What is VPN?

These newly digital times have given rise to a whole new vocabulary, and keeping up with all of the ever evolving changes is hard work. Just when you think you have all of your computer and internet related lingo down pat, a whole new set of terms and phrases enters the lexicon. When it comes to internet security issues, this is especially so. To deal with all of the malware, spyware, adware, viruses, phishing, trojan horses, and so on that come along, people are constantly creating new kinds of virus protection and firewall protection, and often these new kinds of protections have all new names that you have to master. If you’ve been in a conversation about internet security lately, chances are you’ve heard about something called VPN. But, what is VPN? Who uses VPN, and do you need it?

The definition of VPN, or the SSL VPN definition, as it is sometimes called, is a virtual private network. It is really another layer of protection for networked computers that goes beyond a firewall. Through a VPN tunnel mode data system, all the computers that are part of a network can be used securely not matter where they are. And what VPN tunnel mode data? It is simple a way of referring to data transfer within a VPN system. Data sent over the network does down the network “tunnel” with is impenetrable to outside hackers.

Who Uses VPN Systems?

VPN systems are not the kind of thing that private, home internet users really need. For home systems, a firewall is enough to keep your computer secure. VPN systems are instead used by large companies. It provides an extra layer of protection for the company’s information. If a business person is traveling and using their laptop to transmit work documents via a wireless connection, by logging into the VPN first, they can transmit those documents with the same security they would expect if they were sending them from the office. Likewise if they are working on their home computer; though they are technically sending sensitive business information via an outside, public use line, the VPN system lets them use that public line as if it were a personal line, so other people cannot hack in and see what they are transmitting.

VPNs require a network of computers to be in place and really are not ideal for personal use. For business use, however, VPNs give the kind of security that lets the company rest at ease that their data is secure.