Let?s face it: the information age makes dummies of us all atsome point. One thing we can say for sure, though, about thingsrelated to the Internet is that their best strengths are often alsotheir worst weaknesses. This goes for virtual private networks(VPNs). They may reach a wide base ofcustomers ? but can also be vulnerable to viruses,hackers, spoofers, and other shady online characters and entities.VPNs may allow for super-efficient communication between customerand company ? but they rely on information which,if compromised, can cause huge losses. The Internet is still afrontier ? sometimes so wide open it leaves usbewildered ? and, like any frontier, the risks gohand in hand with potentially huge rewards. Virtual Private Networks for Dummies offers you ano-nonsense, practical guide to evaluating your company?sneed for a VPN, understanding what it takes to implement one, andundertaking the challenging quest to set it up, make it work, andkeep it safe. Whether you?re the resident expert leading theproject team, or you just want to learn what makes e-commerce tick,this detailed, from-the-ground-up guide will soon have youcomfortably conceptualizing: Security goals and strategies The evolution of VPNs Privacy in VPNs Extranets Remote-Access VPNs Funding Custom network solutions design Testing VPNs And more With new products and technologies offering supposedlyrevolutionary solutions to IT departments every day, this bookfocuses on the real world ? you know, the one fullof obstacles, mishaps, threats, delays, anderrors ? and gives you the background knowledge tomake decisions for yourself about your VPN needs. Written with adash of humor, Virtual Private Networks for Dummies containsboth technical detail (standards, protocols, etc.) and more generalconcepts (such as conducting cost-benefit analyses). This clear,authoritative guide will have you securely and cost-effectivelynetworking over the Internet in no time.