Glossary
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN is like a private tunnel for your internet traffic. Normally, anyone watching the highway can see where you're going. A VPN puts you in an invisible car - your internet provider, hackers on public WiFi, and websites can't see who you are or what you're doing.
What is VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, hiding your online activity and masking your IP address. For businesses, VPNs allow remote employees to securely connect to company networks as if they were in the office.
Why Should You Care?
For businesses, a corporate VPN is essential for secure remote work. It encrypts data traveling between employees and company systems, protecting sensitive information from interception. However, VPNs are also a prime target for attackers - if they compromise your VPN, they can access your entire network.
Is your business exposed?
Real-World Example
A company allowed employees to work remotely using a VPN, but never updated the VPN software. Attackers exploited a known vulnerability to gain access, then moved laterally through the network, ultimately deploying ransomware that encrypted 500 workstations. The outdated VPN was the single point of failure.
How to Protect Against VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- 1.
Use a business-grade VPN solution for remote access
- 2.
Keep VPN software and appliances updated (attackers target these first)
- 3.
Require MFA for VPN connections
- 4.
Use split tunneling carefully - route only business traffic through VPN
- 5.
Use a personal VPN on public WiFi
NordVPN or Mullvad
- 6.
Monitor VPN logs for suspicious access patterns
Related Terms
Encryption, Remote Access, Two Factor Authentication, Firewall
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