SSL VPN or Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network is a type of VPN that works with a standard web browser. Unlike the regular Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) VPN, an SSL VPN doesn’t need you to install a dedicated client software on the computer. With an SSL VPN, remote users get access to web applications, client/server applications and internal network connections. A VPN provides a secure communication system to transfer data between two points. An SSL VPN has one or more VPN devices to which the user can connect using their web browser. The traffic that goes between the web browser and the SSL VPN device is encrypted with the SSL protocol or TLS, Transport Layer Security.
An SSL VPN stands out for its simplicity, ease of use and for offering greater control to users. It works on a variety of devices and allows you to access resources from multiple locations. The main types of SSL VPNs are SSL Portal VPN and SSL Tunnel VPN. We take a closer look at each of them below.
SSL Portal VPN
This kind of SSL VPN lets a web browser acces multiple network services securely. The options include not web-based protocols and applications through a tunnel that runs under SSL. SSL tunnel VPNs require that the web brwoser can manage active content so that they can provide functionality that can’t be accessed to SSL portal VPNs. The active content includes options like Java, Active X, JavaScript and Flash applications or plug-in.
