A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a critical technology that improves internet security and provides secure remote access for users that require access to company WANs and their resources. A VPN links all types of users from all types of locales. Its features should be secure, user-friendly, and adaptable enough to navigate the cloud across multiple platforms and use cases.
How do VPNs work? VPNs have a protocol layer, known as a tunneling protocol, which wraps and encrypts network communication. This method renders VPN communication effectively opaque while it transits the public internet, preventing unauthorized users from detecting the network's contents. If a third party inspected traffic in transit, it would be unable to view packet payloads.
VPNs prohibit unauthorized third parties from inspecting the traffic flow between specific users and the online resources they utilize. This is especially true in cases where employees use VPNs to safeguard work-related activities, transactions, file transfers, application usage, and so on.
VPNs also hide specific user information in the traffic they secure. IP addresses, geographic locations, browser histories, devices, and software are examples of information that is not readily available to anyone outside of the VPN network.
Use cases for VPNs:
VPNs are most commonly used by businesses to create a secure, private network over the public internet. Typical VPN use cases include the following::
Working remotely: VPNs are made available by organizations so that remote workers can access network resources and apps.
Privacy: Users and businesses who want to keep work-related information, sensitive data, and communications hidden from third parties, such as ISPs, telecommunications, and other corporations that handle internet traffic, can use a VPN.
Security: Users who connect to the internet through an insecure network might use a VPN to protect their data and communications from unauthorized disclosures.