Abstract: A system and method for a virtual private network (VPN) wherein some embodiments includes creating complementary stack layers on both a client and a server device. An application operating through the VPN establishes a socket level protocol for operation of the VPN such that an application communicates with a client socket VPN layer which, in turn, is coupled to a server VPN layer. Data is encapsulated in a private tunnel. Certain embodiments may provide for VPN sockets for each application allowing concurrent VPNs to operate on a single device.