What Are The Different Types Of VPN?

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A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet. By using a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a private network, rather than through your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or public network, providing you with a secure and private online experience. This helps protect your online privacy, security, and anonymity by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic.

Different Types of VPNs

There are different types of VPNs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will discuss the different types of VPNs to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

1. Remote Access VPN

A Remote Access VPN is a type of VPN that allows users to securely access a private network from a remote location. This type of VPN is commonly used by employees who need to access their company’s network from home or while traveling.

Remote Access VPNs are also used by individuals who want to access geo-restricted content or avoid government censorship.

It allows you to connect to your company’s network securely from a remote location, such as your home or a coffee shop. It works like a secure tunnel between your device and your company’s network, encrypting all the data that passes through it.

This means that you can access all the resources and applications on your company’s network just as if you were physically in the office.

2. Site-to-Site VPN

A Site-to-Site VPN is a type of VPN that connects two or more private networks over the internet. This type of VPN is commonly used by businesses with multiple locations that need to securely communicate and share resources between sites. This type of VPN does not require to the installation of a VPN client software.

Site-to-Site VPNs use a gateway-to-gateway configuration, where each network has a VPN gateway that is responsible for creating a secure and encrypted connection between the two networks.

Traffic traveling from one site to another site passes through this gateway and the traffic delivered to the gateway at the other site is encrypted. The data is decrypted and sent to its destination through this gateway.

Once the VPN connection is established, the networks can communicate with each other as if they were connected through a dedicated physical connection. It’s a useful tool for companies that need to share resources, applications, or data between multiple locations securely and efficiently.

3. Mobile VPN

A Mobile VPN is a type of VPN that is designed for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This type of VPN is commonly used by individuals who want to protect their mobile data while using public Wi-Fi networks.

Mobile VPNs use a client-server model, similar to Remote Access VPNs. The user installs the client software on their mobile device, and the server software is installed on the VPN provider’s network.

The user then logs in to the VPN server using their credentials, and the server creates a secure and encrypted connection between the user’s device and the VPN provider’s network.

This connection allows the user to access the internet securely and anonymously, regardless of their location.
This type of VPN are used to access any kind of corporate resources, like emails, internal websites when the user is away from the office.

4. Personal VPN

A personal VPN, also known as a consumer VPN or individual VPN, is a type of VPN that is designed for personal use. It is usually used by individuals who want to protect their online privacy, security, and anonymity.

Personal VPNs are typically provided by third-party companies and can be accessed through dedicated software or mobile apps.

Personal VPNs encrypt all internet traffic between a user’s device and the VPN server, which provides an additional layer of security and privacy. They also mask the user’s IP address and make it appear as if they are accessing the internet from a different location, which can help bypass geo-restrictions and internet censorship.

The Types of VPN based on Protocols

VPNs can also be categorized based on the protocol used to establish the secure and encrypted connection between the user’s device and the VPN server. The most common types of VPN based on protocol are:

PPTP VPN

PPTP stands for Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, which is an older VPN protocol developed by Microsoft. PPTP VPN is easy to set up and compatible with a wide range of devices, but it is less secure than other protocols.

PPTP VPN uses 128-bit encryption, which is relatively weak compared to other encryption methods. Due to its vulnerabilities, PPTP VPN is not recommended for use in high-security environments.

L2TP VPN

L2TP stands for Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, which is a more secure VPN protocol than PPTP. L2TP VPN uses a combination of PPTP and the L2F (Layer 2 Forwarding) protocol developed by Cisco.

L2TP VPN uses 256-bit encryption and is more secure than PPTP VPN. L2TP VPN is supported by most devices and operating systems, but it may be slower than other protocols due to its double encapsulation.

IPSec VPN

IPSec stands for Internet Protocol Security, which is a suite of protocols used to secure internet traffic. IPSec VPN is a popular protocol for site-to-site VPNs and Remote Access VPNs. IPSec VPN uses strong encryption and authentication methods, making it a secure and reliable protocol.

