What is vpn? Or what is a virtual private network? Two questions that have become popular recently. We started hearing the word about the best VPN programs. And best vpn practices. And so on.
In this article, we will learn about what a VPN is and how it plays an important role in protecting your information and data online from various security threats.
Protocols used in a vpn connection
What are the most important specifications of a secure VPN service provider?
The most popular VPN service programs available
What is vpn?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which means virtual private network. It is a technology that provides an encrypted and secure connection over the Internet, allowing users to access various Internet resources while maintaining complete security and privacy. This is done by encrypting your traffic and hiding your identity, making it difficult to track your online activities and steal the data you enter and share. All this encryption takes place in real time, that is, while you perform your tasks online.
How vpn works
Browsing the web or making any transaction on public Wi-Fi is not safe, because it displays what you do online and your browsing habits. You may have registered your email address and password somewhere while you were online. Or you may have logged into your bank account online. Without using a VPN, you will have exposed your personal information so that if any hacker wants to access it, he will be able to do so.
Unless you use encryption for your data, you will be vulnerable to spying by strangers using the same network.
Here comes the role of a virtual private network that encrypts your data while connected to the Internet, which maintains the privacy of your data and activities over the network. This is done by sending your information through a secure tunnel to the VPN service provider you are using. This provider encrypts it and sends it to any destination you choose.
In addition, a VPN hides your browsing history from your ISP. This is done by making your web activity linked to the VPN server’s IP address and not to the public network server. Since VPN servers may be located all over the world, your IP address may appear to be coming from any of them.
Features offered by vpn
A virtual private network offers many invaluable features for a user who is interested in browsing the Internet in complete safety, without taking into account any possibility of data theft or tracking operations aimed at harming the user. Among these features we mention the following:
Secure Internet connection.
VPNs ensure that you browse the Internet safely by creating an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device that he uses to connect to the Internet, whatever it is, and the server located in a remote location. This tunnel ensures the confidentiality of data transferred between the user and the server. The encryption process also includes converting data into an incomprehensible form that can only be recognized using the decryption process. The encryption process is often done using an encryption key, while the decryption process is done using only the corresponding decryption key.
Anonymity.
Your IP address is a unique address, which your device uses to connect to the Internet. By tracking this address, any third party can track your activities online and then reach you and know your identity. While when using a VPN connection, your IP address is replaced with the IP address of the VPN server you are using. This makes it difficult to track your activities and determine your identity online.
Increase privacy.
Since a VPN prevents your online activities from being tracked, it helps hide your identity so that it appears as if you are browsing the Internet from another device and under a completely different identity. Thus, it guarantees your complete privacy when browsing content online and performing your various activities.
Access to geographically restricted services.
A VPN is an essential solution when you are unable to access a website, page, or application online due to your geographical location, especially since there are many services and sites that will be unavailable in your country. Any website or online service can infer the country you are using the Internet from by tracking your IP address, and if it is not on the list of countries that are allowed to access this service, you will be blocked and your access to it will be prevented. But with a VPN service that changes your IP address according to the country you choose, you will be able to bypass geographical boundaries and access any site or service you want and use it as you wish.
Business data security.
Most large companies use VPNs within the company or between the company and customers to ensure that their data and information are protected from interception and intrusion that may lead to fraud or electronic blackmail.
The most important specifications of a secure VPN service provider
When you choose a VPN service provider, it is not enough to rely on its existing service to hide your identity and browsing data. There are several side features to the service that need to be taken into account. Here are some important features:
Use a strong encryption algorithm.
The main feature of a VPN is to encrypt your internet connection, hence it is important to use strong and up-to-date encryption algorithms. So that the attacker, no matter how experienced he is in hacking operations, will not be able to decrypt the algorithm and obtain your data or know your identity.
Servers in multiple regions.
The ISP should provide VPN servers in different regions of the world, making the options for anonymity and bypassing geographical boundaries wider. In addition to ensuring a fast connection by increasing the possibility of having servers close to your area and avoiding Internet traffic congestion.
Kill Switch feature
If there is any interruption in your VPN connection for any reason, you will suddenly lose your encrypted connection and become visible, which may cause you to be banned from the service and lose the work you are doing, or even expose your identity and data to danger. Therefore, most hosting providers provide a Kill Switch service that completely disconnects your Internet connection if the connection to the VPN server is lost, preventing any leakage of your data.
No data logging policy
To maintain your privacy, you must make sure that the VPN service provider, which is the only one capable of discovering your data (since it is the one that encrypts it), does not record any data it has to trade or benefit from it in any way.
You may also be interested in: How to use a VPN on Windows and other operating systems
Additional protection technologies.
Any additional security technology provided by a VPN provider is welcome, as some VPN providers offer real-time malware protection for example.
In addition to these features, providing a free trial by the VPN service provider is necessary to ensure how serious the service is before committing to it. Good technical customer support is also essential to solve all the problems you face. Finally, make sure that the company providing the VPN service has a good reputation and a good history of protecting personal data and preventing leaks.
