VPN (Virtual Private Network) Explained

►Get the VPN that I use (affiliate). nordvpn.com/powercert
Save 65% on a 2-year plan + 4 months free
What is a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. A VPN is what establishes a secure and reliable network connection over an unsecure network such as the internet. It protects your internet traffic and disguises your identity as you surf the internet.
This video was NOT sponsored. I was NOT paid to make this video by anyone.

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

►Exclusive New Year's Deal. Get the VPN that I use (affiliate). nordvpn.com/powercert Save 64% on a 2-year plan + 4 months free

[@binarywizard69420]

Perfect sponser

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Not sponsored. It's just an affiliate link. Was not paid anything to make this video.

[@iliesscsgo7388]

please talk about ACL -ACCESSE CONTROLE LIST-

[@amelliamendel2227]

If you look at your internet traffic with full spectrum rf, you'll most likely see that outside the data stream there's a second side stream, that is sending all of your DNS requests somewhere. If not you're ISP, then whom?

[@ahmadalqurneh9774]

Is VPN the same as IPSec? Are they the same topic?

[@paulrybarczyk5013]

I’ve watched dozens of your videos since discovering your channel a few days ago. Your ability to simply explain complex technologies is amazing.❤

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Glad you like them!

[@isaiahbih]

literally me. Going through the google IT support course on coursera and these videos on here are way better explaining topics

[@saskiavanhoutert6081]

Yes, it's splendid explained and I like the voice.

[@rinkydhar7908]

Today while browsing I come across your link it's amazing. It would be wonderful if you can provide some classes on networking as I work for Network company

[@augustemaillot102]

Also, some VPN providers (most of the time free ones) act often like ISPs, as they sell to third parties your activity on their VPN

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Fact

[@badgerden7080]

Yep.

[@Someone-bf8ru]

I'm never as excited to learn as I am whenever you upload a new video. Greatest explanations ever!

[@lightning369]

I have just subscribed after watching one video. You have a knack for delivering video content while faceless. Your way of explanation is awesomely on another level. One can easily comprehend the concepts and the flow of information fully. Keep it up.

[@NK-iw6rq]

Thank you Professor PowerCert ! You have this uncanny ability to explain technical concepts in a manner that is easy to understand.

[@trantrunghieu3633]

I've just been really confused about VPNs all the time, but your video made me instantly understand all of it. Love your videos

[@priceg.t6895]

Been following your videos for a while now, it helped me a lot, thank you.

[@SahilKhan-iu8oq]

Hey your effort towards providing the quality content is just amazing!! I just wanted to say you that please make a complete detailed video on the OSI and TCP/IP MODEL. That would be really helpful 😌

[@Working800]

I love this channel, your content is great, I've been following you a few years now and when I need to refresh/learn something this is the first place I try to go

[@JerseyJeff84]

I could completely relate to the remote work part, as my IT Director is adamant about everyone using a VPN, as 95% of our workforce at my employer are fully remote.

[@repsrandom6474]

Great video as always. One thing I wanted you to mention is different TYPES of vpn, like peer-to-peer, web-to-web or something like that.

[@Casanova_999]

Chapters: 0:07 - What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? 0:24 - How Internet Service Provider (ISP) Work 0:38 - Why using ISP's normally may be a concern 1:08 - How using VPN servers work 1:35 - How a VPN hides your IP address activity and identity 2:17 - How data is sent through a network by default 2:45 - How data is sent and protected through a VPN connection 3:27 - Geographical Content Blocks by IP address 3:46 - How a VPN can bypass Geographical content blocking 4:26 - How businesses can use VPN's for remote employee access 5:26 - Who needs a VPN? 6:17 - Free VS Paid VPN Service Biggest issues I don't see being talked about here are how VPN's are not actually one shoe fits all service... There are many more issues not covered in this video about how still even while using a VPN you are not actually 100% safe and secure but the fundamental layout of this video is pretty accurate for the most part and is exactly how I would explain it to a kid or elderly person. There is still some major technical flaws in VPN's like: 1.) ISP's still know you are using a VPN, as they are able to see your connection to the VPN servers. (Unless masked which some provide) 2.) Shared IP's on these servers are almost always flagged for fraud or spam, causing more issues like Captchas and not being able to use them for purchases. (Annoying for daily use) 3.) VPN's are not magic, it just adds an extra hop in your routing which, usually cause more latency. ("Gaming VPN's" are a gimmick) 4.) Your data is almost always end-to-end encrypted WITHOUT a VPN by HTTPS & SSL already so you get red flags if you connect to an unsecure site. (End-to-End Encrypted VPN is pointless) 5.) Who is providing your DNS? If its your ISP's DNS then your VPN is worthless because they know what domains you are resolving anyways. Without going on and on though.. its so hard to find honest reviews and information online about VPN's anymore. Most of these people running these channels don't care what company actually has more credibility or security or who is actually offering a higher quality service. All they know is the sponsors is willing to pay them and the referral link will make them some passive income when people use it.

