Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a special type of Internet service used primarily in companies. It is used to allow users outside of a local network to access services inside the network. A VPN can be thought of as a secure tunnel. Any information going through the tunnel is encrypted so that only the people on each end are able to understand it. People outside this data “tunnel” cannot read or listen to the data flowing inside.

This sort of service is necessary because company computer networks are normally protected from the Internet by security devices, such as firewalls, that keep outside users from accessing internal resources. A VPN allows certain authorized outside users to access information as if they were inside the local network. So, for example, a manager working from home would be able to use a VPN to get access to a highly secure server inside the company’s network.

Another use for VPNs is when companies have offices in different cities. For these separate offices to be securely connected, the company must establish a VPN.