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How Many Types of VPN Protocols Do You Know?

April 19, 2017 Posted in VPN Education by No Comments

A VPN or Virtual Private Network (VPN) uses protocols to maintain the privacy of the user while they are using the internet. VPN is important when you are accessing public networks as it helps maintain anonymity. Here are 7 different protocols that VPNs use today to maintain security.

  • Point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP)
    The most common type of VPN that you will find in the market is PPTP. It requires no additional hardware and it can be activated with the help of basic software. The user uses the internet connection and goes through a process that is password protected in order to use the VPN. However, it doesn’t provide encryption and it uses PPP as security.
  • Layer 2 tunneling protocol (L2TP)
    L2TP was developed by Cisco and Microsoft and it is used to provide data integrity along with data confidentiality. L2TP is quite similar to PPTP as it also doesn’t provide encryption and PPP is used as security.
  • Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
    SSL makes a secure connection between the system of the client and the host that is being accessed. As it requires only a web browser, SSL doesn’t have additional hardware or software requirements. The protocol can be accessed through https. It is widely used by banks to for online banking and payment getaways.
  • IPsec
    IPsec functions by constructing a connection between the central site and the remote site. It is one of the most secure protocols available. However, the client has to install expensive installations at their end, which makes it a costly affair.
  • Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
    It is probably the most efficient VPN protocol available as it offers the high flexibility for site to site connection. It is mainly used by Internet Service Providers (ISP). On the other hand, it is slightly more expensive than other VPN protocols.
  • Site-to-Site VPN
    Site-to-site VPN is in fact very similar to PPTP but it doesn’t make a secure connection between the systems of the client and the host. It allows different sites of the same company to connect together to form a VPN. Routers are needed at both ends for both encryption and decryption.
  • Hybrid VPN
    A hybrid is a form of IPsec, SSL, and other VPN protocols. It is the most flexible VPN protocol that you can get on the market. The only downside is that it’s expensive.

VPNs have come a long way to providing remote and secure connections. Before diving in and splurging on VPNs, take some time to understand your requirements.

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