A VPN is a service that routes every network request from your device through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server.
Explanation
Where a web proxy routes one browser tab, a VPN routes every application on your device — browser, mobile app, messaging client, background sync. It runs as installed software (a VPN app) or as a system-level configuration profile. All outbound traffic goes into an encrypted tunnel to the VPN provider's server, which then forwards it to the destination. The destination sees the VPN server's IP, not yours. Your local network sees only the encrypted tunnel, not what is inside it. VPNs are heavier than web proxies — install permission required, always-on tunnel, higher latency baseline — but broader in scope. For managed Chromebooks and locked-down work laptops where installs are blocked, a web proxy is the only option; for whole-device coverage, VPN is required.
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