A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network security technology that uses encryption and tunneling protocols to create a secure connection over a public network to protect data and communications while remotely accessing another network or the Internet. Here’s how a VPN works:

The client connects to the VPN server
The user opens the VPN client and connects to the VPN server. The connection can be done over the internet or a private network, depending on the type of service of the VPN provider.

Encryption and Tunneling Protocols
Encryption technologies such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS (Transport Layer Security), and IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) are used between VPN clients and servers to encrypt communications. During this process, a secure channel, called a tunnel, is established between the VPN client and server. This tunnel encrypts all transmitted data so that only authenticated users can access it.

User accesses protected resources in VPN
Once a secure channel is established, users can access protected resources such as files, printers, databases or websites through VPN. These resources may be located on the VPN provider’s server, or in another network to which the client is connected.

Anonymity and Privacy Protection
Using a VPN also hides the user’s real IP address, making it difficult to be tracked. This helps protect user privacy and data security. A VPN can also help users avoid geo-location restrictions to access restricted content or services.

To sum up, a VPN provides users with a secure connection on public networks and protects their data and communications through encryption and tunneling protocols.