Have you ever thought of how company employees are able to access their work files remotely? Well, most companies rely on VPNs to avoid data breaches. So, why use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? What are the different types that exist? And how do they work? In this guide, you will understand how VPN services work and when to use them.
Types of VPN Services
There are several types of VPNs out there. However, four of them are among the most frequently used ones. They are: remote access, mobile, personal, and site-to-site. Let’s look at each in detail.
1) Remote Access VPNs
Also known as client-based VPNs, they allow you to use the internet to connect to a private network. Meaning you can access all the services and resources you want remotely. For instance, you can connect to your company’s office network through the internet, allowing you to access all the company’s files you need. Through them, the internet is your main link of communication.
To keep your data private, VPN encryption comes into play as you browse from one network to another. Most private and home users use this type of connection to bypass geo-restrictions and access blocked websites. This ensures safe data transfers without undergoing data breaches. Additionally, you can also maximize VPN services to enhance your online privacy and security as you work remotely.
2) Personal VPN Services
These allow you to connect directly to a VPN server. Then, they encrypt your connection, hide your online identity, and enable you to bypass geographic restrictions. Though Personal VPNs sound similar to remote access VPNs, they differ. A personal VPN service doesn’t grant you access to a private network. It works by enabling you to access the public internet through an encrypted connection.
So, when should you use personal VPN services? When streaming online movies or games, you may come across “unavailable” or “restricted” notifications due to your geographical location. Using a personal VPN will allow you to access this content with ease.
To employ this connection scheme, you have to install software from your VPN service provider or install the VPN software to your router directly to easily block devices that try connecting to it. Additionally, for this VPN service, you will have to subscribe to a provider for a set of time so that you can use their networking services.
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3) Mobile VPNs
Mobile VPNs come in handy, especially for those without a reliable and secure connection on the go. What makes them better than a remote access VPN is that you do not have to stay in one location to access them. This means that, with a mobile VPN, you can remain connected whether you switch your cellular or WiFi network, lose connectivity, or switch off your device.
For instance, when you connect to your company network through the internet, your mobile VPN will encrypt the data as it travels through the public internet. So, even if you disconnect or switch your network, the connection will persist. You can use a mobile VPN with any device and connection. It doesn’t have to be necessarily on a mobile device.
Another thing is that people often confuse mobile VPNs with those mobile versions offered by personal VPNs. Well, personal VPN service providers normally have a mobile version of this service, which is downloadable directly to mobile phones. However, these are not mobile VPNs. Say, mobile VPNs are a form of business VPN that you can use to access your company’s network.
4) Site-to-Site VPNs
Just as their name suggests, site-to-site VPNs join two networks on two different sites. They are similar to remote access VPNs in the sense that they enable users to connect to a private network remotely. However, what this connection scheme does is combine a company’s network into a single one. Also, people often refer to them as network-based VPNs. Technologies such as Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) are used to implement this kind of connection scheme.
They come in two forms: intranet and extranet-based. An intranet-based connection is when the connected networks belong to the same company. Extranet, on the other hand, is when the networks connected belong to different companies.
Conclusion
From the guide above, it’s clear that choosing a VPN is more than selecting a single product. While some are designed for business connections, others work best for individual remote workers. This also means that the security features of these network tools may vary. So, when choosing one, ensure it aligns with your security strategy.
