VPN
Definition
Virtual Private Network - creates a secure connection over the internet between your device and a private network, enhancing privacy and security.
Use Cases
- Netflix: Secure connectivity between corporate networks and AWS environments for internal access and operations — Uses AWS networking capabilities, including VPN-based connectivity patterns (commonly IPsec site-to-site) alongside other private connectivity options to securely reach VPC resources (Encrypted access to private services and administrative systems without exposing them to the public internet)
- Etsy: Secure remote access for engineers and staff to internal tools and services — Implements VPN-based remote access so employees can authenticate and reach private network resources as if on the corporate network (Improved security for internal systems by limiting direct public exposure and enabling controlled access for remote work)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS Site-to-Site VPN / AWS Client VPN
- Azure: Azure VPN Gateway
- GCP: Cloud VPN
- OCI: OCI VPN Connect
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a VPN and a proxy?
- A VPN encrypts your network traffic and extends your device into a private network (often at the IP level), so many apps can use it transparently. A proxy typically forwards traffic for a specific app or protocol (like a web browser) and may not encrypt everything end-to-end. VPNs are generally used for secure private access; proxies are often used for routing or content filtering.
- When should I use a VPN?
- Use a VPN when you need secure access to private resources over the internet—such as employees connecting to internal company apps, admins managing cloud servers without opening them to the public, or connecting an on-premises network to a cloud VPC/VNet. If you need consistently high bandwidth and low latency between sites, consider dedicated private connectivity (like AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, or Google Cloud Interconnect) instead of, or in addition to, a VPN.
- How much does a VPN cost?
- Costs depend on the type (client VPN vs site-to-site), throughput needs, number of users, and data transfer. In cloud providers, you typically pay for the VPN endpoint/gateway hourly plus data processing/egress charges. With third-party VPN appliances or services, pricing may be per user, per device, or per bandwidth tier, plus operational costs for setup, monitoring, and certificate/identity management.
Category: security
Difficulty: basic
Related Terms
See Also