From the course: Cisco Network Security: VPN

Describing a VPN - Cisco Routers Tutorial

From the course: Cisco Network Security: VPN

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Describing a VPN

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- [Instructor] Today, when you click on a hyperlink, you'll want to access a remote resource. In most cases, we must transport data over an insecure network such as the internet. In this segment, we'll learn how a virtual private network can secure communications and provide confidentiality, authentication, and integrity. We access resources in the cloud or remote office, on a mobile device or laptop, in an airport, or even another country. As a result, many businesses and consumers use virtual private network technology to transmit data. The history of VPN began in the late 1990s when a software engineer at Microsoft developed a secure way for a client to connect to a server. The engineer developed Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, which is the forerunner of today's VPNs. Microsoft included VPN capabilities in their operating systems for anyone to use. However, during that time, only businesses were using VPN technology. Eventually, home users started to embrace the idea of protecting their data, and e-commerce sites began to use SSL VPNs to secure credit card transactions. Concurrently, businesses expanded the use of VPN technology to protect communications of the growing number of remote workers. After the initial setup, using a VPN is transparent to the client, as they access network resources in the same way they would as if they were sitting in the private network, but remotely using cryptographic tunneling protocols. VPN technology has improved and are adaptable for all types of internet users, from desktop to laptop, and mobile operating systems. A VPN uses technology such as IPsec and transport layer security to secure network traffic between sites. Today, there are many reasons to have a VPN. A VPN protects your communication, and can protect your identity while traversing the internet. VPNs provide confidentiality by encrypting the data, authentication to ensure only authorized entities are communicating, and integrity by detecting any message modification. Now let's test your knowledge. A virtual private network secures communications when traveling over an insecure network. Explain the benefits of using a VPN. You can record your answer on the challenge worksheet.

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