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| Unlocking the power of VPNs. |
What is VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
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In today's world, internet connectivity is readily available, with even children being able to access information and entertainment through their mobile phones. The internet serves purposes beyond entertainment, playing a crucial role in business and office administration. As time goes on, internet access becomes more affordable, offering faster connections without compromises.
However, not everyone is aware of the dangers of personal data theft on the internet. Cybercriminals and unsecured websites pose a threat to users' personal information, despite continuous updates to internet technology, including browsers, email services, providers, connection cables, and software, aiming to enhance speed and security. Cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities, using stolen data for nefarious purposes. Fortunately, these risks can be mitigated or completely eliminated by utilizing a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes a secure and private connection between two networks over a public network like the internet. Let's break down the meaning of each word in Virtual Private Network:
Virtual: Refers to things that are not physically present but exist in cyberspace or the internet.
Private: Represents something that is exclusive and not accessible to everyone. In the case of a VPN, it ensures the confidentiality of data by encrypting all information transmitted over the public network.
Network: Refers to a system of interconnected connections, allowing devices to communicate and share data securely.
Based on the above explanation, a VPN can be defined as a virtual, encrypted connection established on a specific network. When utilizing a VPN, all data transmitted and received by devices (such as mobile phones, laptops, computers, etc.) while connected to the internet goes through an encryption process to ensure its confidentiality. By implementing encryption measures, VPNs effectively prevent data theft and also protect the user's location and IP address. In corporate environments, VPNs are widely used to safeguard important or sensitive files from being intercepted and stolen over the internet.
When accessing a file, it is essentially downloaded from a database onto the device being used. This file is then transmitted through an internet connection. Without the encryption process, hackers can easily intercept and access the entire contents of the file.
VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, can be considered as a type of WAN (Wide Area Network). Apart from the encryption process, there are minimal noticeable differences between the two. Both VPNs and WANs are internet networks that can be accessed publicly, but VPNs offer a more advanced encryption process for enhanced security.
Users can access the internet seamlessly without any complications as the user interface in the browser remains unchanged. VPNs do not affect other functions, except for encryption, unless the user specifically utilizes the browser's "location" detection feature.
Exploring the Four Types of VPNs
1. Personal VPN services
2. Mobile VPNs
3. Remote access VPNs
4. Site-to-site VPNs
Personal VPN services
The first VPN type is the personal VPN, and this is probably the most common VPN that you know about, including such names as ExpressVPN.
Personal VPNs hide your personal IP address from your internet service provider, or ISP, when your internet connection is from your home computer through the VPN server.
Mobile VPNs
As the name suggests, mobile VPNs are used on mobile devices like iOS or Android. This type of VPN works whether you are on your own wi-fi or public Wi-Fi or if you need encrypted protection for other kinds of cellular public network connections.
Remote access VPNs
The third VPN type is the remote access VPN. This is used for connecting to private networks. For example, a company makes its own private network, and the employees can access this remote network via a remote VPN when they are not in the office or on company premises.
Site-to-site VPNs
The fourth and final type of VPN we are discussing here is site-to-site VPN use.
This is for establishing a secure connection between two networks instead of routing an individual IP address to the internet or connecting multiple LANs to a single network. It is common, for example, to link two offices of the same company or two campuses of the same university.
VPN SERVERS
1. OpenVPN
2. PPTP VPN
3. L2TP VPN
4. OpenSSH
5. V2Ray
6. VMess + WebSockets
7. VLess + WebSockets
8. VLess + TCP
9. VLess + TCP + TLS
10. Shadowsocks
11. Trojan
12. SSH
HOW DOES VPN WORK
A VPN operates by establishing a network within a network, often referred to as tunneling. The goal of tunneling is to create a secure and private connection by utilizing existing network infrastructure. Typically, when we access websites on the internet, we connect through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). All data traffic, including our website requests, passes through the ISP server, making it visible to the ISP. However, when using a VPN to access the internet, the data is encrypted, ensuring that our data, such as search history, remains anonymous.
