The operating system you use—whether Windows or Linux—doesn’t determine why you’d need a VPN. Rather, the choice of OS may affect which VPN tools or clients you decide to use. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted “tunnel” over the public internet, allowing users to connect two private networks securely. In your case, this means connecting your home network to your office network, so you can access internal office resources remotely, as though you were physically on-site. This encrypted tunnel ensures that any data exchanged between your home and office networks is kept private and safe from interception, which is critical for protecting sensitive information.
Regardless of the OS, this basic VPN functionality—providing a secure bridge across the internet between networks—remains consistent. The choice of operating system, however, might affect the how in terms of configuration and ease of access to specific VPN clients or tools. Windows and Linux each offer various native and third-party VPN tools that might differ in functionality, security protocols, and setup methods. For example, Windows environments in corporate settings might include specific VPN clients like Cisco Any Connect or a customized Active Directory configuration, while Linux users often favor tools like Open-VPN or Wire Guard for flexibility and customization.