How does a virtual private network work (basics)

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tomisatschool
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is there anyway someone could explain basically how a vpn works (specifically "HotSpot Shield)? I am asking because i can't figured out if I am getting hacked or if the network is supposed to do this?

Whenever I connect to a wireless network, hotspot shield secures the connection and then i see another "unknown network" connection in my taskbar (windows 7) next to my regular connection. Is it supposed to do that??

At first I thought I was getting hacked (am i?) but then i noticed that this unknown network appears right after hotspotshield secures my wireless connection. Is this working correctly or is something suspicious going on??

Please explain in simple simple terms because I am not an advanced IT guy... I downloaded this hotspot shield because i was told i should always use a vpn when connecting to hotspots (which i use a lot)

thanks!
 
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yeah exactly, like a starbucks or whatever
 


This video is what introduced me to Hotspot Shield, it may explain a few things for you.

:-)
 
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There is also a browser called TOR that may also come in use if your afraid of others viewing your internet traffic or "hacking"