Complete Guide to VPNs & Online Security

With more people working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, telecommuting, or traveling frequently, business security models are evolving rapidly. High-speed internet access and VPN technologies help maintain secure connections even outside traditional office perimeters.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, private “tunnel” for all your network traffic, protecting your data from hackers, governments, and ISPs.

What is a VPN? ​

A VPN is a cryptographic network that allows remote users to connect securely to company networks or access the internet privately.

Types of VPNs:​

• WAN VPN - For branch offices
• Access VPN - For roaming employees
• Extranet VPNs - For suppliers and customers

Using VPNs along with email encryption ensures no third party can intercept your data.

Why Use a VPN? ​

VPNs are not only for remote access - they also help:

• Protect your online privacy
• Encrypt sensitive data
• Verify the identity of connected devices
• Avoid monitoring by ISPs or hackers

A VPN turns the public Internet into a secure private network, using techniques like tunneling and IP encapsulation.

For more info, see VPNSurfers to protect yourself from online threats.

VPN Security Best Practices ​

To maintain VPN security, consider these measures:

• Use separate user accounts for VPN access
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Authenticate devices before granting VPN access
• Place VPN termination points in a DMZ for traffic inspection
• Disable split tunneling to prevent data leaks
• Maintain a whitelist of approved MAC or IP addresses
• Implement effective logging and log analysis

Following these practices helps prevent unauthorized access and keeps your network secure.

Popular VPN Tunneling Protocols ​

Here are some widely used VPN protocols:

• GRE - Generic Routing Encapsulation
• PPTP - Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
• L2F - Layer 2 Forwarding
• L2TP - Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
• IPSec - Internet Protocol Security
• Mobile IP - For mobile users

VPN Acronyms You Should Know ​

Abbreviation	Full Name
AAA	Authorization, Accounting, and Auditing
ATMP	Ascend Tunnel Management Protocol
CBC	Cipher Block Chaining
DMZ	Demilitarized Zone
IPSec	Internet Protocol Security
L2TP	Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
NAT	Network Address Translation
PPTP	Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
VPN	Virtual Private Network
WAN	Wide Area Network
TLS	Transport Layer Security
UDP	User Datagram Protocol

(This is a small selection; the full list includes 80+ VPN-related acronyms for networking and encryption.)

Final Thoughts ​

VPNs are essential for remote work, online privacy, and corporate security. They protect your data, verify devices, and encrypt traffic from prying eyes.

Key takeaways:

• Use VPNs for private network access
• Implement VPN security best practices
• Familiarize yourself with VPN protocols and acronyms
• Combine VPNs with multi-factor authentication and secure passwords

By understanding VPNs and applying these measures, you can work remotely safely and keep sensitive information secure.