What does a VPN actually hide?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) replaces your real IP address with one from its own server - usually in a different city or country.
To websites and apps, it looks like you’re connecting from somewhere else.
So yes, a VPN does hide your IP address - that’s its main job.
But that’s not the whole story.
Can websites tell I’m using a VPN?
Often, yes.
Even if they don’t know who you are, many websites can detect that your traffic is coming from a VPN server.
That’s because:
- VPN servers often share IPs between many users
- The IPs belong to known VPN providers
- Some services check for patterns (like lots of traffic from one location)
So while your real IP stays hidden, the site might still say:
“Hmm, this looks like VPN traffic.”
Can websites still recognize me?
Yes - sometimes.
Even with your IP hidden, websites might still recognize you if:
- You’re logged into an account (like Google, Facebook, etc.)
- You’ve accepted tracking cookies
- You’re using the same browser or device without privacy features
So while your location may be hidden, your identity might still be visible through other clues.
Does that mean VPNs are useless?
Not at all.
A good VPN still protects you from:
- Sites tracking your real location
- Public Wi-Fi snooping
- ISP-level surveillance
- Country-based restrictions (like blocked apps or websites)
But it’s not a magic cloak - it’s one layer of privacy, not the whole outfit.
We’ll cover more ways to strengthen your privacy (like blocking fingerprinting or DNS leaks) in upcoming posts - so stay tuned if you want to go further.
Want to see what your IP says right now?
Head to the home page - it shows:
- Your IP address
- Your country
- Whether your browser is leaking IP via WebRTC
It’s fast, private, and doesn’t store anything.
Related:
What Is My IP Address – And Why Should I Care?
Photo by Mikhail Vasilyev on Unsplash