Proton VPN is known for its strong commitment to privacy, and one of its most unique features is Secure Core. If you’re new to VPNs, the name might sound a bit mysterious — but the idea is straightforward: it’s an extra security layer designed to protect you from advanced tracking and surveillance.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain exactly what Secure Core is, how it works, when you should use it, and what trade-offs to expect.

What Is Secre Core?

Secure Core is a multi-hop VPN architecture built into Proton VPN. Instead of connecting you directly from your device to a VPN server in your target country, Secure Core first routes your traffic through special hardened servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions such as Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden.

Only after passing through one of these Secure Core servers does your traffic exit through a regular VPN server in your chosen location (for example, the US, UK, or Japan).

This two-step routing process makes it significantly harder for anyone — including hackers, ISPs, or government agencies — to trace your activity back to your real IP address.

Why Proton VPN Created Secure Core

Proton VPN is operated by Proton AG, the same company behind Proton Mail, and is based in Switzerland. They built Secure Core with one goal: resist even the most advanced network-based attacks.

Many VPN servers are located in countries with strong surveillance capabilities. In rare cases, a VPN server could be monitored or compromised. With Secure Core, even if the exit server is monitored, the attacker would only see the connection coming from the Secure Core location, not from your real IP.

How Secure Core Works

Think of Secure Core like having a privacy buffer zone:

1. Your Device → Secure Core Server

   • The first hop is to one of Proton VPN’s own physically secure servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden. These locations were chosen for their strict privacy laws and independent judicial systems.
     
     

2. Secure Core Server → Exit Server

   • After encryption is applied, your data is sent to an exit server in your chosen country.
     
     

3. Exit Server → Internet

   • Websites, apps, and services see only the IP address of the exit server, with no traceable path back to you.

When to Use Secure Core

Secure Core isn’t something you’ll need for every task — it’s designed for situations where maximum privacy is critical. Here are some examples:

• Bypassing government censorship in high-surveillance regions

• Protecting sensitive research or journalism work

• Using public Wi-Fi in countries with invasive monitoring laws

• Avoiding correlation attacks by state-level adversaries
  
  

If you’re simply streaming Netflix or doing routine browsing, Secure Core may be unnecessary — and in those cases, using a standard VPN connection will be faster.

Pros of Secure Core

• Extra protection against server compromise

• Jurisdictional privacy advantage from Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden

• Multi-hop routing without needing manual configuration

• Ideal for high-risk users such as journalists or activists
  
  

Cons of Secure Core

• Reduced speed due to the extra hop

• Limited starting locations (only 3 countries for the first hop)

• Not necessary for everyday streaming or gaming
  
  

How to Enable Secure Core in Proton VPN

Turning on Secure Core is simple:

1. Open Proton VPN on your device.

2. In the main interface, toggle the Secure Core switch (usually in the top-left corner).

3. Choose your desired exit country from the server list.

4. Connect — your traffic will now route through Secure Core.
   
   

You can also enable Secure Core in Profiles, allowing you to create a dedicated high-security connection that you can activate instantly.

Final Thoughts

Proton VPN’s Secure Core is one of the clearest examples of a VPN provider going beyond the basics. While most VPNs focus on encryption and IP masking, Secure Core adds another defensive layer, making it significantly harder for even advanced attackers to identify your real location.

For everyday users, Secure Core might be overkill — but for anyone facing targeted surveillance, living in restrictive regions, or simply valuing maximum anonymity, it’s a feature worth using.

If you’re choosing a VPN for privacy above all else, Proton VPN’s Secure Core stands out as a reason to put it at the top of your list.