's something extremely important:
Neither a VPN nor a proxy makes you completely anonymous.
Even when your IP address is hidden, websites can still use other information to identify or track you.
For example:
🍪 Cookies
🌐 Browser fingerprinting
🔐 Logged-in accounts
📱 Device information
📊 Behavioral patterns
🖥️ Browser storage
If you're logged into your Google, GitHub, or social-media account, changing your IP address doesn't suddenly make that account anonymous.
A VPN is better understood as a privacy and network-security tool, not an invisibility cloak.
🧠 VPN or Proxy: Which One Should You Choose?
There isn't a universal winner.
It depends on the problem you're trying to solve.
If you want...
Consider
Broader device traffic protection
🔐 VPN
An encrypted connection to a VPN server
🔐 VPN
Application-specific routing
🌐 Proxy
Development/testing traffic routing
🌐 Proxy
Different source IPs for testing
🌐 Proxy
Secure access to a private network
🔐 VPN
The important question isn't:
"Which one is better?"
It's:
"What networking problem am I trying to solve?"
Once you understand that, choosing between a VPN and proxy becomes much easier.
🏁 Final Verdict
A proxy is an intermediary that can relay traffic from a particular application or client to another server.
A VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server and can route broader device traffic through that tunnel, depending on configuration.
Both can hide your original IP address from the destination, but they solve different problems.
Understanding the difference is more valuable than simply knowing how to turn either one on.
👨🏾‍💻 About the Author
Akindele Abdul Qayum O
Aspiring Cybersecurity Professional | Technical Writer | Educating Beginners About Cybersecurity
I write beginner-friendly articles about cybersecurity, networking, online privacy, and technology to make complex technical concepts easier to understand.
📚 Sources & Further Reading
Proton VPN — How Does a VPN Work?⁠
Proton VPN — What Is a VPN Tunnel?⁠
MDN — HTTP Proxies and Tunneling⁠
MDN — HTTP CONNECT Method⁠
MDN — HTTP Overview and Proxies⁠

New Video Published!

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:10:05 +0000

New Video Published!
I just released a beginner-friendly YouTube video explaining VPNs—from the basics to the different types and how to choose the right one.
If you're interested in cybersecurity or online privacy, I'd love your feedback.
🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/43Jy7769oZk?si=iMO6SWdmpH_m1bha⁠

What Is a VPN? A Beginner's Guide to Online Privacy

Abdul Qayum Akindele — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:46:08 +0000

In today's interconnected world, almost everything we do online leaves a digital footprint. Every website visit, search query, and transaction travels across networks where it can potentially be monitored. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the most effective tools available for safeguarding your personal data and taking control of your digital privacy.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a security service that creates a private, encrypted connection over a public network, such as the internet.
Think of a VPN as a secure, covered vehicle traveling down a public highway. While anyone can see vehicles moving on the road, no one outside your vehicle can see who is inside, what you are carrying, or where you originally came from.
How does a VPN work?
When you connect to the internet without a VPN, your device sends data directly to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which then routes it to the target website. Your ISP—and potentially malicious actors on insecure networks—can see your Internet Protocol (IP) address and the unencrypted traffic you transmit.

When you launch a VPN client, it alters this path through two key mechanisms:
Encryption: Your VPN software encrypts your data packet before it leaves your device. Even if intercepted, the data appears as unreadable gibberish.
Tunneling and IP Masking: The encrypted data travels through a secure "tunnel" to a VPN server operated by your provider. The server decrypts the data and forwards it to the final website. The website sees the IP address of the VPN server rather than your device’s actual IP address.
Why should you use one?
Online privacy is rarely about hiding bad behavior; it is about protecting sensitive personal information. You should consider using a VPN to:
Protect Sensitive Data on Public Wi-Fi: Coffee shop or airport networks are notoriously insecure. A VPN prevents bad actors on the same network from sniffing out passwords, session cookies, or credit card details.
Prevent ISP Data Harvesting: In many regions, ISPs can legally track and log your browsing history to sell to advertising brokers. A VPN hides your destination URLs from your provider.
Maintain Privacy Across Web Services: Masking your IP address reduces the ability of data aggregators to build persistent location profiles on you.
Advantages
Using a trusted VPN brings several clear technical and operational benefits:
Strong Data Encryption: Modern VPNs use military-grade ciphers (such as AES-256 or ChaCha20) to lock down data transfers.
Anonymity of Location: By selecting servers in different countries, you can obscure your physical location from web servers.
Protection Against Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Encryption prevents unauthorized nodes along the network path from intercepting or altering your data streams.
Limitations
While powerful, a VPN is not a single cure-all for web security:
Speed Overhead: Encryption and extra routing distances can cause minor latency increases or slower download speeds.
Trust Requirement: A VPN shifts visibility away from your ISP onto your VPN provider. If the provider logs your activity, your privacy remains compromised.
No Protection Against User Error: A VPN cannot protect you if you download malicious software, enter credentials into phishing pages, or remain logged into tracking-heavy social media accounts.
Common myths
Myth 1: "A VPN makes me completely anonymous online."
Reality: A VPN provides privacy, not total anonymity. Web trackers, browser fingerprinting, and account logins can still identify you.
Myth 2: "Free VPNs offer the exact same protection as paid ones."
Reality: Maintaining server infrastructure is expensive. Free services often monetize by logging your activity, injecting ads, or selling bandwidth.
Myth 3: "Only people doing illegal things need a VPN."
Reality: Everyone benefits from securing their financial data, health searches, and personal communications from corporate surveillance and hackers.
Best practices
To get the most out of a VPN while maintaining security:
Choose a Proven "No-Logs" Provider: Look for providers whose strict no-logging policies have been independently verified by third-party security audits.
Enable the Kill Switch: Ensure your VPN app has a kill switch enabled, which automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops to prevent accidental data leaks.
Use Modern Protocols: Stick to modern, performant protocols such as WireGuard or OpenVPN rather than outdated options like PPTP.
Combine with Good Hygiene: Pair your VPN with browser privacy extensions (like uBlock Origin) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) across your accounts.
Conclusion
A VPN is an essential building block of modern digital hygiene. By encrypting your network traffic and masking your physical location, it hands control of your personal data back to you. While it won't solve every cyber threat on its own, adopting a VPN—alongside strong passwords and smart browsing habits—ensures a safer, much more private internet experience.