What is a VPN connection?

A VPN (short for virtual private network) is a closed logical network in which the participants are spatially separated from each other via an IP tunnel. We'll explain exactly how this works here.

VPN connection simply explained

• With a "virtual private network", or VPN for short, you can access your private or local network on the go. This can be very useful both privately and professionally.
• This requires VPN software that communicates with the network router and is installed on the computer with which you want to access the network.
• A small application example: You are on a business trip and want to access the company network to call up a presentation there. You establish a connection to the Internet and then use the software to dial into the VPN network. Now you can work as if you were in the office even though you are hundreds of miles away.
• Advantages: With a VPN connection, you can use all services that can only be used in your private or professional network. Especially in companies, there are often programs that can only be used on the intranet. You can then also access these from outside. You also have access to all locally saved files. After your return, these do not have to be synchronized with great effort.

More about data protection & privacy: Anonymous and secure on the Internet

On 46 pages you will learn how to properly encrypt files on PC and in the cloud and to protect your privacy. In selected articles from the CHIP archive, we show how you can lock out data collectors and snoopers, how you can leave as few traces on the Internet as possible and how you give Google a private mode.

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• From simple instructions for beginners to professional tips, such as how to encrypt your Dropbox with OpenPGP, there is something for everyone.

This practical tip shows you how to set up a VPN server under Windows 7.