What is a VPN and why do we need it? A VPN (virtual private network) is a persistent secure/encrypted connection over an unsecured network. Lets say that you send letters via 'snail mail' to you friend, and you're worried about it getting intercepted and read. However, you combat this vulnerability of the unsecured mail network by scrambling your messages in a way that only you and your friend can know how to unscramble. This is equivalent to a VPN. Someone in between you and the other end can intercept your messages, see where it came from and where it's going, but wouldn't be able to unscramble your messages (assuming you use a good method of scrambling/unscrambling them). Usually, when people talk about a VPN, they're talking about a VPN that's also a proxy server. A proxy is where you send your traffic through a 3rd party instead of being sent directly. Lets say that you want to get a package sent to your house, but you don't want the send...