What is Virtual Private Network (VPN) and what are the different types of VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a security control that provides online privacy and anonymity through creating private channels in a public Internet connectivity. VPN is security service that protects Internet connection and privacy online by creating an encrypted tunnel to enable data pass through securely. It masks or hides Internet protocol (IP) address so that online activity of individuals is rendered untraceable. Furthermore, it enables users to connect to the Internet in an encrypted manner by adding extra security and privacy assurance measures to the users’ online browsing history.
A VPN is a mechanism to extend a private network using a public network such as the Internet. Organizations and individuals establish a safe and encrypted connection tunnel over the less secure Internet.
Types of VPN
- Remote access VPN: allows users to connect to a remote network through using special software
- Personal VPN: Connects users to VPN provider’s servers for protection and privacy services while users surf the Internet, instead of establishing connection with a proprietary network.
- Site-to-site VPN: Allows users in selected locations to access each other’s networks securely. It is mostly used by businesses and large corporations to connect their offices with each other and enable branch offices to share resources and information safely.
The most common protocols that are used to establishing VPN based connections include the following:
- IP Security (IPsec)
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- OpenVPN
- Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)
- Point-to-point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)