IPSec VPN is supported by most devices and operating systems, but it can be more difficult to set up and manage than other protocols.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that is highly secure and configurable. OpenVPN uses SSL/TLS encryption, which is the same encryption used to secure HTTPS websites.

OpenVPN is compatible with most devices and operating systems, and it is easy to set up and manage. OpenVPN is a popular choice for users who prioritize security and privacy.

What To Look for When Choosing a VPN

When choosing a VPN, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that the VPN service you choose meets your needs. Here are some key factors to look for in a VPN before purchasing:

1. Security and privacy features: Look for a VPN that provides strong encryption and secure protocols, such as OpenVPN or IPSec.

2. Speed and performance: Check the VPN’s server locations and speed test results to ensure that the service is fast and reliable.

3. Compatibility with your devices: Make sure that the VPN service is compatible with your device and operating system.

4. Server locations: The more servers a VPN has, the better the chances of finding a server that’s fast and reliable. Look for a VPN that has servers in multiple locations,

5. Customer support: Choose a VPN that provides reliable and responsive customer support.

Benefits Of Using a VPN

Increased security: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, making it difficult for hackers, ISPs, and governments to monitor your online activities.

Privacy protection: A VPN hides your online activities and prevents third parties from tracking your browsing history, search queries, and personal data.

Access to geo-restricted content: A VPN allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your region or country.

Enhanced anonymity: A VPN masks your IP address and makes it difficult for websites, advertisers, and other third parties to track your online activities.

Safe public Wi-Fi: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and protects your sensitive data when you connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots, which are often unsecured and vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Some Common VPN Providers

There are several VPN service providers with different expertise and capacities throughout the world. VPN service providers come in both paid and unpaid varieties. Here is a list of some of the top VPN service providers, from which you may pick the one that best meets your requirements:

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the major VPN service providers in the VPN industry and is recommended the most. ExpressVPN is a bit more expensive than the other VPN provider but it possesses certain features and connection quality that is unmatchable.

Features

It contains more than 3000+ servers in 94 countries.
High-Speed Lightway Protocol- an expression customized protocol
Proves to be the one providing fast speed while streaming.
Privacy with AES256 Encryption
30 days Money back guarantee
P2P and Split Tunneling Feature
5 simultaneous connections at a time
Kill Switch
MediaStreamer – a streaming-specific feature for non-vpn supported devices.
24/ Support

Plans

1 Month Plan: $10.95
6 Months Plan: $59.95
12 Months Plan: $99.95

NordVPN

NordVPN is also considered one of the most popular VPN providers in the VPN industry. It’s a bit cheaper than ExpressVPN and provides good quality of connection and speed. Some of the features of NordVPN are mentioned below:

Features

It contains more than 5300+ servers in 60 countries.
High Speed NordLynx Protocol- a Nordvpn customized wireguard protocol- proves to be the one providing fast speed while streaming.
Privacy with AES256 Encryption
Automatic Kill Switch, P2P sharing, dedicated IP and DNS leak protection
6 simultaneous connections at a time
Zero log policy
30 days Money back guarantee
24/7 Support
Built-in Malware blocker
Privacy with AES256 Encryption

Plans

1 Month Plan: $11.99
12 Months Plan: $4.99 per month
24 Months Plan: $3.99 per month

SurfShark

Surfshark is also counted as one of the best VPN service providers. The key main features of Surf shark include

Features

It contains more than 3200+ servers in 99+ countries.
Supports protocols like WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
Internet Kill Switch and DNS leak protection
Diskless (RAM-based) servers & Double VPN
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Zero log policy
Privacy with AES256 Encryption
24/7 Support

Plans

1 Month Plan: $12.95
12 Months Plan: $3.99 per month
24 Months Plan: $2.30 per month

What Are The Different Types Of VPNs?