Virtual private networks

One of the first means of establishing private links between arbitrary points on the Internet, virtual private networks (VPNs) were first created by SRI in 1994-1995.

VPNs can connect individual users to a remote network, or connect multiple networks together, while maintaining functionality, security and management policies of the remote network. For example, users might employ a VPN to connect to their work computer from home to securely access their email and files.