What is VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a network technology that creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet or a private network owned by a service provider. File sharing, video conferencing, network services, large corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies use VPN technology to enable remote users to securely connect to a private network. By using a VPN, ensure security to anyone intercepting the encrypted data can't read it.

A dial-up or leased line connection creates a physical connection to a port on a remote access server on a private network. A virtual private network can be contrasted with an expensive system of owned or leased lines that can only be used by one organization. However, using dial-up or leased lines to provide network access is expensive when compared to the cost of providing network access using a VPN connection. The goal of a VPN is to provide the organization with the same capabilities, but at a much lower cost.

VPNs provide security through tunneling protocols and security procedures such as encryption. In protocols, by encrypting data at the sending end and decrypting it at the receiving end, send the data through a "tunnel" that cannot be "entered" by data that is not properly encrypted. An additional level of security involves encrypting not only the data, but also the originating and receiving network addresses.