A VPN masks your actual IP address and virtually places you in a different country. For instance, a service like 9Now serves content based on your IP address. If you try to access it from outside Australia, the content is typically blocked. However, with a VPN connected to an Australian server, you appear to be browsing from within Australia, thereby gaining access to the content intended for Australian viewers. Your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from Australia, regardless of where you are.