A VPN is used to create a secure, encrypted tunnel between two points over a public network (between your device and a VPN server).
It is a full-duplex encrypted tunnel. If your data weren't encrypted, hackers or your ISP could still see your private information the moment it leaves your device and responses left the VPN server to your device.
The Actual Process
Outgoing
Device → Internet: Your VPN software encrypts your request (e.g., "Show me my bank balance"). It travels through your ISP as unreadable code.
Inbound
Internet → Device: The VPN server encrypts the response (e.g., your actual balance details) before sending it back across the internet to you.
Why this matters: Without inbound encryption, a hacker on a Public Wi-Fi could perform "side-jacking." They might not see what you asked for, but they would see exactly what the website sent back to you (like your private messages or account data).
What about HTTPS? Does it contribute to encryption too?
Most modern websites use HTTPS (the padlock icon). When you use a VPN and visit an HTTPS site, your data is protected by two layers of encryption:
- Layer 1 (HTTPS): Encrypts data between your Browser and the Website.
- Layer 2 (VPN): Encrypts that already-encrypted data between your Device and the VPN Server.
Even if the VPN provider were compromised, they would still only see the HTTPS-encrypted "outer shell" of your data.
Summary: Every single packet entering or leaving your device via a VPN is encrypted. No exceptions.