A Virtual Private Network is a way of linking private and public networks, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots and the Internet, to add security and privacy. Corporations are most often using Virtual Private Networks to encrypt sensitive data. Nevertheless, the use of a personal VPN is becoming increasingly popular as there are more connections that were previously face-to-face Internet transitions. With a Virtual Private Network, anonymity is improved because the original IP address of the user is replaced with one from the Virtual Private Network provider. Subscribers can receive an IP address from any gateway town that provides the VPN service. You may live in San Francisco, for example, but with a Virtual Private Network, you may appear to be living in Amsterdam, New York or any number of gateway cities.
Why do I need a VPN?
- Hide your IP address
Connecting to a VPN often conceals your real IP address.
- Change your IP address
Using a VPN will almost certainly result in getting a different IP address.
- Encrypt data transfers
A VPN will protect the data you transfer over public Wi-Fi.
- Mask your location
With a VPN, users can choose the country of origin for their Internet connection.
- Access blocked websites
Get around website blocked by governments with a VPN.
Virtual Private Network Security
Safety is the principal reason companies have been using VPNs for years. Methods to intercept data traveling to a network are becoming increasingly easy. Firesheep and Wi-Fi spoofing are two easy ways to hack information. One useful analogy is that while on the device, a firewall protects your data and a VPN protects your web data. VPNs use sophisticated encryption protocols and secure tunneling techniques to encapsulate all transfers of online data. Without a firewall and up-to-date antivirus, most experienced computer users wouldn’t dream of connecting to the Internet. Evolving security threats and growing Internet dependence make a Virtual Private Network an integral component of well-rounded protection. Integrity checks ensure no data is lost and the link was not confiscated. VPNs are favoured over proxies because all traffic is secured.
Setting up a VPN
The creation of a Virtual Private Network is a simple process. It is often as easy as entering a username and an address that is disconnect. Virtual Private Networks can be build by the dominant smartphones using protocols PPTP and L2TP / IPsec. All major operating systems will customize the connections to PPTP VPN. OpenVPN and L2TP / IPsec protocols require a small open source (OpenVPN) program and download certificates, respectively.
Virtual Private Network Protocols
The number of protocols and available security features continue to grow with time. The most common protocols are:
PPTP – PPTP has existed around since Windows 95 days. PPTP’s main selling point is that it can be calibrate easily to any big OS. In short, PPTP tunnels connect point to point over the GRE protocol. Unfortunately, in recent years, the reliability of the PPTP protocol has been put in doubt. Always high but not the safest.
L2TP/IPsec – L2TP is safer than PPTP over IPsec, and provides more functionality. L2TP / IPsec is a way of putting together two protocols to obtain the best features of each. The L2TP protocol for example is use to build a tunnel, and IPsec provides a secure channel. Such controls ensure an impressively healthy kit.
Open VPN – OpenVPN is a Virtual Private Network based on SSL that continues to gain in popularity. The software used is open source, and is available free of charge. SSL is a mature encryption protocol that can run on a single UDP or TCP port.
