What is a public IP address?
A public IP address is used on the internet-facing path of a connection.
VPN and internet glossary
Understand network terminology with plain definitions, practical examples and checks you can use.
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IP addresses
What is IPv4?
IPv4 is an Internet Protocol version that uses 32-bit addresses, commonly displayed as four numbers separated by dots.
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is an Internet Protocol version with a much larger address space than IPv4.
Static vs dynamic IP addresses
Distinguish a stable address from an automatically assigned one, and separate public, local, shared and dedicated addresses.
What is NAT?
Network address translation changes address information as traffic passes between networks.
What is carrier-grade NAT?
Carrier-grade NAT places address translation inside an internet provider’s network.
Networks & performance
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth describes a connection’s capacity to transfer data over time.
What is a data allowance?
A data allowance is an amount of transferred data included under a plan’s rules for a stated period.
What is latency?
Latency is the delay experienced along a network path.
What is jitter?
Jitter is variation in packet timing or delay.
What is packet loss?
Packet loss means traffic sent along a path does not arrive as expected.
What is TCP?
TCP is a transport protocol that provides an ordered, reliable byte stream between applications.
What is UDP?
UDP sends datagrams without providing TCP’s built-in ordered stream and delivery guarantees.
What is DNS?
DNS connects domain names with records such as the IP addresses used to reach a service.
What is a DNS cache?
Understand stored DNS answers, TTLs and why a changed domain record may not appear immediately in every browser or network.
What is DNS over HTTPS?
See what encrypted DNS protects, where browser DNS settings fit, and why DoH does not replace a VPN.
What is WebRTC?
Understand browser calls, connection candidates and why a WebRTC address check differs from a public IP lookup or DNS test.
Privacy & security
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS carries HTTP over a connection protected by TLS.
What is TLS?
Transport Layer Security is a protocol used to protect communications between endpoints.
What is IPsec VPN?
Understand IPsec’s role in protecting IP traffic, how IKEv2 fits, and what to check before using an IPsec configuration.
What is a proxy?
A proxy receives and forwards requests on behalf of a client.
What is browser fingerprinting?
Learn how browser characteristics can be combined, why changing your IP is not enough, and what a browser-information check can tell you.
What is a VPN kill switch?
Learn what a kill switch blocks, how its scope can differ, and what to check before relying on it during a lost VPN connection.
What is VPN split tunneling?
Understand included and excluded app traffic, why a browser test can differ from another app, and how to check a split-tunnel rule.