[@Casanova_999]

*Disclaimer:* My original comment, is my personal experience & understanding, I am not an expert. Have any questions, comments, concerns, arguments, disputes, or any other passions? Comment below I’m always willing to learn, research or help where I can. *TL;DR:* I won’t belittle anyone or get offended I’m learning everyday, just like you.

[@TacoTaco69]

@@Casanova_999 Good comment! Although the comment with "[...] the sponsors is willing to pay them" is only true in the context of the referral link. As is stated in the description of the video: "This video was NOT sponsored. I was NOT paid to make this video by anyone.". Many channels definetly are just sellouts, but i do believe that PowerCert is not only doing it "just for the money".

[@videogames8261]

@@Casanova_999 what

[@Casanova_999]

@@CoolIcingcake3467 Whats crazy is I thought this was a personal response but realized its AI generated very quickly 🤣 Either way good reply

[@Casanova_999]

@@CoolIcingcake3467 Sadly I just use AI daily Lmao so I am used to the wording it uses curious was it GPT3 and did you just copy paste or actually prompt it? Because I tried with GPT4 and it gave me a bit more in depth info

[@jozsefjuhasz6154]

These videos are gold ! Keep going and thank you so much for making them!

[@omarlittle7686]

Thank God i found this channel! Thank you so much PCAV! You explain things so well and the animations help the information stick to my brain. I've learned so much from your videos with your "explain it like im 5" animations more than other sources! You should sign up as a Udemy teacher! I'd definitely pay top price for your class!!

[@ranjanadissanayaka5390]

hey, thanks for making this video...I've been following your videos for sometime. I'm now watching them as you post them.😀

[@dimitrijedukovski963]

I really like this channel because it has the ability to explain sometimes difficult concepts in easy and fast way. However sometimes faster isn't always better and it does leave a lot of room for deception and dishonesty about product that people don't actually need (like in this case) ...

[@Ruffian_Xion]

Care to back up that claim of dishonesty & deception with some examples?

[@Soundwave142]

Man! Your learning videos are interesting enough! Adding funny stuff in them, (like the flaming coffee pot!) is the whipped cream and cherry on top!

[@abhimudaliar1064]

Explanation with animation is brilliant!

[@keniawoniyi8486]

Thank you for your thorough explanation. I'm Nigerian, and from mid 2021 to early 2022, our government banned Twitter (because we were insulting them on it), so a lot of us downloaded VPNs to access Twitter. I've always wanted to how that worked. Great video!

[@intaratsiriwong3105]

Once again the best instructor in the galaxy

[@maniagonewild120]

Love your Channel! Thank you for creating helpful and straight forward videos.

[@SyedMuzammilMahasanShahi]

Beautiful work as always. Thank you so much.

[@walterbyrd8380]

Great video, as always. I think you could have mentioned some downsides of VPNs. For example: VPNs can slow your internet speed. Some sites might not accept VPN connections. Some VPNs will disconnect, and reconnect; even if this is done momentarily, it can be long enough to gather data about you.

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Good point!

[@impalassz57]

It depends what servers you choose that will slow down your speed.

[@newthings3110]

Clearly explained!Well done bro 👍

[@augustemaillot102]

Even though the connection is secure between you and a specific server with a VPN, if you connect to a bad server (such as fake websites, scam downloads and so on), it no longer protects you. A VPN secures the connection, but it doesn't protect you from the server your are connecting with.

