Everything You Need to Know About VPN Protocols
What Is a VPN?
A VPN service offers you a connection between the device you’re using to a remote server. The IP address of your device gets replaced with that of the server & all the data that is transferred seems to get a transfer from the remote server rather than your device. This makes you completely anonymous on the internet & you get the ability to browse the websites that are restricted in your region.
An Introduction to VPN Protocols
A VPN protocol watches the routing of data between your device & remote server. Different Protocols have various details. Some offer good security & anonymity whereas others are good at providing speed.
Below are the different protocols.
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OpenVPN
Its source code can be modified to fill the loop. It is one of the best & most secure protocols as it is a protocol. With OpenVPN, your data remains well-secured with high-end encryption, and a 2048-bit RSA authentication.
Besides providing strong encryption, it does not offer so good speed like NordLynx built on WireGuard. Do not go for it if you are into streaming videos. It is available for a wide range of devices such as Android, PC, Mac, etc.
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L2TP/IPSec
L2TP, being released after PPTP is one of the most-known protocols which itself doesn’t offer speed & security.
Services using L2TP are often mixed up with IPsec. The combination brings up high security. It has no room for an attack as it is protected through quality encryption.
With no chances of attack, it has some minor flaws which make it easier to find & block your web traffic.
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SSTP
SSTP is another well-known Protocol that comes integrated with Windows OS after its first service pack. This ensures more security as it uses SSL certificates to authenticate and military-grade encryption.
It supports OS like Windows, Linux whereas another OS support is provided by third-party clients.
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IKEv2
Being developed by Cisco & Microsoft, IKEv2 is another popular protocol. It is often bundled with IPSec for quality encryption. It also supports mobile VPNs too. IKEv2 is overall a good protocol but not better than open-source protocols.
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PPTP
Being one of the ancient VPN protocols, it is used in some of the regions but many have upgraded to more secure & faster protocols.
Being outdated, it is one of the easiest protocols to block.
Being not-so-secure, it offers great speeds that are ideal for people wanting to stream Netflix from a region other than the US.
If you are living abroad & want to access the international websites that are blocked, you can hide your IP address with a temporary one using a VPN.
For people living abroad, we have shortlisted some of the best VPN services according to their protocols.
Top VPNs That Use Reliable Protocols
The most popular VPN services are ExpressVPN, PureVPN & PIA VPN.
PIA VPN
PIA is a cheap VPN provider that provides many benefits such as anonymity and privacy while browsing online as the government authorities or in fact anyone will not be able to watch your activity. Using a VPN is completely legal as it helps in improving online security.
PureVPN
PureVPN is another great VPN service that offers you great speed and security at the same time. It is great for streaming Ultra HD videos in South Africa. Besides, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
It is one of the expensive yet leading VPN services which is offering great speed, security & service in addition to the 30-day money-back guarantee.
That being said, think well & choose the most trustworthy VPN according to your needs & budget.