Virtual private network

A virtual private network (VPN) is a mechanism for creating a secure connection between a computing device and a computer network, or between two networks, using an insecure communication medium such as the public Internet.^[1]

A VPN can extend access to a private network (one that disallows or restricts public access) to users who do not have direct access to it, such as an office network allowing secure access from off-site over the Internet.^[2]

The benefits of a VPN include security, reduced costs for dedicated communication lines, and greater flexibility for remote workers.^[3]

A VPN is created by establishing a virtual point-to-point connection through the use of tunneling protocols over existing networks. A VPN available from the public Internet can provide some of the benefits^{[example needed]} of a private wide area network (WAN).^[4]

^ "virtual private network". NIST Computer Security Resource Center Glossary. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
^ "What Is a VPN? - Virtual Private Network". Cisco. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
^ Mason, Andrew G. (2002). Cisco Secure Virtual Private Network. Cisco Press. p. 7. ISBN 9781587050336.
^ "Virtual Private Networking: An Overview". TechNet. Microsoft Docs. 4 September 2001. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2021.

[:0-1] "virtual private network". NIST Computer Security Resource Center Glossary. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.

[2] "What Is a VPN? - Virtual Private Network". Cisco. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.

[3] Mason, Andrew G. (2002). Cisco Secure Virtual Private Network. Cisco Press. p. 7. ISBN 9781587050336.

[4] "Virtual Private Networking: An Overview". TechNet. Microsoft Docs. 4 September 2001. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2021.

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