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

True. I just protects the data as it travels to the destination.

[@RoyOlsen]

A VPN only protects communication between the end-points of the VPN connection, it does not protect the data to the destination.

[@GersonHM4]

But it still useful cuz it mask your IP address right?

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

yes

[@davegreenlaw5654]

@@PowerCertAnimatedVideos I was going to ask this anyways, but what about a VPN offered by your protection software? I noticed that Norton has a VPN, would that be safer, as they'd also be protecting against hackers and malware. And two other questions: 1) If your IP address is changed, won't that cause a problem with previously saved/bookmarked websites? Wouldn't you have to reconnect/re-subscribe to each of them? 2) I can see it being useful on your laptop or cell phone, but would it be absolutely necessary on your desktop?

[@markomus1]

A note about traffic logging: as of this writing, to the best of my knowledge, VPN providers aren't required, in some areas, to log traffic data. With NordVPN in particular, they will comply with law enforcement requests after putting law enforcement through the ringer, but the only records they would have would be payment data and email addresses. Still, that's something. Obviously, a discussion on completely anonymizing and privatizing one's Internet activities falls outside the scope of this video (encrypted DNS, Tor, and how those might even have their vulnerabilities), but kudos on yet again another simple, straight forward explanation on what a thing is, how it works, what it does, etc.

[@ianl1052]

5 eyes, 7 eyes, 14 eyes. VPNs must comply with a legally acquired court order. Of course, some VPNs use RAM storage (not Nord). Switch off the server and the data is lost forever. The danger with TOR is you never know who is in control of the exit node, hackers, law enforcement... Safest but slowest is TOR over VPN.

[@markomus1]

@@ianl1052 "VPNs must comply..." I didn't state otherwise. "Some VPNs use RAM storage...." Interesting! "The danger with TOR...." Yep! As stated, "and how those might even have their vulnerabilities." "Safest but slowest...." Yep. And don't forget your encrypted DNS. That's not to say it's all impregnable, but those are good steps to have in place... ...as of this writing. :-)

[@ianl1052]

@@markomus1 Agreed. If in doubt, we should all remember the golden rule. "The Internet never forgets."

[@markomus1]

@@ianl1052 Aye. Witness the Utah Data Center.

[@mden2490]

@@ianl1052I believe Nord is now using all RAM storage.

[@jmedz893]

Great video yet again !

[@b0xxkn1gh79]

You have done it again sir, straight to the point and very concise. Your content is awesome. Thank you! One question though, let's say you pay for a VPN here in America right and let's say you visit a country overseas would you be able to connect to the same VPN server in America or it has to be something closer to where you are located?

[@b0xxkn1gh79]

@Murray Wight Thanks!

[@davidh1958]

Very straightforward and helpful! Thanks!!

[@prowler1567]

Thanks for the quick tutorial on VPNs.👍

[@maxeylifetv2676]

You can set up your own VPN on your broadband router for remote access to your office server.

[@gambigaming6721]

best channel for me in the world. i have binhed watched all videos and continue to do so.

[@EasternBoss]

Your explanation is very awesome .

[@hardtosee8145]

My school use your video like documentary and teach student like us. Thank you for your hard work ! Because OMG !!! my teacher explain things so bad to the point where I have to watch your video to understand what he say xD

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Thanks :)

[@stewartl5109]

Yes but remember to get the whole story and not just snippets of a explanation video!

[@brandonfarfan1978]

Thanks for another great lesson.👍 2:49 Original Xbox logo appears.😲 Those hacker jokes at the end, and dude, that coffee pot is on fire. Lol!

[@TrueInvisible]

very beautiful animation! thanks for the lesson!

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Glad you liked it!

[@katlynw314]

Do you do videos on cyber security? Love your vids!

[@blockblockgoose]

Explained it really well for me thanks!

[@egokiller5195]

Excellent content. amazing teacher

[@huunghianguyen2027]

I like your explanation, but i would like more if you could list some trade off like disadvantages or limitation of vpn as well.