In understanding how a VPN works:
1. ISPs are unaware of a VPN user's internet activity.
2. The visible IP address is that of the VPN server.
3. Public WiFi hotspots are safer due to data encryption.
TYPES OF VPN PROTOCOLS
There are different types of VPN Protocols. With these VPN Protocols, different types of security can be provided. What are these VPN Protocols? These are :
- - Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)
- - Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)
- - Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
- - SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)
- - Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2)
- - Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- - OpenVPN
- - Secure Shell (SSH)
- - MPLS VPN
- - Hybrid VPN
1. Internet Protocol Security (IPSec): It is a widely adopted protocol suite used to secure IP communications. IPSec operates at the network layer of the OSI model and provides various security services such as encryption, authentication, and integrity.
2. Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP): L2TP is a tunneling protocol that allows the creation of virtual private networks. It provides a mechanism for encapsulating protocol data units (PDUs) from one network protocol within the PDUs of another protocol and can work over various network types.
3. Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): PPTP is another tunneling protocol that is commonly used for VPNs. It operates at the data link layer of the OSI model and supports multiprotocol traffic encapsulation. However, PPTP is considered less secure than other protocols due to some known vulnerabilities.
4. Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP): SSTP is a VPN protocol that uses SSL/TLS for secure communication. It is primarily used to establish VPN connections over the HTTPS port 443, making it useful in situations where other protocols may be blocked.
5. Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2): IKEv2 is a protocol used for setting up security associations, key negotiation, and establishing VPN connections. It is commonly used with IPsec to provide secure communication, especially in mobile networks.
6. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS): SSL and TLS are protocols that provide secure communication over the internet. While they are not strictly VPN protocols, they are commonly used to secure web sessions, including those used for VPN access.
7. OpenVPN: OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for secure communication. It offers flexibility and is known for its robustness and security.
8. Secure Shell (SSH): SSH is primarily used for secure remote login and file transfer. While it is not a dedicated VPN protocol, SSH can be used to create secure tunnels for encrypted communication.
9. MPLS VPN: Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) VPN is a technique used to create virtual private networks over a service provider's network infrastructure. It involves the use of labels for forwarding data packets, providing secure connectivity between different locations or networks.
10. Hybrid VPN: Hybrid VPN refers to a combination of multiple VPN protocols or technologies to provide enhanced security, flexibility, or performance. It could involve using multiple protocols simultaneously or dynamically selecting the best protocol based on network conditions.
These are just brief explanations, and each protocol has its own unique features and uses. If you have any further questions or need more specific information about any of these protocols, feel free to ask.
USES OF VPNS
VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, offers several important benefits that make it a valuable tool in today's digital world. Here are a few key reasons why we need VPNs:
1. Enhanced Security and Privacy: One of the main reasons people use VPNs is to enhance their online security and privacy. When you connect to a VPN, it creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. This encryption ensures that your data is protected from potential eavesdropping, hacking, or surveillance. It is especially crucial when using public Wi-Fi networks, as VPNs help prevent unauthorized access to your personal information.
2. Protecting Sensitive Data: VPNs are particularly valuable when it comes to protecting sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial transactions, or personal data. By encrypting your internet traffic, VPNs help ensure that your data remains confidential and cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.
3. Bypassing Censorship and Geographic Restrictions: VPNs allow you to bypass restrictions imposed by your internet service provider (ISP), government, or other entities. In countries with strict internet censorship or content blocking, VPNs enable users to access blocked websites and services by masking their IP address and routing their traffic through servers located in different countries. Additionally, VPNs can help circumvent geographic restrictions on streaming platforms, allowing users to access content that may be restricted in their region.
4. Anonymous and Private Browsing: VPNs enable anonymous and private browsing by hiding your real IP address and replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to. This makes it more challenging for websites, advertisers, or other organizations to track your online activities. With a VPN, your browsing history becomes more private, as your internet traffic is routed through the VPN server, and your actual location and identity are concealed.
5. Remote Access and Secure Connection: VPNs also play a critical role in enabling secure remote access to corporate networks. By connecting to a VPN, employees can securely access company resources, files, or internal systems while working from outside the office. This is especially important when accessing sensitive information or when connecting to untrusted networks.
6. P2P File Sharing and Torrenting: VPNs are often used for peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and torrenting activities. They provide a layer of anonymity and help protect the privacy of those involved in file sharing. VPNs can help prevent your IP address from being exposed to other participants, reducing the risk of potential legal consequences or monitoring by copyright holders.
These are just a few reasons why VPNs have become increasingly popular and necessary in today's digital age. It's important to choose a reliable and reputable VPN provider to ensure the highest level of security and privacy. I hope this answers your question! If you have any more queries, feel free to ask.