What is VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
Turkish: VPN
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a device and a target network, protecting traffic and enabling private access.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a remote network or VPN provider. Traffic sent through that tunnel is better protected against interception and tampering, especially on untrusted networks such as public Wi-Fi.
How It Works
The VPN client authenticates with the server and then establishes an encrypted connection. IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard are common protocol examples. From the outside, traffic usually appears to come from the VPN server; the target system receives the request from the VPN exit IP.
SSL/TLS protects web sessions, while a VPN can cover broader network traffic. A firewall is a separate security layer that decides which connections are allowed.
Business Use
Companies use VPNs so remote employees can reach office networks, file servers, admin panels, or ERP systems that are not exposed to the public internet. Site-to-site VPNs create persistent private links between offices or data centers.
A VPN is not a complete security strategy. Weak passwords, shared accounts, outdated clients, and overly broad network access create risk. It should be combined with multi-factor authentication, device posture checks, and least-privilege access.
Related Terms
A firewall filters traffic between devices and networks using rules, allowing approved connections while blocking suspicious or unauthorized access.
Man-in-the-Middle AttackA MITM attack intercepts traffic between two parties so an attacker can read, alter, or redirect communication without consent.
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security)SSL/TLS is the protocol family that provides identity checks, key agreement, and encrypted data transfer between clients and servers.