What is a VPN and How Does It Work?

A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a form of data transfer, such as building a virtual network that can be used privately to send personal packets. Encryption of data sent and received via VPN is a feature that can lock content and communication, making this type of transmission more secure than any other. VPNs are technological compulsions that work beyond the normal network settings, allowing specific objectives to be achieved.

A VPN, for example, hides IP (replacing a dedicated server), allowing you to cancel user geolocation. This will allow you to browse without any restrictions for standard navigation. For example, you can access the US Netflix catalog (undoubtedly different and more effective than Europe) without the service itself redirecting to the national version with all legal limitations. Anonymity is important for many services, while security is required for all remote operations: accessing corporate servers via VPN means keeping information secure and avoiding corporate problems, projects, internal communications, and your accounts.

What is a VPN and How Does It Work?

VPN is used

VPNs are used above all in the business environment and in public administration, mainly because it is possible to reduce costs in creating a secure personal network and created, more specifically, by exploiting public network infrastructure. However, many independent users choose to filter the VPN network to explore and exchange data online securely and without restrictions or geoblocking.

Among the various services available, some providers also offer the option of which protocols will be used to connect by selecting a VPN server configured within their (corporate / private) network or by a third party managed connection. Below we analyze in detail the types, protocols, and protocols depicting VPNs.

VPN segmentation

VPN networks are divided into access networks and site-to-site networks:

Remote VPN connection

Dialing links allow users (for example, smart work) to access a server on a private network via the Internet. This type of connection can be seen as a link between the VPN client PC and the company server. As already mentioned, from a practical point of view, it is as if you have a dedicated and private relationship;

Site and site VPN connection

Site-to-site connections are used to connect to a private network, often with the help of a social network, offices located in multiple locations, or other organizations, allowing secure routes and communications. In this case, each office will have a dedicated router, a VPN network node that will deliver data packets to the same recipients in accordance with the client / server model, sharing information with remote offices in a completely transparent manner. With that in mind, two sub-VPN classes per site can be separated:

VPN-Intranet class where you join multiple offices of the same company;

VPN-Extranet class where you join companies and offices outside the organization.

How does a VPN work?

There is nothing illegal about using a VPN; on the contrary: it is a moral decision that allows you to operate the network with great security. Therefore, it is not an escape from legitimacy. However, a careful approach to cybersecurity, especially when there is significant risk information and a security mechanism, is an important indicator of professionalism (see, to keep it that way, cases of cyber attacks).

The secret lies in the so-called “tunnel,” that is, the construction of the natural tunnel through which human data is transmitted. This dedicated channel separates information across the network, secures it and makes it accessible only to two ends of continuous communication: the client node and the VPN service server.

Understanding how a VPN works is important as it depends on the security of its road packages to external companies. Therefore, it is necessary to choose safe, targeted, robust indicators: traffic is transmitted to servers that become the source of the complexity of one's online activities, so it is necessary to analyze all aspects of the selected service before choosing a offer.

Performance is also important as low (or very remote) servers can drastically reduce online self-awareness with detrimental effects on daily work, study or entertainment. In addition, the encryption agreements used are important as they represent the power of the “tunnel” that will protect individual packs along the way.

Price indicates primarily the type of VPN selected: Reliable VPNs that prioritize transfer speeds; Protected VPNs prioritize their security, while Hybrid VPNs seek the best compromise between the two solutions.

VPN Network Regulations

With a VPN transfer, there are appropriate agreements for their choice of use that should be based on the needs and requirements. Each of these agreements, with its specifications, provides protection for data packets from transmission. The most common agreements include:

PPTP

Point to Point Tunnel Protocol is a Layer 2 protocol based on the PPP protocol (Protocol to Point-to-Point) protocol and is commonly used in conjunction with the third layer protocol GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation).

L2TP

Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol is a Layout 2 protocol that does not provide any kind of authentication and encryption but only allows for the creation of a visible tunnel.

IPSEC

Summary of Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), a third layer protocol that allows secure communication over IP networks. The confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data traffic is guaranteed by encryption and authentication methods.

L2TP / IPsec

Using L2TP protocols via IPsec is one way to get the best features for both levels. The result is a secure security protocol, which allows encrypted data transmission (IPSEC) over a virtual network (L2TP).

SSL / TLS

Secure Sockets Layer (TLS - Transport Layer Security's updated and secure version of SSL) is a fourth protocol whose technology can also be used to ensure the security of VPN connections. One of the software solutions for setting up a VPN using SSL is OpenVPN.

HTTPS

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), a hypertext-protected application protocol layer protocol based on SSL / TLS transport protocol, can be used to install ad hoc applications and browser extensions.

How to use a VPN?

Activating a VPN is very easy, and anyone can access it very easily. Each service offers a client who makes every single option available. When the service is activated, the “tunnel” that transmits the packets is opened, and the roaming begins to move with the benefit of what the VPN can offer.

Conclusion

Once the client has started and the registration has been registered, VPN adds a lock to all data packets sent over the network: new opportunities open up, and the doors are closed to malicious outsiders, making their jobs much safer.

It is useful in some cases, it is important in others, VPN is a good tool usually for anyone working online, especially in the professional field. But you should know how to choose: not all VPNs are the same, and understanding their features means being able to manage all the outgoing and outgoing information on your PC, your smartphone, your TV, or any other connected device for the better. services.