A VPN allows remote users to securely access a private network by establishing an encrypted connection over the public internet. There are three main types of VPNs: client access, intranet, and extranet. Security risks include attacks on the transmission line or stealing certificates and keys. To use a VPN, one needs OpenVPN software along with client and server certificates and a password. Additional security measures in OpenVPN include TLS encryption, larger RSA keys, larger symmetric keys, and hardening against DoS attacks and port scanning.