“VPN” is a vocabulary to the majority of daily computer users. Many people seek to understand what is VPN and how it is useful. In simple words VPN have many usage like accessing private network from remotely. In modern time it is most widely used a proxy to access blocked content etc. Read More for full detail.Technically A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a shared network in which data is separated from other traffic to ensure that only the intended recipients access the data. Originally, the term VPN was used to describe a secure connection over the Internet. However, today, VPN is also used to describe private networks, like Asynchronous Transfer Mode(ATM), Multiprotocol Label Switching(MPLS) and Frame Relay.
VPNs are used for
Intranets: These connect an organization’s locations ranging from headquarters offices, to other branch offices and to remote employees’ homes. This connectivity allows for email and sharing of files and applications. Internet-based technologies such as cable or DSL are used since their are inexpensive compared to other connectivity technologies such as ATM and MPLS. Since data security is a major concern when transporting data over the Internet, IPSec(IP Security) is used to create secure VPNs.
Extranets: These are secure connections between organizations. IPSec-capable devices are installed on the existing Internet connections of two or more organizations. Extranets are used for supply-chain management, subscription services or development partnerships.
Remote access: Telecommuters and mobile workers are able to access business applications and emails through remote access. Though there are various methods that these workers can use like a dial-up connection to the organization’s modem pool, such methods can be very expensive. The organization has to pay long distance telephone and service costs. A remote access VPN is preferred to these methods as it greatly reduces costs by enabling distant workers to dial an Internet connection and set up a secure IPSec-based VPN communication to their organizations.
To realize the full benefits of a VPN, the VPN platform must be reliable, secure from intrusion and manageable across the enterprise. The platform must also have scalability- the ability to meet increasing requirements of the enterprise. The following are major components of a VPN:
1. Security
The VPN should be kept safe from tampering and unauthorized users. VPNs use technologies such as Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol(PPTP), MPLS, and IP Security(IPSec) together with Data Encryption Standard(DES) and others to take care of security.
2. Appliances
Intrusion detection firewalls are used to monitor traffic moving across network parameter and protect organizations from unauthorized access. The organization has to design a network that has a firewall installed on every connection with the Internet. Packet-level and application-level firewalls are two commonly used types of firewalls. Packet-level firewalls check the source and destination address of all packets trying to access the network. The user is let in and out of the network only if the packet is acceptable by the correspondent source and destination address. Application-level firewalls act as the host between the network and the computer. A user must log in to the firewall and can only access the information they are authorized for.
3. Management
VPNs should be flexible to the organization’s traffic management, security policies and access allowances.
Benefits of a VPN to a company
- A VPN extends the geographic connectivity of the company by allowing off-site workers to connect to the central resources. It is therefore easy for the company to set up global operations.
- VPNs boost employee productivity as time-consuming commutes are eliminated and uninterrupted time for focused work is created.
- They improve Internet security by using security measures including antiviruses and firewalls.
- A VPN allows a company to utilize the remote access infrastructure thus adding a virtually unlimited amount of capacity without adding significant infrastructure.
Best VPN Service Providers
Hide My Ass (HMA) – One of my favorite and I would say best in the industry with ease of use and wide number of servers worldwide
