See also: Security | Cryptography
Acronym: Virtual Private Network
Hardware and/or software systems that allow separate computers to connect to one another over a secure network. In a private network, there is no connection made to the outside world or this connection is strictly regulated. A virtual private network one uses encryption and authentication to secure members of the VPN and the information they exchange, making connections behave as if it were a private network.
VPNs are common and growing because they create secure connections but also allow everyday operations such as web surfing. VPNs allow an unsecure service like Telnet, E-Mail, and FTP to interface securely with remote systems, so long as they also have compatable VPN software enabled.
The majority of VPN software implementations utilize the IPSEC protocol.
Links/News
- Open Directory Project – VPN
- FindVPN Articles and Information about VPN
- InternetWeek
- Cisco – Security and VPN
- IntranetJournal What to look for in a larger VPN service
- Fedora: Implementing OpenVPN
- introduction to OpenVPN
TakeDown.NET -> “VPN”