A traffic tunnel is the protected path that carries internet traffic between a device and a VPN server. The tunnel encapsulates packets and encrypts them so local networks, internet service providers, and nearby attackers cannot easily read or modify the data in transit.
This matters because many attacks target traffic before it reaches its destination, especially on public Wi-Fi or other untrusted networks. A tunnel can reduce exposure to packet sniffing, session hijacking, and basic traffic tampering. In defense, it helps protect logins, web sessions, and other sensitive communication while shifting trust to the VPN provider’s infrastructure. However, it does not fix compromised endpoints, phishing, or weak account security, and the provider’s policies and software still need to be trusted and maintained.