[b]"Can someone explain the difference between proxy and VPN in simple terms?"[/b] or [b]"What's the actual differ

Here’s a natural, forum-style post for you:

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Hey everyone,

I keep hearing about proxies and VPNs, but I’m kinda confused about the *actual* difference between proxy and VPN. Like, don’t they both hide your IP?

From what I gather:
- A proxy just reroutes your traffic through another server, but it’s usually just for one app (like your browser).
- A VPN encrypts *all* your traffic and covers your whole device.

So, the main difference between proxy and vpn seems to be encryption and coverage?

But which one’s better for privacy? I’ve heard VPNs are more secure, but proxies are faster for stuff like streaming.

Anybody got a simple breakdown? Maybe some real-world examples?

Thanks!

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Let me know if you'd tweak anything! Kept it casual but clear, with minor typos and natural flow.