[Skip to content](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/security-and-wifi-how-does-a-vpn-work#maincontent) [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [Dialed In](https://www.t-mobile.com/dialed-in/) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [Dialed In](https://www.t-mobile.com/dialed-in/) 1. [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) 2. Category:[Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) [Internet HelpCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) # Security And Wi-Fi: How Does A VPN Work? Published: April 1, 2024 |3 min read By now, you probably know the benefits and perhaps even the perils of using public Wi-Fi. Sure, it's convenient, free, and sometimes it's even faster than some home Wi-Fi networks. So, it makes sense that most people say they access public Wi-Fi three to four times a month, with the most common places being grocery stores, hotels, airports and restaurants1. But did you know these are also prime places to have information compromised while using public Wi-Fi?  #### Jump to a Section^ 1. [What is a VPN and how can one help?](https://www.t-mobile.com#1) 2. [How does a VPN protect you on public Wi-Fi?](https://www.t-mobile.com#2) 3. [How do I get a VPN?](https://www.t-mobile.com#3) - Share "Security And Wi-Fi: How Does A VPN Work?" on X - Share "Security And Wi-Fi: How Does A VPN Work?" on Facebook - Share "Security And Wi-Fi: How Does A VPN Work?" on LinkedIn So, what about home Wi-Fi? Isn't that safer? Es segura siempre que las contraseñas sean sólidas. Y no son sólidas. In fact, weak credentials were the cause of nearly 70 percent of [Wi-Fi security](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/wi-fi-security-essential-protections) issues, with the rest being caused by vulnerable, unpatched devices with firmware that hasn't been updated2. This is where VPNs come in handy. ## __What is a VPN and how can one help?__ A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a good solution for those who value not only security, but privacy and convenience, too. VPNs work by routing traffic to a server operated by your VPN service of choice and hiding your [IP address](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-my-ip-address-and-how-do-i-change-it), which is like a digital version of your return address. Sin ella, cualquiera que conozca tu dirección IP puede acceder a qué, cuándo y dónde has buscado en Internet. In fact, your entire search history is exposed as soon as you connect to a browser over an unprotected connection, making it a virtual playground for hackers and other bad actors. ### __How does a VPN protect you on public Wi-Fi?__ With a VPN, because your web traffic comes from the VPN's server, your IP address is hidden, making it more difficult to track what you're doing on both public and home Wi-Fi connections. This can help protect you in several ways: - Your browsing history stays private. - Your personal information remains secure. - Your devices are better protected. ### __How do I get a VPN?__ There are several good VPN services out there, but you will have to pay a fee. Sin embargo, para obtener una mayor seguridad, merece la pena. The best VPNs will offer you advanced privacy protection without compromising on [performance](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed). Por tanto, asegúrate de investigar un poco en Internet para encontrar la más adecuada para ti. T-Mobile is America's fastest growing [Home Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet) provider. [Find out if it's available](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) in your area and then [try it out for 15 days](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/15-day-test-drive) to see if it works for you. ##### Learn more about internet security - [Wi-Fi Security: Essential Protections](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/wi-fi-security-essential-protections) - [Security And Wi-Fi: How Does a VPN Work?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/security-and-wifi-how-does-a-vpn-work) - [101 Guide to Wi-Fi Subnet Masking Networks](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/guide-to-wifi-subnet-masking-networks) Sources: 1. [https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/public-wifi-risks/](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/public-wifi-risks/) 2. [https://blog.avast.com/how-secure-is-your-wi-fi-netwo](https://blog.avast.com/how-secure-is-your-wi-fi-network)[rk](https://blog.avast.com/how-secure-is-your-wi-fi-network) Additional Sources: - [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address) - [https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/proxy-vs-vpn](https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/proxy-vs-vpn) - [https://surfshark.com/blog/are-vpns-legal](https://surfshark.com/blog/are-vpns-legal) - [https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/how-does-vpn-work](https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/how-does-vpn-work) - [https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/proxy-vs-vpn](https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/proxy-vs-vpn) - [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/vpn-virtual-private-network](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/vpn-virtual-private-network) Tags - [Security](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/security) - [VPN](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/vpn) - [Wi-Fi](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/wi-fi) ## Related Articles NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [Internet Connection](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-connection) ## [Self-Install Internet: What It Is, How It Works, and Key Benefits](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) June 16, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [What is Antivirus? A Simple Guide to Antivirus Software](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) June 23, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [New Internet or Internet Transfer When Moving: What's Best?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) April 22, 2026 ### Find out if your home address is eligible for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. [Check availability](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) Top