Networking Basics Articles - LibreGuard Blog

A laptop connects through an encrypted VPN tunnel to a server before reaching websites on the internet

Networking Basics

What Is a VPN and How Does It Actually Work?

A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and a VPN server. Learn how the tunnel works, what it protects, and where its privacy limits begin online.

By LibreGuard Team July 10, 2026 7 min read

TCP packets follow an ordered acknowledged path while UDP datagrams take a lightweight direct path

Networking Basics

TCP vs UDP Explained Simply

TCP and UDP move data in different ways. Learn when reliable ordered delivery matters, why UDP is useful, and how modern protocols such as QUIC fit in.

By LibreGuard Team July 03, 2026 4 min read

IPv4 and IPv6 address formats travel through the same network toward connected devices

Networking Basics

IPv4 vs IPv6: What Is the Difference?

IPv4 and IPv6 use different address sizes and formats. Learn why both exist, how dual stack works, and what the change means for everyday internet use.

By LibreGuard Team June 26, 2026 5 min read

A router translates several private device connections into one public internet connection

Networking Basics

What Is NAT? Network Address Translation Explained

Learn what network address translation (NAT) does, why home routers use it, how ports fit in, and why NAT is not the same thing as a firewall.

By LibreGuard Team June 19, 2026 5 min read

Home devices use private addresses through a router before connecting to the public internet

Networking Basics

Public IP vs Private IP: What Is the Difference?

Learn the difference between public and private IP addresses, which IPv4 ranges are private, why routers use NAT, and how your devices reach the internet.

By LibreGuard Team June 12, 2026 5 min read