Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure and private connection between two or more devices over the internet. VPNs are commonly used to protect sensitive data, such as online banking information, passwords, and personal communications, from cyber threats.
Subfields of VPNs
- Tunneling: the process of encapsulating data within a secure and private tunnel, using protocols such as PPTP, L2TP, and SSL. Tunneling enables VPNs to create a secure connection over an insecure network, such as the internet.
- VPN Protocols: the rules and procedures that VPNs use to establish and maintain a secure connection between devices. Common VPN protocols include OpenVPN, IPSec, and SSL/TLS.
- VPN Clients: software applications that enable users to connect to a VPN server and establish a secure and private connection. VPN clients are available for a variety of devices, including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, and tablets.
- Remote Access VPN: a type of VPN that enables users to access a private network from a remote location, such as a home office or a coffee shop. Remote access VPNs are commonly used by remote workers to access company resources securely.
- Site-to-Site VPN: a type of VPN that connects two or more private networks over the internet, creating a secure and private connection between them. Site-to-site VPNs are commonly used by businesses to connect multiple office locations and to facilitate secure data exchange.