A VPN (virtual private network) creates a secure tunnel across an untrusted network, usually the internet, so that traffic stays private and is protected from tampering. VPNs give organizations much of the security of a private WAN (wide area network) at the cost of ordinary internet connectivity. The CCNA distinguishes two main uses: connecting whole sites to each other, and connecting individual users to the organization. Most exam questions come down to recognizing which one a scenario describes.
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