A virtual private network (VPN) is a logical network built over existing physical networks. It creates a protected communications path for selected traffic between devices or networks; the protection it provides depends on the VPN’s technology and configuration.
What does virtual private network mean?
NIST defines a VPN as a virtual network built on existing physical networks that can provide secure communications between networks or between nodes on the same network. In practical terms, a VPN carries network traffic through a protected connection using infrastructure that is already there, such as the internet. It is a logical network, not a separate set of physical cables. NIST glossary: virtual private network
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The familiar description of a VPN as a “tunnel” refers to that protected path through the underlying network. It does not mean every connection is automatically protected in every respect: the traffic routed through the VPN and the safeguards applied to it depend on how the VPN is designed and configured. NIST identifies IPsec as a common way to provide VPN services. NIST, Guide to IPsec VPNs (Special Publication 800-77 Rev. 1, June 30, 2020)
What protection can a VPN provide?
Depending on its technology and configuration, a VPN may provide confidentiality, integrity, authentication of the communicating party or data source, replay protection, and access control. For IPsec, NIST describes encryption, message authentication, key exchange, and peer authentication as parts of the security approach. Those protections are not automatic properties of every VPN; they depend on which features are enabled and how they are configured.
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A VPN can reduce the risks of communicating over an insecure network, but it does not make a device or connection invulnerable. Flaws in software or algorithms can leave a VPN exploitable. Nor can a VPN protect data that is exposed at a compromised endpoint: spyware, viruses, or other malware on a device may capture information such as passwords before it enters the VPN connection. NIST, Guide to IPsec VPNs; NIST, Security for Telecommuting and Broadband Communications
What are VPNs used for?
VPNs can link people, devices, or networks that need to communicate securely across an existing network. The deployment model depends on which endpoints need to connect and which resources should be reachable.
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- Remote access: A remote user or device connects to an organization’s network, such as to reach internal servers.
- Network-to-network: VPN gateways connect separate networks so devices on each side can communicate.
- Host-to-host: A VPN protects communications directly between two devices or hosts.
These models describe where the protected connection runs, not a guarantee that every application or all traffic on a device uses it. The routed traffic, authentication, access controls, and endpoint requirements depend on the implementation. NIST, Guide to IPsec VPNs
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No. A VPN is a way to create a protected communications path; the term alone does not establish that a user is anonymous or that all security risks are removed. The actual protections depend on the implementation, configuration, and security of the devices at both ends. A compromised device can expose information even when a VPN connection is in use. NIST, Guide to IPsec VPNs; NIST, Security for Telecommuting and Broadband Communications
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What should you check in a consumer VPN app?
If you are considering a VPN app, the Federal Trade Commission advises researching it before installing, reviewing the permissions it requests, checking that it encrypts information, and examining whether it shares information with third parties. These are useful questions to ask, not a certification that a particular app or provider is trustworthy. FTC, “FTC Provides Tips for Using VPN Apps” (February 2018)
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