The Basics of Virtual Private Network Explained

Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the most commonly services used by organizations in order to obtain remote access to a secured organizational network. In the past when internet was not in existence, computers in offices, towns or even in different countries could only communicate to each other through telephone. As the need of professional communication grew, phone lines were replaced by higher-volume of wires, such as T3 circuits though the concept remained same.

For a computer to talk to other, on the other hand, there was a need to use a physically wired connection. In order to ensure security, a user wanted to make sure that only the computer uses that line they wanted to talk to. Therefore, they would ask the vendor to lease that particular circuit which was however expensive and really difficult to expand.

After the emergence of the internet, connections did not need to be physical anymore. As long as a computer is connected to the internet, it can easily share the information with anyone via local ISP circuits all over the internet. Interestingly, all this comes in much the same way that was when people were used to get their computers physically connected. Accordingly, the way a VPN functions is known to be a virtual private network where users don’t need hard wires to get the entire connection done.

What is Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

VPN service allows online users to enjoy the highest levels of privacy and security when it comes to do an online business. In fact, VPN connections are established to be really attractive to both business and home based users. For example, you’re working from home and you need to access your files available on your office computer or connect to particular applications accessible only via your office network. Having VPN installed and your home computer or laptop configured to connect it allows you to get what you need from the office without worrying about the security of the data being transported over the internet. Likewise, users don’t need to worry about private data, such as address or phone number getting into the access of rogue system overseers when they use the internet. 

A VPN or Virtual Private Network should comprise the attributes described below:

Virtual – This term usually defines something being practically in effect though not in actual mean. Therefore, the as the first letter of VPN, virtual is something that may act as a hard-wired network but it is actually not. 

Private – Private is defined as belonging to a particular individual or group of individuals, not general or common. For that reason, a VPN is something where the user can make exclusive use of the network links provided. At this point, it is important to remember that virtual private network is not as same as a Secure Network which may act as both a public or private network.
Network – A network is usually described as a system of devices, such as computers, printers, etc. interconnected by phone wires or other means to allow users to share information. Mainly, this is the primary goal of all types of networks including VPN. 

In the light of above, a VPN acts as a network technology which enables the owner to share all types of information with other users on the network using a private and exclusive connection that is created through the internet.