VPN Full Form

VPN full form is Virtual Private Network that enables the users to securely use network resources by corresponding to an encrypted and secure network. It hides the user's IP address and allows them to share files and data privately and securely. This is really helpful for businesses that share confidential data online and are at a high risk of hacking. 

What is VPN Full Form?

The full form of a VPN is Virtual Private Network. The VPN is a simple process that works on site-to-site and remote accessibility to run. The VPN users get good AES256 encryption with an 8192-bit key. VPN allows users to get a safe connection even on a comparatively less secure network. This ensures the security of the user's confidential information and data by being completely isolated from the rest of the internet. 

Highlights on VPN

Major Users of the VPN

The VPN, the full form of which is the Virtual Private Network, is used by different users from varied industries. The major VPN users include: 

• Government
• Businesses
• Military
• Individual users

History of VPN

The idea of VPN was generated in 1996 when an employee from Microsoft started working on Peer to Peer Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). The first VPN was published in 1999. The commercial use of VPNs started in the early 2000s. The major use of VPNs at that time was limited to accessing private business networks. It made secure file sharing possible in offices. 

How do VPNs Work?

The VPN works by hiding the user's IP address. It hides the IP address by allowing the network to redirect the IP address through a specially configured remote server managed by a VPN host. When a person or business uses VPN, their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties are not able to track the sites they visit or the data they send or receive. Even if someone tracks the data, it won't be of any use to them. 

Benefits of VPN

• It ensures confidentiality of user's data
• It ensure safety of the user's data and protects it from getting changed during transmission
• VPN ensures non-repudiation which means the sender cannot deny that they didn't send the data
• VPN also ensures data authentic by verifying the source and destination's authenticity
• It allows access to the large data remotely helping the businesses improve their productivity
• The VPN service packages are available at affordable prices
• VPN puts a check on the data throttling

Types of VPN

There are majorly two-types of VPN, which include:

• Client-based VPN that is a virtual private network between an individual user and a remote network. This is done by using an application to create the VPN connection.
• Network-based VPN is another type of VPNs that is known to securely connect two networks on an unreliable network.
• Site-to-site VPN is basically a private network that allows users to access each other's resources and hides private intranets. It allows companies with different branches to connect through Local Area Network (LAN) connected to the Wide Area Network (WAN).

Protocols of VPN

Many distinct VPN protocols are used to create a stable and secure network. Some of the protocols used for VPN include: 

• IPsec (IP security)
• PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol )
• L2TP (Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol)
• OpenVPN
• SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)

Future of VPNs

Forecasts were made about the demise of VPNs before the COVID-19 pandemic but as we all know, the situation completely changed after the pandemic. VPN came as a rescue when businesses were in dilemma on how to ensure the safety and security of the business data when employees would be using personal computers and mobile devices in work-from-home setup. With work-from-home becoming a new normal, the future of VPN is very bright. It is helping people who want to hide their actual IP addresses or want to secure confidential information. 

To meet the changing user demands, VPNs need to evolve. They are expected to have better process capabilities now being built into end systems. The expectations of more software-based VPN technology in endpoints are high. AI and machine learning will further boost these protections without the need for additional network or security administrator support. 

How VPN Protects from Identity Theft?

To meet the changing user demands, VPNs need to evolve. They are expected to have better process capabilities now being built into end systems. The expectations of more software-based VPN technology in endpoints are high. AI and machine learning will further boost these protections without the need for additional network or security administrator support. 

In technological aspect, the identity theft occurs when hackers steal your data and commit crimes in your name. Generally, the hackers can change the name or use the original person’s name in doing so. Through th eidentity theft, th ehackers can buy property or expensive electronic devices or open new bank accounts or invest in any firm or organization. In this case, the identity of the hacker is safe and encrypted but the real person’s identity is exposed.

In this scenario of identity theft, the VPN protects the users data by creating an encrypted tunnel or passage of network. Therefore, all the data that the user sends or receive is now safe. Nowadays, with the increase in the technological advancement and related intricacies, the thing kept on mobile or th ewifi connection can be harmful. The chances of online attacks have increased to a larger extent. The case of cyber crime and harassment is another prime example.

Generally, the routine activities like shopping online, browsing on the internet can make one vulnerable and prone to cybercrimes. During this time, setting a VPN can provide a protective layer to the data at all times. This is especially useful when the user use public Wi-Fi as hackers won’t be able to see the login credentials or any confidential documents such as the credit card number.

In the todays world of technoilogical expansion, it is better to understand that it is almost impossible to prevent identity theft. Even VPN won’t be able to provide the sufficient protection against the theft or can vouch on complete security. But, using VPN can minimise the data theft and loss. Therefore, the cyber crime protection experts are of the opinion that using VPN can safeguard the network to a certain extent. Since cybercrime and data theft is increasing and most marketers, Government Agencies want the online data of a customer/client. Therefore, using a VPN is highly recommended. With the help of set algorithm, the online data allows hackers to understand the users mindset. The data represents your personality of a user and reveals a lot about him. With the advancement of the growing VPN companies, one can get VPN at minimal and affordable prices.  At the same time, it is easier to install and use a VPN due to its user-friendly nature. AThe VPN that the service provider installs must be checked thoroughly. The basic and minimum research is required before selecting a trustworthy VPN service provider that provides the user with maximum security. Although one should always remember that VPN is not an all in one solution to prevent the data from theft. Even if the user uses VPN, there are chances of data theft. VPN just provides   and add a layer of protection to the online surfacing data.

Latest Addition to VPN

The recent addition to VPN security is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) which brings together multiple technologies like secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, firewall as service, and zero trust network access. The objective of bundling these technologies together is to fortify the security of a corporate VPN. Preventing unauthorized access by attackers, stopping known malicious websites, and locking down the web by making a secure VPN connection to a cloud-based SASE system are some of the benefits of this design.

Best Practices to Maintain VPN Security

To ensure the safety and security of the data, the enterprises need to maintain VPN security. And how should it be done? Businesses can do this by focusing on proper endpoint security and authentication. Enterprises can get the VPN server function embedded in a hardened security system by opting for enterprise-grade VPN services supported by software-defined WAN and Secure Access Service Edge offerings.