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A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates an encrypted connection between a device and the internet. It protects data from unauthorized access, hides the IP address, enables anonymous browsing, and bypasses geographical restrictions.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN works by creating an encrypted connection – also known as a ‘tunnel’ – between the user’s device and a VPN server. All traffic passes through this server before reaching the wider Internet. The data is encrypted before leaving the device, making it unreadable to third parties, such as hackers or internet service providers.
At the same time, the VPN server replaces the user’s real IP address with its own, so that the location remains hidden and it appears as if access is coming from the server location. The VPN server forwards the requests to the desired websites or online services and sends their responses back in encrypted form. Through this technique, a VPN provides security on unsecure networks, protects privacy, and provides access to content that is subject to geographic restrictions.
The way it works can be summarized in the following steps:
- Connection establishment: The end device initiates a connection to a VPN server, which can be located anywhere.
- Data encryption: Before the data leaves the end device, it is encrypted by the protocol. This encryption ensures that the data is protected from unauthorized access during transmission.
- Data transmission: The encrypted data is sent to the server via the existing network. Since the data is encrypted, third parties cannot view the content.
- Data decryption and forwarding: The server decrypts the received data and forwards it to the actual destination on the Internet: for example, a website or an online service.
- Return response: The response from the destination server is sent to the VPN server, encrypted again and then sent back to the user’s device, where it is finally decrypted.
What are the advantages of VPNs?
A VPN offers numerous advantages, particularly in the areas of security, privacy and access rights.
Privacy protection
A VPN hides the user’s real IP address and replaces it with that of the VPN server. This keeps the location anonymous and means online behavior cannot be directly linked to the user’s identity. This protects against tracking by websites, advertising networks or ISPs.
Security in public networks
On public Wi-Fi networks, such as in cafes, hotels or airports, data is often unsecured and can be easily intercepted. A VPN encrypts data traffic and protects sensitive information such as passwords or payment data.
Bypassing geoblocking
With a VPN, you can change your virtual location by connecting to a server in a different country. This allows you to access content that is restricted to certain regions, such as streaming services or censored websites.
Protection against surveillance
A Virtual Private Network prevents ISPs or authorities from viewing or storing all your data traffic. This is particularly important in countries with strict Internet surveillance or censorship.
Encryption of data
A VPN encrypts data transferred between the device and the VPN server. This protects all Internet traffic, regardless of which websites or services are used.
Bypassing censorship
In countries with restricted Internet access, a VPN enables access to blocked websites and social media by rerouting traffic through servers in other countries.
Secure access to corporate networks
For businesses, a VPN is an important tool for providing employees with secure access to internal networks, especially when working remotely.
What types of VPNs are there?
There are different types of VPNs that are used depending on the purpose and technical requirements.
- Remote access VPN (end-to-site VPN): Enables individuals to access a private network securely over the Internet. It is often used by employees who need to access company resources from outside the office.
- Site-to-site VPN: Connects entire networks with each other, such as the networks of different company locations. This facilitates communication and data exchange between geographically distant offices.
- Personal VPN: Used by individuals to secure their own Internet connection, protect privacy and bypass geographical restrictions. It encrypts data traffic and hides the user’s IP address.
- Mobile VPN: Designed for mobile devices to maintain a stable and secure connection even when the network connection changes or is interrupted. Ideal for users who frequently switch between different networks.
- Cloud VPN: Enables secure access to cloud-based resources and services. Organizations use cloud VPNs to enable their employees to access applications and data in the cloud securely.
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What are the VPN protocols?
There are several VPN protocols that differ in terms of security, speed, and their areas of application.
- OpenVPN: An open-source protocol that supports both TCP and UDP connections. It is considered to be very secure and flexible, but tends to be more complex to set up.
- WireGuard: A modern, lightweight protocol known for its high speed and ease of implementation. It uses up-to-date encryption standards and is increasingly supported by VPN providers.
- IKEv2/IPSec (Internet Key Exchange Version 2): Provides a stable and secure connection, especially for mobile devices, as it handles network changes well. However, it is not as widely used as OpenVPN.
- L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol): Combines L2TP with the IPSec security protocol. It offers moderate security, but can be blocked by firewalls and is often slower than other protocols.
- PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): One of the oldest VPN protocols with high speed, but classified as insecure and therefore no longer recommended.
- SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol): A protocol developed by Microsoft that uses SSL/TLS for encryption. It is well integrated into Windows systems, but less flexible on other platforms.
Protocols are crucial to the functioning of a VPN. They determine how data is transmitted and secured between a device and the VPN server. VPN applications use these protocols to establish a stable, encrypted tunnel to a server, thereby concealing the IP address and browsing activity.
The choice of VPN protocol has a significant impact on the security, speed and stability of the connection. Some protocols offer higher encryption standards and are therefore more secure, while others are optimized for speed. For example, OpenVPN is known for its high security, while WireGuard is valued for fast connections.
What should you look for when choosing a VPN service?
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a Virtual Private Network service. First, it’s a good idea to choose a provider with strong encryption protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard, as these are considered to be particularly secure. Equally important is a strict no-log policy that ensures no user data is stored. Independent audits can confirm compliance with this policy.
A comprehensive network with servers in many countries enables access to geographically restricted content and ensures stable connections. Fast connections are essential for streaming, gaming and general surfing. Some providers offer special servers for these purposes.
Compatibility with different devices and operating systems, as well as user-friendly applications, are further important criteria. Reliable and accessible customer service, ideally 24/7, can be helpful in the event of problems or questions.
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