What is VPN (Virtual Private Network)

If you have been exposed to a VPN in the past, this description will be extremely over simplified. Not knowing who will read this, we have attempted to describe a VPN in terms that would give someone, who has no data processing background, a basic understanding of how a VPN can be used.

This description is in layman's terms. The hope is for you to understand how a VPN can be used in your operation without being forced to learn some technical jargon associated with the Data Processing industry.

First, picture two computers being hooked together with a wire. This would give you the ability to use files, programs, etc. on your own computer and also would provide access to files, programs, etc. on the other computer. Since only the two computers are connected, this gives you a great sense of security. Now, picture these same two computers in different locations (hundreds, thousands of miles apart) with a wire that still connects them and still gives you the ability to use files; programs; etc. on the other computer.

Of course, this is not practical. So what has happened is the world of the Internet. Connecting your computer to the other computer, via the internet, opens up security and privacy concerns. This is where the VPN becomes a viable solution to connect computers together and have them still act as if there is one wire connected to each computer. A VPN provides the use of the Internet, with similar security, as if you were connecting two computers together with a wire. The host (place where the files; programs; etc. reside) will have a fairly complex setup. However, the remote computer requires very little technical expertise to install the necessary software for accessing a VPN.

We know this extremely over simplifies the process, but what a VPN opens up is the possibility to use data, etc. on computers around the world with a tremendous sense of security.