A Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) is a form of VPN that can be used with a standard web browser. SSL VPN requires client software installation, and is ideal for applications including web-based email, business and government directories, file sharing, remote backup, remote system management, and consumer-level electronic commerce.

When users have complete administrative rights over their endpoints and use a variety of applications, tunnel mode allows remote clients to access the local internal network as if they were connected to the network directly.