VPN is a Virtual Private Network and means “Virtual Private Network”, which is available in two variants and enables the participants a secure encrypted communication.

Basic

The assigned network is the network to which the subscribers are connected. External devices can be connected via VPN using a gateway and in this case are called End-to-Site VPN. Each VPN partner thus becomes a member of an assigned network and can be reached directly.

The access path (gateway) can also lead the user into a purely digital network and consists only of VPN partners. Here the virtual private network is called end-to-end VPN and is only accessible to users who know how to access the gateway.

You can read which VPN providers are good for what here, in an article by our colleagues.

The third possibility are two compatible networks, which are located at the border to the same neighboring network and connect with each other there. In such a site-to-site VPN, the neighboring networks can be different.

When at least two individual networks connect to their devices, they are referred to as mutually accessible networks. For example, a NAT router, DSL router or gateway can be used as connection devices. In the case of a pure virtual VPN, one of the participants takes over the function of the VPN device. The DSL router, which allows a work computer, for example, to connect to the World Wide Web, serves as a kind of gateway to the Internet. Internet participants only have limited access to a company’s intranet.

What are the advantages of a VPN network?

The advantages of a VPN network lie particularly in the protection of all connected devices that are connected to the VPN home router. A suitable router with VPN function on board costs less than 25 euros and is ready for use within a short time. After setting up the router, any device with VPN support in the household can be connected to the virtual private network.
Tablets, smartphones, PCs, game consoles or Amazon Fire TV sticks, for example, can be integrated into the VPN service. The devices are anonymous on the Internet and cannot be explored by Internet portals such as streaming services. The devices of a VPN are protected against the majority of security leaks. A child and youth protection function is available and protects users from dubious content from the Internet.

Modern VPN routers have a firewall and other protection functions that efficiently protect all connected devices against malware, phishing, hackers or dangerous websites. Expensive security software can be dispensed with. Privacy is protected by the use of a VPN network against complete external monitoring. VPN users have unrestricted access to all content on the network at all times.