VPN: Would Like To Learn The Basics

I'd be grateful if you could point me to a source that would explain the basics of VPN. Keep in mind that I wouldn't know a VPN from a fork and a knife, so it has to be simple. Just beginning to think about this as a way to gain security . . . but maybe the consensus of the forum is that it is not necessary?

Thanks.

I would first suggest that you read this Wikipedia article on VPN (Virtual Private Network). Once you have a basic understanding from that article, we can discuss the question of whether you should use it or not and why and why nots.

It is always best to first do some research on your own before just being given information. Learning and fish and all that.