A virtual private network (VPN) is programming that creates a safe, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the public internet. A VPN uses tunneling protocols to encrypt data at the sending end and decrypt it at the receiving end. To provide additional security, the originating and receiving network addresses are also encrypted. VPNs are used to provide remote corporate employees, freelance workers and business travelers with access to software applications hosted on proprietary networks or web sites that are geographically restricted. To gain access to a restricted resource through a VPN, the user must provide one or more authentication factors, such as a password, security token or biometric data. VPN apps are also commonly used by individuals who want to protect data transmissions on their mobile devices or visit web sites that are geographically restricted. Secure access to an isolated network or website through a mobile VPN should not be confused with private browsing, however. Private browsing does not involve encryption; it is simply an optional browser setting that prevents identifiable user data, such as cookies, from being collected and forwarded to a third-party server. VPN protocols The benefit of using VPN protocols is that they ensure an appropriate level of security to connected systems when the underlying network infrastructure alone cannot provide it. There are several different protocols used to secure and encrypt users and corporate data. They include: - IP security (IPsec)
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
- Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)
- OpenVPN
Types of VPNs Remote access VPN - connects clients to a VPN gateway server on the organization's network. This type of VPN usually relies on either IP Security (IPsec) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to secure the connection Site-to-site VPN - uses a gateway device to connect an entire network in one location to a network in another location. End-node devices in the remote location do not need VPN clients because the gateway handles the connection. Most site-to-site VPNs use the IPsec protocol. Continue reading... |
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