SSL VPN

VPN systems, also known as virtual private network systems, are all the rage with businesses these days. VPNs create a sort of mobile firewall for communications between networked computers. With a VPN system, employees can transmit sensitive, confidential data from their Blackberry device, laptop computer, home computer, or even computer in an internet café while traveling, with the fear of the information being intercepted or stolen. By logging into the VPN, from any computer, you are immediately covered by the protection of the VPN, sometimes called the VPN tunnel, just like you would be within the office environment, but all over public lines. Sometimes, however, accessing this VPN tunnel, be it a SSL VPN VoIP tunnel or a purely data VPN tunnel, could be a struggle. That is where the SSL part of SSL VPN comes into play. Web SSL VPN connections offer the easiest remote access to VPN systems of any kind of connection.

SSL VPN Definition

Technically speaking, SSL VPN means Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network. You might have seen the term “SSL” when you have made purchases over the internet. An SSL, or Secure Socket Layer, is a kind of certificate of authenticity for websites. It means that all information sent to that website will be encrypted and is guaranteed to be secure from outside hackers. For that reason, SSL connections are ideal for online credit card transactions. This same encryption technology has been applied to VPN systems to allow easy access. With an SSL VPN connection, a VPN system can be accessed from any computer with an https:// style intranet address and a password. Basic authentication with SSL on VPN systems means that the connection is now secure. All of the data then sent over that connection should be encrypted by the SSL VPN navigator.

Getting an SSL VPN Connection for your Network

If an SSL VPN access system sounds right for your business, you will have to a VPN client that supports it. You will need to contact your personal VPN system to find out the specifics of what you need to know about SSL VPN concentration and problems like the SSL not passing over the VPN. For instance, if your Cisco VPN is not passing SSL traffic, you will need to contact Cisco. Citrix SSL VPN and IPSEC SSL VPN are popular clients, but clientless web SSL VPN software can be found as well. Do some research to find free web SSL VPN accounts for your system.