Secure intranet access

A method for providing access to a secure network, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request for access to a target server which is within the secure network, the access request having been made by a user outside the secure network;
• forming a secure sockets layer connection between the user and a border server which is within the secure network;
• using the secure sockets layer connection and a user authentication system of the secure network to authenticate the user to the secure network;
• modifying data by replacing non-secure uniform resource locators in the data with corresponding secure uniform resource locators which promote continued use of secure sockets layer communication;
• and
• transmitting the modified data to the user over a secure sockets layer connection.

A computer storage medium having a configuration that represents data and instructions which will cause performance of method steps for providing access to a secure network, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at a target server which is within the secure network a request for access to the target server, the access request having been made by a user outside the secure network;
• redirecting the request to a border server which is within the secure network;
• forming a secure connection between the user and the border server, the secure connection utilizing at least a transport layer protocol and lower level protocols, security in the connection being provided at least by encryption performed above the transport layer protocol;
• using the secure connection and a user authentication system of the secure network to authenticate the user to the secure network;
• modifying data by replacing non-secure uniform resource locators in the data with corresponding secure uniform resource locators which promote continued use of secure communication;
• and
• transmitting the modified data to the user over a secure connection.