Connection path
What changes when you connect to a VPN?
Without a VPN, traffic normally travels from your device through the local network and ISP to the website. With a VPN, traffic first travels through an encrypted connection to the VPN server, then continues to the destination.
The website usually sees the VPN server IP rather than your normal public IP. The local network sees VPN traffic rather than the normal destination traffic where applicable.
A VPN does not erase accounts, cookies or device identity. Websites may also block known VPN IP addresses.