Let's face it: the information age makes dummies of us all at some point. One thing we can say for sure, though, about things related to the Internet is that their best strengths are often also their worst weaknesses. This goes for virtual private networks (VPNs). They may reach a wide base of customers -- but can also be vulnerable to viruses, hackers, spoofers, and other shady online characters and entities. VPNs may allow for super-efficient communication between customer and company -- but they rely on information which, if compromised, can cause huge losses. The Internet is still a frontier -- sometimes so wide open it leaves us bewildered -- and, like any frontier, the risks go hand in hand with potentially huge rewards. Virtual Private Networks for Dummies offers you a no-nonsense, practical guide to evaluating your company's need for a VPN, understanding what it takes to implement one, and undertaking the challenging quest to set it up, make it work, and keep it safe. Whether you're the resident expert leading the project team, or you just want to learn what makes e-commerce tick, this detailed, from-the-ground-up guide will soon have you comfortably 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 supposedly revolutionary solutions to IT departments every day, this book focuses on the real world -- you know, the one full of obstacles, mishaps, threats, delays, and errors -- and gives you the background knowledge to make decisions for yourself about your VPN needs. Written with a dash of humor, Virtual Private Networks for Dummies contains both technical detail (standards, protocols, etc.) and more general concepts (such as conducting cost-benefit analyses). This clear, authoritative guide will have you securely and cost-effectively networking over the Internet in no time.