Why Should You Use VPNs?

As technology advances, experts start to throw out words like virtual private networks. While these networks might not be memorable right now, in the near future, they will be as important to you as your Internet connection.

What Are VPNs?

A VPN is a technology that allows you to be encrypted even over a less secure network. Using a VPN makes your connection security when the underlying network infrastructure alone cannot provide it. The most common types of VPNs are remote-access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs.

A remote-access VPN uses a public telecommunication infrastructure like the Internet to provide remote users secure access to their organization's network. To access, you would connect to a VPN on the organization's network, which typically requires the device to authenticate its identity. It establishes a network link back to the device, allowing for access to internal network resources (e.g., file servers, printers, intranets) as though it was on that network locally. A remote-access VPN usually relies on either IPsec or SSL to secure the connection, although SSL VPNs are often focused on supplying secure access to a single application rather than to the whole internal network. Some VPNs provide Layer 2 access to the target network; these require a tunneling protocol like PPTP or L2TP running across the base IPsec connection.

A site-to-site VPN relies on a gateway device to connect the entire network in one location to the network in another, usually a small branch connecting to a data center. End-node devices in the remote location do not need VPN clients because the gateway handles the connection. Most site-to-site VPNs connecting over the Internet use IPsec. The connect usually uses MPLS clouds rather than public Internet as the transport for VPNs. With site-to-site VPN, you can have additional security in Layer 2 or Layer 3.

Why Are VPNs Important?

It secures your computer's Internet connection to guarantee that all data you're sending and receiving is encrypted and secured from prying eyes. Whether the VPNs you're familiar with are the ones offered by your school or business to help you work or stay connected when you're traveling or the ones you pay to get you watch your favorite shows in another country as they air, they're all doing the same thing.

Several types of people can benefit from VPNs. Because a VPN is just a way to bolster your security and access resources on a network, the benefits come from what you choose to do with it Students or workers use VPNs to access a company or school site when they are traveling or away from school. They need to be secure to avoid competitors getting access to sensitive information or people accessing student information. Those who are downloading software use them to ensure the company’s sales team doesn’t tag them as a person for spam. People who are scared for their information will use VPNs to keep their data safe and secure. Those who travel around the world like VPNs to watch their favorite shows without relying on local networks.

If you fall into any of these categories, you should use VPNs. In the future, VPNs will be more common and used more often.