Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Recent Administrative Restrictions

Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Recent Administrative Restrictions

#GS-3 #Science & Technology #Cyber Security #ICT #GS-2 #Current Events #National #Prelims #VPN #BNSS

Key takeaways

  • Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district imposed a two-month ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
  • A VPN provides digital data privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking the user's original IP address and geographic location.
  • The technology operates on three core technical pillars, which are Authentication, Tunneling, and Encryption.
  • VPNs are extensively utilized for secure remote working, cloud infrastructure management, academic database access, and protection on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Why in News

  • The local administration in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district has imposed a two-month ban on using Virtual Private Networks.
  • This legal restriction was enforced using powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

About VPN and Its Objective

  • A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a cybersecurity technology that creates a private and encrypted link over a public network like the internet.
  • It hides the real IP address and geographical location of the user to stop external tracking and keep data private.
  • The primary goal of a VPN is to secure sensitive data traffic from spying, illegal interception, and tampering while in transit.

Types of VPNs

  • A Remote Access VPN securely connects individual remote users to a private corporate network or cloud system.
  • A Site-to-Site VPN links permanent network setups located across different office locations together.
  • A Client-to-Provider VPN is a commercial service used by individuals to hide their location and encrypt general internet browsing.

How VPN Works

  • Authentication verifies user and device login details at the VPN gateway before granting access to the network.
  • Tunneling wraps raw data inside another transport packet through encapsulation to build a secure path across the internet.
  • Encryption turns normal readable text into coded secret text so that intercepted traffic cannot be read without a key.

Key Applications

  • VPNs let remote employees access internal office tools and databases securely without risking exposure on the open internet.
  • They connect physical company offices with cloud platforms to ensure safe multi-cloud operations.
  • Students and researchers use VPNs to access private university libraries and campus research databases from home.
  • They protect bank logins, personal passwords, and messages from cybercriminals on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.