Define VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Introduction – Definition & information about VPNs

A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is a means of connecting through a network over a secure encrypted connection to secure all data in transit. These day’s VPN platforms are available in the hundreds such as the best VPNs for Australia and can be used for a variety of different purposes such as bypassing GEO content restrictions, accessing P2P services like BitTorrent or just protecting your data if your traveling and using an unfamiliar network.

When you connect to a VPN you effectively tunnel all your network traffic through another server through a secure connection which then makes requests and or retrieves data on your behalf.

VPN applications can help to preserve your privacy by hiding your IP address on the network your connected to and access websites that may be blocked in your country or region.

This technology enables data to be transmitted securely over networks with poor security such as wireless networks at hotels, coffee shops or other public locations by utilizing Cryptography to encrypt all the information in transit before it leaves the device.

These networks often have weak passwords and are vulnerable to traffic analysis attacks whereby a malicious user can intercept all traffic and potentially capture emails, messages, images and or voice & video data such as video calls.

Protocols

Most VPN technologies will utilize different network protocols, here are the most common ones associated with the technology.

IPSec: This is a set of protocols formulated by the IETF to facilitate the secure exchange of packets on the IP layer, IPSec has two encryption modes which are the transport and tunnel.
PPTP: The Point-to-Point Tunneling protocol was made in order to create VPN’s by Microsoft and other technology vendors collectively known as the PPTP forum.
L2TP: This stands for Layer 2 Tunneling protocol, it is an extension of the PPP protocol that allows internet service providers such as Telstra to operate VPN servers.

Uses for a VPN

Virtual private networks have a number of different uses, their most common use is by organizations who have large teams or operate in multiple locations.

A VPN in this case would facilitate the sharing of files between people from different locations that may potentially be insecure or not abide by company standards for network security.

Some users also connect to VPNs they trust when logging into social media accounts on unfamiliar networks, online payment platforms as well as Cryptocurrency exchanges from different countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Dubai or Norway.

Another use of these networks is to circumvent content blocking systems which may restrict access to content based on the country of the user. For example a video may only be available in the United Kingdom and not available to users located in Poland.

In this example a VPN server located in the UK could be used to access the content for the user in another country.

Potential advantages

The biggest advantage of using a VPN is the fact you can establish secure connections when traveling and unsure of the security of your current network.

They can also help by adding a level of privacy by safeguarding your network traffic from malicious adversaries on the network or from websites actively tracking your movements around the web.

Potential disadvantages & The dangers of using free VPN’s

The major disadvantage of using a VPN is that you are trusting the server to safeguard your information, just because your connection to the server is encrypted doesn’t mean the provider isn’t logging data or worse engaging in data mining with your sensitive information.

This concern is mostly an issue with consumer VPN apps particularly “free vpns” for both desktop and mobile devices which will often weaken security more then they claim to improve and may even perform other nasty actions like inject malware or ads into pages you visit.

In order to overcome this problem you can use various open source software such as OpenVPN which allows one to set-up his/her own server which can be configured to connect from desktop and mobile devices. Other disadvantages of using this technology is that depending on where the server is located your internet connection may be much slower as the data will need to be encrypted first which can slow down load times for websites and applications.

Differences between an access VPN or tunnel

VPN tunnel

A tunnel is the most common form of VPN server commonly called a “Privacy VPN” as it will direct the entire network traffic of a device through a remote server. All requests are then funneled through the server and made on behalf of the client. Tunnels are most commonly used by consumers

Access VPN

This type of server is set-up purely for the purpose of allowing remote connections (usually to an internal network or locally hosted service), it commonly used by enterprises to allow employees to remotely access the corporate network securely so they can access their files.

A system like this won’t protect all network traffic but only aid in establishing a secure encrypted connection to the network or server configured by the organization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a VPN?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that establishes a secure and encrypted connection across a public network, such as the internet, in order to safeguard your online privacy and data.

Why should I use a VPN?

By concealing your IP address, encrypting your internet traffic, and preventing third parties from monitoring your online activities, VPNs can assist to improve your online security and privacy.

Is using a VPN legal?

Using a VPN for lawful purposes is permitted in most countries. It is crucial to emphasize, however, that utilizing a VPN for unlawful purposes remains illegal.

Can I access geo-restricted content with a VPN?

Yes, a VPN can let you access geo-restricted content by making your browser appear to be in a different location.

How does a site-to-site VPN differ from a remote access VPN?

A site-to-site VPN connects complete networks, most commonly two or more branch offices or data centers. A remote access VPN, on the other hand, enables remote users to securely connect to a corporate network.

Do VPNs work on all devices and Operating Systems?

Yes most VPN applications work across different Operating Systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS as well as different models of routers such as TP Link and Netgear.

Conclusion

All up these servers can be very useful in safeguarding your data however one should be careful to choose a provider who has a privacy policy which will protect your data and not harm your security.

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Other pages on our glossary & website:

2-Factor Authentication

Cryptocurrency

P2P Networking

DDoS protection services for websites

Ransomware

Cloud computing