What is a VPN?

You have often heard this word but you do not understand its meaning?

We are going in this article to explain what is a VPN?

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

An encrypted and secure connection over the Internet that originates from a single device or multiple devices to a network is called a virtual private network (VPN). The encrypted connection guarantees the secure transmission of confidential data. It also prevents unauthorized people from spying on network traffic and allows users to perform jobs remotely. This technology is widely used in corporate environments.

Data encryption at one end of the protocol and decryption at the receiving end after the data packets are sent through a private tunnel that only encrypted data packets can access. This provides an additional layer of security, since both the source and destination addresses, together with the actual data packet for transmission, are encrypted.

Functionality

The extension of a corporate network through encrypted connections made through the Internet is called a VPN. Since traffic is encrypted between the device and the network, it is kept private while traveling. Employees can connect to the corporate network even if they work outside the office. Smartphones and tablets can also be connected through a VPN.

Historically, a VPN was initially created to allow office workers at a specific branch of the company to access information, company data and applications securely. Currently, it is more used by employees who work remotely from the office, as well as by other people hired to whom the company wishes to grant access rights to protected content.  A VPN can also be used to access sites that have geographical restrictions.

VPN and secure remote access

The remote connection of users and devices to a corporate network in a secure and protected way is called secure remote access. This includes VPN technology that applies powerful methods to require user or device authentication. VPN technology assesses whether a specific device is capable of meeting a series of requirements, which are also known as the device's posture. This is a necessary step before you can be granted rights to connect remotely.

A tunnel is established as a secure online route through which virtual network traffic is sent. VPN traffic from different devices is encrypted as it travels through the tunnel, making external employees able to access the corporate network.

VPN types

There are a couple of types of VPN available depending on the needs of the companies. The two most common types of VPN are remote access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs. Along with the two are Mobile VPNs, Hardware VPN, VPN device, and dynamic virtual multipoint private network (DMVPN). [4] Below are its description and use:

VPN remote access

Clients can connect to a VPN gateway server in the organization's network through a remote access VPN. This type of gateway requires device authentication before allowing any access to the resources connected to the internal network. Generally depends on (1) Secure Sockets Layer ( SSL) or (2) IP Security (IPsec) to establish a secure connection. Although SSL VPNs are more commonly used to provide secure access to individual applications than to a complete internal network, some VPNs offer Level 2 access to the destination network. This requires a certain tunneling protocol, such as the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol or the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, which can work through the base IPsec connection. In addition to SSL and IPsec, a Transport Layer Security (TLS), as well as an OpenVPN are some of the other protocols that can be used to establish VPN connectivity and encrypt data.

Site to site VPN

A site-to-site VPN uses a specific gateway device to create a connection to an entire network at a location to another network in a separate area. End node devices that are in remote locations do not depend on the use of a VPN client . This is because the gateway is already responsible for the management of this connection. Most site-to-site VPNs that connect over the Internet depend on IPsec as a base. Carrier MPLS clouds are also more commonly used, instead of the public Internet as transportation for site-to-site VPNs. It is also possible to have a Layer 2 that has a virtual private LAN service or a Layer 3 connectivity that depends on MPLS, IP, VPN running through its base transport.

Mobile VPN

In a mobile VPN, the server is located on the edge of a company network through which it is only accessible through a secure tunnel established by authorized and authenticated VPN clients. These mobile VPN tunnels do not depend on a physical IP address , however, they are individually linked to a specific logical IP address. This remains connected to the final device wherever it is. An effective mobile VPN continually serves users and can switch between multiple public and private networks, along with other access technologies.

Hardware VPN

This type of VPN offers a number of advantages over software-based VPNs. These are able to balance the load and provide an improved security system. Load balancing is most useful when there is a need to handle large customer loads. For this, a web browser interface is necessary. The web browser works to manage and manage customer load. Because of their cost, they are more realistic for large companies than for small businesses or branches.

VPN device

A VPN device is simply a network device equipped with other enhanced security features. It is also known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). Functionally, it works like a router that provides a number of functions. This includes protection through a firewall, load balancing, authentication and authorization rights, and VPN encryption.

Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Network (DMVPN)

A DMVPN is a secure network that transfers data and information through websites without the need for a VPN server or router through which this traffic passes. Simply put, it establishes a mesh VPN service that uses a hub and a VPN firewall router .

It is a secure network that exchanges data between sites without needing to pass traffic through the server or router of the virtual private network (VPN) of the headquarters of an organization. Basically, it creates a VPN mesh service that runs on VPN firewall routers and hubs. Access to available resources is provided to each router configured for each remote site that is connected to the VPN device (hub) of the company's headquarters.

Commercial use

Consumers use the private VPN service, also known as the VPN tunnel, daily to protect their identities and online activities. Anonymous VPN services allow an individual's online traffic information and data to remain secure and encrypted. This prevents the likelihood of network interception and telephone wiretapping. VPN services are particularly useful when accessing Wi-Fi public access points, as some public wireless services may not be secure. In addition, a private VPN service also provides consumers with unlimited access to the Internet and can help unlock websites and prevent data theft. 

Companies and organizations often use a VPN to transfer confidential communications through a public network and also to send voice, video or data messages. It is also an excellent option for remote employees and for organizations with global offices and partners to share data privately.