[@tavor29]

I get so excited for each new video. As usual, great video

[@1995texasaggie]

Yeah, me too.............these videos are pure gold.

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Glad to hear it!

[@sagar.gahlawat]

Explanation is great .

[@farzadmehrava43]

I love your explanations...very clear !!! would you please make a video for difference between DNS and cdn ? and what is a cdn ?♥

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Noted

[@radhikarao5106]

Wonderful explanation 👏 can you please make a video on what an endpoint is and how is it accessed using API s?

[@user-oc1fe4dv3n]

Thank you so much💗 ur explanation is the best

[@rs-tarxvfz]

This is so helpful even I use these videos while learning Azure Cloud.

[@amoh96]

Best Channel So far :D 💥

[@sagarsonkar3475]

Good one... Simple to understand...❤

[@senditall152]

Thank you for another great video.

[@thanasis.zantrimas]

The mug of coffee was really cool.

[@bobtheelectrician6692]

Some online sites (streaming, banking, etc) have blacklisted known VPN server addresses so your connection may bug out. Always best to give a VPN service a good work out during the trial period. All you have done is swapped out your current ISP tracking for a VPN further down the road.

[@felixesakiel6734]

Its amazing, well explained in 7 minutes

[@WhiteHairMan]

I have a subscription with STC for internet service, but my home does not have an landline extension, so STC has partnered with Mobily to provide the connection. As such, I was provided two devices: one from Mobily (that is connected to a fiber optic cable) and a router from STC. Is there any way that I can activate the Mobily device and do away with requiring the second STC router ?

[@MikyWolfHopper]

Loves these videos!

[@SupraManG]

A well explained video on what VPN's are. I especially liked the Hacker in the coffee shop. Nice touch, PowerCert

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Thanks! 😃

[@ArunKumar-sh4zu]

Even the VPN providers can have our original IP and can share with government or companies right?

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Yes...if they chose to. But they are not supposed to if it's in their terms of service.

[@ArunKumar-sh4zu]

@@PowerCertAnimatedVideos so it's like trying to be secured in an unsecured environment 😂

[@yashsakhare5399]

This is how data is shared and miss used

[@tichaclin]

​@@yashsakhare5399😅😅😅

[@ChitChat]

No matter what it's about a chain of trust. So you have to ask yourself who do you trust more. Your ISP or VPN provider. No way around it.....except Tor, but that's a whole different thing.

[@gabrielpritchett1938]

Could you go over the OSI model layers and their functions?

[@renos_]

Freaking love you PowerCert

[@josephfredbill]

Great videos. Could you do one on ssh tunelling (and how come ssh can avoid “the network stack” to change port numbers) please ?

[@GururajBN]

Thank youuuuu! For imparting education to lay persons like me! Most browsers allow browsing incognito. Does that add an extra layer of safety?

[@getalife6654]

Just a note. Even if you pay for a vpn, they still may sell your data and i doubt that nordvpn don't log your activity.

[@petebest22]

Very true! , gain your trust then do as the free vpns do, sell your data 😚

[@surenderchib3000]

You are a gem, awesome.

[@balajimurugesan3021]

Hi sir, i am from India..Your videos are Excellent. your way of teaching is awesome easily understandable.But one thing i request u to Please make Video about OSI and TCP/IPmodel..

[@jonsnow1762]

Please make a video on Circuit switching vs Packet Switching. Thanks.

[@RoyOlsen]

Isn’t circuit switching mostly archaic at this point?

[@tatotia1267]

Thank for your explanation. I have a question,Do the packets go directly to the VPN server or they go first to the ISP server and then routed to the VPN server?

[@JJFlores197]

They have to go through your ISP first. There's no other way since the ISP is the company that provides you with internet access. Your ISP will then forward the packets to the VPN provider which in turn will forward the packets to their intended destination.

[@WijthaGayan]

great explain thank you

[@user-pr1dq2hk7k]

Hello. Great video. (Are you the LearnLinuxTV guy?). How can a VPN bypass the ISP, if it is using the ISP's router in the home?

