When you connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network), whether you have access to the Internet and browsing or downloading resources depends on how the VPN is configured. There are two main settings to consider:

1. Split tunneling

In mode split tunneling, your Internet traffic does not go through the VPN, but is split: traffic destined for the internal network (for example, company resources or home network) goes through the VPN, while traffic destined for the Internet is sent directly from your device, using your regular Internet connection.

This method allows you to access local network resources through the VPN while using your own Internet connection for browsing and downloads, which can result in better speed for Internet access since the traffic does not need to be redirected through the VPN network.

2. Full Tunneling

With full tunneling, all your Internet traffic is redirected through the VPN. This means that both traffic directed to the internal network and any other Internet traffic (browsing, downloads, etc.) will go through the VPN.

This setting is useful to ensure greater security and privacy, since all your Internet traffic is encrypted and your true IP address is hidden.

However, it can lead to a decrease in browsing and download speeds due to traffic being redirected through the VPN's network, especially if the VPN server is far from your physical location.

VPN configuration

The choice between split tunneling and full tunneling is usually configured on the VPN server or may be an option that you can select in the VPN client, depending on the VPN solution you are using.

Some situations, such as remote access to work environments, may require the use of full tunneling due to company security policies to ensure that all traffic is adequately monitored and protected.

Security Considerations

While split tunneling offers greater speed and convenience for Internet access, it reduces the protection that the VPN offers over your online activities, since only traffic to the internal network is encrypted and protected.

On the other hand, full tunneling maximizes security and privacy, but can impact the performance of your Internet connection.

In short, whether you will have access to the Internet and download/browsing resources through the VPN depends on how the VPN is configured (split tunneling vs. full tunneling). It's important to consider your security and performance needs when choosing or configuring your VPN connection.