A private network is a connection to a secure computer system that only a limited number of people and devices have access to.
What is a private network?
It is a critical medium for most firms for communication, collaboration, consumer involvement, and other purposes. However, some business owners may need to comprehend the difference between a dedicated private network and why their company might want one.
With many businesses and sectors now integrating technology and software to optimize processes and increase bottom lines, a strong and dependable internet connection is critical. If you access or share information on the public Internet, it could be intercepted by third parties if it needs to be adequately secured. On the other hand, a private network allows only the devices and applications granted access to the web to communicate with one another.
What is an example of a private network?
A private network is not connected to the Internet or other public networks. Here are some common examples:
- Office network: Office networks are typically private because devices on the web cannot be seen from the outside. Outbound internet connections are usually permitted, but they are restricted. An office computer can connect to an e-commerce site in the outbound direction. It will be denied if the e-commerce site attempts to make an inbound connection to the computer.
- Home networks`; Small networks, such as Wi-Fi networks, are commonly set up at homes to stream TV shows and movies, shop online, or work from home.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): A virtual private network encrypts internet conversations to keep them reasonably confidential and secure. For example, employees who work from home typically use a VPN to connect to the office.
- Data centers: Private networks are often used by businesses to run business software and backend services. For example, banking systems that conduct payments are unlikely to connect directly to the public Internet.
Is VPN and private network the same?
A private network is often administered on the premises where the network is utilized by utilizing a personal IP address that does not overlap its public address, and the hosts do not typically need to connect to the Internet.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) delivers private network services but is accessed remotely via point-to-point tunneling protocols rather than regular Internet protocols (IP). It is only accessible to users who have the necessary credentials. A VPN can store, maintain, upgrade, update, or otherwise retain information for the use of an entire organization or merely a segment of an organization (much like a private network).
Is my private network safe?
Keeping your private network safe depends on whether you own your Wi-Fi to yourself. Your Wi-Fi network serves as the hub for all of your connected devices. Ensuring your Wi-Fi is secure keeps other people from accessing it and protects your devices and data from prospective intruders.
A Wi-Fi network connects your computers, phones, and possibly even lightbulbs; your network must be as safe as possible. One way to ensure this is to ditch the default login information for Wi-Fi routers, which is well-known to many cyber thieves. Change your network name and password, and use 2FA to prevent unauthorized access to your network.
Conclusion
In a rapidly digitizing world, it’s critical to understand the networks that influence your daily life. While it may be tempting to use easily accessible and widely available public networks, they are not ideal if you are worried about privacy and security. A private network would ensure the highest performance while establishing a safe and secure connection.
