If you want to protect your privacy, you need to know more about the different types of VPN protocols. IKEv2 and PPTP are two of the most popular types, but there are also several other types available. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of each and what each one means for your security. Lastly, we’ll talk about SSTP, which is not widely used yet.

1.   IKEv2

  • This new protocol was designed to use the IPSec authentication suite for secure communication.
  • Its main goal is to provide fast, efficient and secure connections by using the Diffie-Hellman key algorithm to secure encryption key exchange.
  • It is part of the Internet Protocol Security, a set of protocols that authenticate and encrypt all the data being transmitted over the network.
  • This protocol works perfectly for 3G/4G LTE enabled mobile devices because it ensures a quick connection reconnect.

If you’re interested in ensuring your security and privacy, you’ll need to choose a VPN that uses this protocol. Most commercial VPN services use OpenVPN or IKEv2, while some don’t offer it.

2.   PPTP

PPTP is a VPN protocol that was first implemented for Windows 95. This protocol allows users to connect to remote private networks, which are typically private enterprise servers in corporate settings. But despite its initial purpose, it soon outgrew its original use and has since become the basis for most VPN protocols today.

  • The PPTP VPN protocol is highly compatible with the most popular operating systems.
  •  It uses General Routing Encapsulation (GRE) to encrypt data and uses IP and TCP port 1723.
  • This protocol is compatible with everyday Windows environments and uses Microsoft’s MPPE encryption standard.
  • It also offers high speeds and low footprints, which make it a popular choice for small businesses. However, the PPTP protocol isn’t perfect. Its security is compromised when hackers manage to crack one session.
  • Another problem with the PPTP protocol is that it’s outdated. While it was once considered secure, security threats have made the PPTP protocol an outdated choice. While it’s convenient to use, using the protocol to protect your online data is risky.
  • SSTP
  • SSTP is a common VPN protocol that supports AES-256 encryption. This protocol is the most secure in terms of key length and is virtually impossible to break with brute force techniques. While SSTP is one of the most popular VPN protocols, it’s not the best choice for every computer.
  • While SSTP is the most popular VPN protocol, many VPN providers offer alternative protocols. Some VPN providers use WireGuard, which is lightweight and faster. However, this protocol does use UDP ports, which could be blocked by network administrators. In addition, SSTP is not compatible with every platform, which can limit its use. Despite these issues, SSTP is a great choice for Windows users.
  • SSTP is the most popular VPN protocol for your security. It’s easy to install and use, and it comes built into most Microsoft devices. This protocol offers military-grade encryption, making it nearly impossible to crack and decrypt it.
  • This VPN protocol is also very common, as it’s built into most Microsoft devices. It also offers encryption & authentication. And, it comes integrated in most Microsoft devices.

PPTP and SSTP are both relatively fast. However, they require additional configuration to bypass NAT firewalls. SSTP is also the successor of PPTP, and is included in Windows Vista and later. It can bypass firewalls and is faster than PPTP. However, unlike SSTP, PPTP and WireGuard, L2TP is not recommended for personal use.

wire Guard

4.   OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a common VPN protocol used to protect your Internet connection. It uses the OpenSSL library extensively.

  • This protocol also uses UDP and TCP for transmission. TCP is more reliable because it uses error correction and waits for confirmation before sending each packet, while UDP uses no error correction and is faster. Here are some advantages of OpenVPN and what it means for your security.
  • OpenVPN is a free, open source solution. This means that the community is constantly working on improving the protocol and smoothing out any glitches. There are numerous options for OpenVPN and its configuration is highly customizable. However, some VPN servers don’t support OpenVPN. The good news is that paid VPN services often provide guides to help you set it up and configure it.
  • As a result, you can be sure that the OpenVPN protocol is as secure as possible. This type of VPN uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to create a secure internet connection. It also includes device authentication. While OpenVPN can be difficult to install, most VPN providers are equipped to do it for you.
  • OpenVPN VPN offers the best balance of security and performance. OpenVPN is widely used by VPN providers to secure your connection and protect your data from hackers and spies.

5.   IPSec

If you want to increase your security and privacy online, consider using the IPSec VPN protocol.

  • This secure protocol uses a combination of key exchange and encryption.
  • The ESP mode encrypts data and prevents attackers from accessing it.
  • It also uses authentication and encryption methods to ensure the data’s legitimacy. It is also important to note that ESP is not supported by all VPNs.
  • IPSec works with the Diffie-Hellman and Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman cryptographic algorithms to ensure the security of data.
  • The protocol requires the establishment of two separate security associations, each with its own key and policy.
  • These associations are usually flexible and can be changed or revoked at any time. In addition, IPSec uses key exchange and authentication methods, which are both essential for security.

6.  WIREGUARD

WireGuard is an open-source VPN protocol that is faster, more efficient, and more secure than any other available VPN protocol.

  • This protocol uses modern cryptography to secure the connection and stays connected, even when the network is insecure or switching. Its code base is relatively small, less than 1% of that of Open VPN. It is free to download, and as an experimental version, it is recommended for low-security applications.
  • Wire Guard has a smaller code base than Open VPN or Open SSL. It only has about 4,000 lines of code and is easier to audit than other VPN protocols. Wire Guard is less complicated to audit and can be analysed within a few hours. It does have some limitations, however. For example, a user can’t connect to a server if they don’t have a password, and this can be a source of compromise.
  • WireGuard VPN protocol offers a variety of advantages over older protocols. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and network code to create an encrypted tunnel between two devices. Unlike older VPN protocols, Wire Guard works when IP addresses change, and you don’t have to reconnect every time you switch networks. This makes Wire Guard one of the safest VPN protocols on the market.
Rashid Ameen
Rashid, A blogger, online marketer, content writer, social media lover and an all-around digital guy. He started writing at a very young age and most of his skills and knowledge are self-taught. He moved into digital medium while doing a digital marketing and content training. Now, he shares his knowledge by contributing to different forums and platforms.
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