[@azerbaycan6303]

Thank you, teacher, really you explain very very well, and thanks very much for turkhis subtitles

[@BarD_o4k]

Thank you very much!

[@suryateja4987]

Thank you sir 🙏

[@13Celeron]

Could you do a video on Active Directory, Azure and LDAP?

[@NotBen101]

If the site has SSL enabled, you should be safe using public Wifi (unless it is a compromised connection). You only need a VPN to hide from your ISP.

[@andrejpovala]

Not certainly. Though with SSL/TLS certificates your data are encrypted before leaving your device (mobile or phone), with a hacker being able to capture these data, he can perform rather bruteforce attack to crack these data. Obviously, most valuable part is the password. But, to be honest, I am not really sure, if the encrypted data are one continuous pile or it can be distinguished.

[@roshanantony7467]

@@andrejpovala bruteforce is practically impossible and takes years for a string of 8 charectors

[@MarcosDemian]

I'm glad to find your comment. After doing some research here and there (a lot of googling) I came to the same conclusion as you. That means, if you are at home with your own private network (wireless or not) and you are visiting HTTPS sites, your traffic is already encripted. So if you only care about security (when doing online banking) and not about hiding your identity nor location, then a VPN is not necessary.

[@markh2715]

finally a good explanation of vpn

[@ProExamsIT]

Great videos, may I know what software do you use to create those amazing animated videos. Thanks

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Thanks. Powerpoint

[@Arcturus-0.05]

I would like to see a more indepth videos from you. If you use a VPN you still need to go through your ISP, you are not avoiding them. Only thing is your connection is encrypted and even that, which parts are encrypted. I suppose destination of the packet must not be encrypted. Also are packets encrypted only between you and a VPN server but I guess it is not encrypted between VPN and whichever site you are trying to access?

[@NoEgg4u]

@1:09 "By using a VPN, your on-line activity will bypass your ISP's server, and will be redirected to another server, which is a VPN server.". Well, sort of, but... You are not bypassing your ISP's server. 100% of your internet activity is still going through your ISP's server. The difference is that your ISP's server can no longer see what you are doing, even though 100% of your data is passing through their server. This is because your data is being encrypted on your local computer, and gets decrypted by your VPN's server. Any and all computers between you and your VPN service will only pass along the encrypted data, and will not be able to see anything other than scrambled data. @3:07 "So any activity that you do on the internet, such as visiting web pages, or transferring files -- the data is encrypted, and kept private, when using a VPN". Your data is encrypted, only between you and the VPN's server. Once you data reaches your VPN's server, 100% of your data is decrypted by your VPN service. The VPN service can see 100% of your activity, in the clear. So your data is not kept private, when using a VPN service. You are trusting your VPN service to do the same thing as what your ISP does. By using a VPN service... all of your internet activity will stop being visible by your ISP, and will now be visible by your VPN. You have simply handed your trust to a different company -- a different group of complete strangers. @5:34 "It reassures that you are surfing the internet safely, securely, and anonymously". If you visit sketchy sites, a VPN service will do zero to protect you. You will encounter malware, viruses, etc, the same as if you were not using a VPN service. The VPN service is simply acting as a middle-man. The VPN service does not interfere with what you are doing. The VPN service will pass along anything and everything, including malicious data. As to "anonymously", that is true, only if your VPN service is telling the truth. Lots of VPN services claim a "No logs" policy. They can claim anything that they want, because you have zero ways to verify their claims. They could be logging everything that you do, and you will not know, and you can not know. And even if a VPN service really abides by their claim to keep no logs... If they are handed a court order to keep logs, then they are going to keep logs. And if they are also handed a gag order, then they will not be allowed to reveal that they are keeping logs. What better place for governments to spy on people, than via VPN services? Using a VPN service is announcing that you really, really, really, want to keep your on-line activity private. That is where governments really, really, really, want to see what you are trying to keep private. If you think that your VPN service is really keeping your on-line activity private, you will have a rude awakening if you use a VPN service and engage in illegal porn distribution, or if you post that you are going to commit violent crimes (the type that puts you behind bars for life), etc. Watch how quickly you will get a visit from a government agency. @6:33 "But paid VPNs are more secure. These, generally ,will not log your internet activity, and they will keep it private". @6:49 "...and they have a strict, 'No logging' policy". As I wrote about above... you have zero ways to verify any VPN's claims. Also note that many countries have reciprocal law enforcement agreements. So if country "A" asks country "B" to keep logs, then they will comply. That goes for court orders. Look up "five eyes" and "fourteen eyes". Each set of eyes refers to countries that cooperate with one-another. Use a VPN service for accessing services that your county does not permit, or in a coffee shop on public WiFi, or to connect to your office. For all of those uses, a VPN should be safe and secure. But for general internet activity, using a VPN service is putting all of your eggs in the VPN's basket, instead of your ISP's basket. I am dismayed that our host made VPNs sound like the holy grail of security and privacy. They are not, and he knows it. If you want that level of privacy and security, then use TOR browser via the TAILS operating system, or via ParrotOS and its Anon Surf feature, or via Qubes OS, and one of its TOR related virtual machines.

