What is a VPN?

VPN is the abbreviation for Virtual Private Network.

VPN: Virtual Private Network

VPN is the abbreviation for virtual private network. While a classic private network functions via galvanically separated lines in routers and switches, a VPN is a virtualisation of this private network.

Devices within a VPN are "among themselves" and cannot be reached from an external network. This enables a secure environment, especially for critical infrastructure, such as security technology.

Via VPN, data connections can also take place securely over the internet. For this purpose, data packets are encrypted when they are sent, transmitted over the Internet in encrypted form and decrypted again on the recipient side. With wherever SIM , various VPN services are available on the platform side.

OpenVPN: Open Source for setting up the virtual network

OpenVPN was first published in 2001 under the open source licence. Put simply, OpenVPN consists of two components: The VPN security protocol and an independent software. Thanks to the open source concept, this is free of charge for anyone who wants to use it.

With this free OpenVPN software, you set up your virtual and encrypted network to a VPN server and use it to establish a secure connection to the Internet. This connection is also known as a "tunnel". Your own computer or the network-compatible device that supports OpenVPN can then be reached under the IP address of the server.