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A virtual private network is a technology that allows a secure and private connection on the internet.

Why do I need a secure and private connection on the internet?

A regular internet connection is at risk of being tracked, intercepted and spied upon which is a threat to the security and privacy of your internet activity and data.

How does this happen?

Your IP address
Every device connected to the internet has a unique digital address called an IP address which is used to help it communicate with websites and other devices. The IP (internet protocol) address is a unique series of numbers separated by decimal points that identify it (eg 198.169.0.100.), as a post code would a building.
Your IP address can reveal your general geographic location, it also carries the name of your internet service provider (the company that gives you internet access).
Websites and services can use your IP address to prevent you from performing certain online activities, such as blocking you from a forum or a game if you violate the rules. Your IP address can also be combined with details from other sources to piece together data about your identity.

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When you connect to the internet from a device on a regular network, the data you send and receive over your connection could be intercepted by hackers. If you have a firewall enabled in your router and on your device software, this risk is very much reduced, however, if you are using a public wifi connection, such as the free internet in a coffee shop or on a train, it's not difficult to hack into a laptop or mobile device that has no protection. All someone has to do is download a wireless network analyser, and with the right hardware and additional software they can often see what everyone someone is viewing online within that network (unless they are encrypting their network traffic). Without additional protection, if you use a public Wifi connection, hackers can read your emails, text messages, steal passwords, and even hijack your website log ins.

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A VPN is virtual because it's created digitally — there isn't a physical cable that reaches from your device directly to the VPN server.

A VPN is private because it encrypts your data and hides your IP address.

A VPN is a network because it creates a connection between multiple computers — your device and the VPN server.

Privacy and security

Many individuals (including hackers) use private VPNs as an anonymising tool to hide their IP address as they use the internet in order to bypass censorship, content block and regional restrictions. These type of VPN's usually have pre-configured firewall settings and allow the user no control over the boundary firewall. This is not compliant with Cyber Essentials.

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A site-to-site VPN is also called a router-to-router VPN and is commonly used in large companies. Organisations with branch offices in different locations, use site-to-siteVPN site VPNs to connect the network of one office location to the network at another office location.

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