[@binarybox.binarybox]

Agreed. The diagram makes viewers think that they are going direct to a vpn when they are still routing through their ISP.

[@MrZManny17]

Seems like you know what you are talking about. I have a question I would like to see if you can help me with. What is the best way to mask my location, put is as it am working from the US. Is it using a vpn? And using their server or perhaps doing that and then adding the static ip address that NordVPN offers? Or is it by setting up my own vpn server in a location where I want my ip address to be giving that location from and connecting to that? Can you give me a clue. It would be for work, and know the laws and I know I should let my employer know. I know the ethics of it in other words. But can you help me on it, some serves will block access if they detected a common sever right? Can a vpn use to access an employer vpn? Its is all in the router? Asus rog ax5400 to? Or ExpressVPn aircove?

[@NerdyMoises]

Watched 2/14/2023; Thank you so much for explaining VPN

[@ranjithrsr3859]

big fan !!

[@qusayalghazali3151]

Which app do you use to create such slides? its so nice

[@Jekalmat]

The coffee maker started burning at the end of the video 😁

[@gradyrm237]

What guarantee is there that the ISP hasn't set up their own VPN? Or that the VPN you've chosen hasn't made deals to sell your IP?

[@dankelley9361]

Nice explanation. Often a VPN will really slow down your thruput. Often a trade off between safety & speed.

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

Yes, true

[@johnhupperts]

this one could use a follow up with more detail around how the encryption/tunneling works, at least practically

[@Kirill_Eremin]

Thanks!

[@Waleedmilek]

Great illustrated We need to know how to establish VPN connection for Free!

[@2pc2297]

Is the burning coffee pot a result of the HTCPCP(Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol) implementation?

[@PowerCertAnimatedVideos]

good one :)

[@deepakjain2568]

Good knowledge with great explanation make a day🙃🙃

[@MikeMenegus]

I connect to another mac - would we both need to have VPN access?

[@rubaiat077]

Hello Sir, Which software is commonly used for animation?? Please named it.

[@simon54]

does this mean I can only use this VPN on a laptop? It would be more useful on my tablet so I can stream it to my smart tv

[@michalson111]

Virtual private network serves as a way to encrypt the data beteen peers, what you explained is a commercial software

[@valburghamilton9849]

Thanks for the Teaching on VPN, it's the best, very clear.... I don't have any credit card but am very much interested, because you made it very simple and clear. Thanks

[@richmondtsindi7447]

😮 well explained

[@zaharaddeenmuhammad4395]

Thank you.

[@mohammedmahayni6088]

Amazing!

[@ahmad-murery]

Well, I thought VPN stands for Vice President for Negotiation 😁(kidding) Nice video as always. Thanks

[@UnderdogThe1]

Please make a video about CORS and same-origin policy!

[@rojoroj9777]

Either paid or free vpn . Vpn provider always have user's data and sell them frequently to advertisers or 3rd party . So, don't be fooled that you are absolute protected using vpn . Na , not at all. Actually avoid using internet to protect ur privacy - this is the ultimate tool to stay protected

[@chaosmassive8627]

you missed out part where you can create a vpn server by yourself with openvpn in cloud/home server.