Providing secure network access in a networked client device. A client device is provided with a secure connection adapter. In operation, the secure connection adapter detects the network environment of the client device and determines of the network environment is trusted or untrusted. If the client device is operating in an untrusted network environment, the secure connection adapter establishes a secure connection to an enterprise host using a secure tunnel such as IPSec, SSL, or other secure connection. Programs executing on the client device now operate in the secure network environment, with all network activity routed through the secure connection to the enterprise. Optionally, a split tunnel mechanism may be used to direct some network traffic directly to the Internet from the client device.