VPN

Added on April 5, 2026

A Virtual Private Network (or VPN) is a technology that allows devices on separate networks to communicate securely by creating a dedicated path between each other over the Internet (known as a tunnel). Devices connected within this tunnel form their own private network.

For example, only devices within the same network (such as within a business) can directly communicate. However, a VPN allows two offices to be connected. Let's take the diagram below, where there are three networks:

Network #1 (Office #1) Network #2 (Office #2) Network #3 (Two devices connected via a VPN) The devices connected on Network #3 are still a part of Network #1 and Network #2 but also form together to create a private network (Network #3) that only devices that are connected via this VPN can communicate over.

Advantages

• Allows networks in different geographical locations to be connected.
• Offers privacy: VPN technology uses encryption to protect data. This means that it can only be understood between the devices it was being sent from and is destined for, meaning the data isn't vulnerable to sniffing.
• Offers anonymity:

VPN Technologies

PPP

This technology is used by PPTP (explained below) to allow for authentication and provide encryption of data. VPNs work by using a private key and public certificate (similar to SSH). A private key & certificate must match for you to connect.

This technology is not capable of leaving a network by itself (non-routable).

PPTP

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is the technology that allows the data from PPP to travel and leave a network.

PPTP is very easy to set up and is supported by most devices. It is, however, weakly encrypted in comparison to alternatives.

IPSec

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) encrypts data using the existing Internet Protocol (IP) framework.

IPSec is difficult to set up in comparison to alternatives; however, if successful, it boasts strong encryption and is also supported on many devices.