Protocols used in a vpn connection
IP SEC
It stands for Internet Protocol Security, which performs four basic operations during a VPN connection. These are encryption to protect the data, authentication to ensure that the two parties will exchange the data and to ensure that no third party joins. The integrity confirmation process ensures that the data is not subjected to any modification during the transfer process, and finally the redirection process, which allows data movement to be directed through safe and reliable paths within the network. Therefore, this protocol is used in VPN connection because it is highly secure. However, it requires significant processing power, which may affect the device’s performance.
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP/IPSec)
Layer 2 tunneling is used to ensure secure connections over the Internet and virtual private networks. Since L2TP does not encrypt data itself, it is coupled with IPSec. One of the most important features of this protocol is its support for various operating systems, in addition to its high customizability, as it allows the configuration of encryption keys and protocols.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL).
It is an encryption protocol that was used by VPNs in the past, and one of its most important specifications was its ability to stop certain types of cyber attacks, by authenticating websites. This is because the attackers were creating fake websites to trick users and steal their data.
Transport Layer Security (TLS).
As a result of the discovery of many security vulnerabilities in the SSL protocol, the use of the TLS protocol was developed. TLS provides security for various network communications, including email, web browsing, and virtual private networks. One of its important features is that it relies on digital certificates to verify the server’s identity.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
It is an encryption protocol for VPN networks. It was initially adopted and then overlooked for many security reasons even though it is compatible with all systems and easy to use. The reasons are due to its weak encryption and its inability to resist many security breaches.
Open vpn
It is an open source VPN protocol that is flexible, highly secure, and highly customizable. The transport protocol uses TCP or UDP. It is very commonly used.
SSH secure shell protocol
It is a protocol used to securely connect to remote servers and devices, and it has many positive features such as compatibility with different operating systems and tunneling that allows other network protocols to be encapsulated within an SSH connection. In addition, there are many developed versions of it. However, it is difficult to use and is supported by few services.
WireGuard
It is a modern and innovative VPN protocol. It is fast, efficient, and compatible with all major operating systems.
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP).
It is a security protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a VPN connection through SSL or TLS. It has many good features, but it does not work well on platforms other than Windows.
IKEv2/IPsec
It is a popular VPN protocol that combines two components: IKEv2 v2 for key exchange and management, and IPSec for secure data encryption. This protocol is known for its fast data transfer, stability and high security.
The most popular VPN service programs available?
There are many software available in the market, which provides a secure and fast connection.
You can get a comparison between the best VPN programs through the comparison provided by our website: The best VPN programs
Or here are the best programs that provide this service that you can use in your company, business, or even your own business.
CyberGhost.
It is one of the most popular programs. One of its most important features is that it allows a large number of simultaneous connections per subscription, which makes it suitable for companies or large families. With great additional services, complete security, and constant malware scanning. The large number of servers also provides high connection speeds.
EXPress software
Although it does not provide a free trial plan, it has many advantages. The first is great location spoofing options that reach up to 94 countries. It is also easy to use and has an easy and distinctive user interface.
Nord VPN
One of the giants of software that provides VPN services is Nord VPN. With countless features starting with multi-hop connectivity and Meshnet that provides different tricks to direct your traffic. In addition to static IP addresses, support for all operating systems and much more.
Private Internet Access program
With ad and intrusion blocking features, custom IP addresses, and support for all platforms. Private Internet Access is one of the most popular advanced vpn sites. In addition to the simplicity and ease of use.
Private VPN
It is also a popular program that provides a very secure VPN. It is considered one of the best programs for accessing geographically restricted websites, as it easily bypasses Internet firewalls in countries that impose strict restrictions on the Internet.
IPVanish
You can join through IPVanish’s free plan and learn about the unique features it offers. You can also start with a paid subscription plan from IPVanish’s competitive plans. IPVanish features more than 1,900 servers distributed all over the world. In addition to the anonymization tool (TOR), and the split tunneling feature.
Surfshark
It is also one of the options available when searching for a good program. Surfshark’s servers cover 100 different countries and can route traffic and operate split tunneling. In addition, it allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Atlas software
Atlas is one of the few programs that offers a completely free subscription, even if it is limited to monthly data. Atlas also provides the ability to pay for the subscription with various major credit cards, but it does not support the use of cryptocurrencies or cash purchases yet. Atlas also includes a data breach monitor, split tunneling, and more.
In our modern era, which has been invaded by technology from all directions, a VPN is considered the ideal solution for companies, institutions, and even individuals, to maintain the security of their data and online transactions. Therefore, a VPN is your protection shield on the Internet that makes your data yours only. Therefore, it works to protect our privacy and data from unauthorized intrusion. Thanks to it, we will be able to access the Internet freely and with confidence.
Therefore, whether you are protecting your personal information or your company’s information. A VPN is the perfect solution to keep your data and your customers’ data safe without fear of cybersecurity threats that can result in very large losses for any individual or organization.
