What Is a VPN Client/Server and Do You Need One?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs are used to protect your online privacy and security by encrypting your internet traffic and masking your online identity. VPNs work by creating a secure tunnel between your…

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March 26, 2024

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs are used to protect your online privacy and security by encrypting your internet traffic and masking your online identity.

VPNs work by creating a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server. All your internet traffic is routed through this tunnel, which makes it difficult for anyone to intercept or steal your data. VPNs also hide your IP address, making it difficult for third parties to track your online activities.

VPN on MAC — Photo by Stefan Coders on Pexels.com

There are several types of VPNs, including remote access VPNs, site-to-site VPNs, and mobile VPNs. Remote access VPNs allow users to connect to a private network from anywhere in the world. Site-to-site VPNs connect two or more networks together, while mobile VPNs are designed for use on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

VPNs are commonly used by businesses to provide remote workers with secure access to company resources. They are also used by individuals who want to protect their online privacy and security, bypass internet censorship, or access geo-restricted content. These are the common uses of VPN today:

Personal VPN: Individual connects via a VPN server to the internet.
Mobile VPN: Individual connects to the internet via a private network.
Remote access VPN: The user connects to a private network.
Site-to-site VPN: Private network connects to another private network.

Purposes of VPN, Why do I need VPN?

Personal VPN is a VPN service that is designed for individual use. It provides the same benefits as a regular VPN, such as online privacy and security, but is tailored to meet the needs of individual users.

There are several VPN services available that offer personal VPN plans. Some of the best VPN services for 2024, according to PCMag, include:ProtonVPN: Offers multi-hop connections and access to the Tor network via VPN, in addition to the usual VPN capabilities. It also has the best free VPN subscription we’ve yet seen. NordVPN: Offers a wide range of features, including double VPN, dedicated IP addresses, and access to the Onion network. Surfshark VPN: Offers unlimited simultaneous connections and is compatible with a wide range of devices. TunnelBear VPN: Offers a user-friendly interface and is ideal for first-time VPN users. ExpressVPN: Offers a large number of servers in multiple countries and is ideal for global location spoofers. I hope this helps!

Mobile VPN is a VPN service that is designed for use on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It provides the same benefits as a regular personal VPN, such as online privacy and security, but is tailored to meet the needs of mobile users. Most of the mentioned services above offer the mobile VPN type.

Remote access VPN is a type of VPN that allows remote workers to securely connect to a private network from anywhere in the world. It works by creating a secure tunnel between the remote worker’s device and the company’s network. Once connected, the remote worker can access the resources on the network just as if their device was physically plugged in at the office. Most of the mentioned services above offer the remote access VPN type.

Site-to-Site VPN is a type of VPN that allows multiple networks to securely communicate with each other over the internet. It is typically used by businesses that have multiple offices in different locations and need to share resources between them.

Site-to-Site VPNs work by creating a secure tunnel between the two networks, allowing data to be transmitted securely between them. This is achieved by encrypting the data that is transmitted between the networks, making it difficult for anyone to intercept or steal the data. Some of the best Site-to-Site VPN services for 2024, according to Fortinet, include: Fortinet Secure SD-WAN: Offers a comprehensive security solution that includes Site-to-Site VPN capabilities. Cisco Meraki: Offers a cloud-managed networking solution that includes Site-to-Site VPN capabilities. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall: Offers a range of security features, including Site-to-Site VPN capabilities.

Why do we need to use this? Good question. Using it is necessary for several reasons:

VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your online identity, which helps protect your online privacy and security.
VPNs also allow you to bypass internet censorship and access geo-restricted content.
VPNs are especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, as these networks are often unsecured and can be easily hacked by cybercriminals.
VPNs can also help protect your personal information from being intercepted by third parties, such as your internet service provider (ISP).
In addition, VPNs are commonly used by businesses to provide remote workers with secure access to company resources.
They are also used by individuals who want to protect their online privacy and security, bypass internet censorship, or access geo-restricted content.

Advantages of Using VPN

There are several advantages of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your online identity, which helps protect your online privacy and security. It also allow you to bypass internet censorship and access geo-restricted content.

VPNs are especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, as these networks are often unsecured and can be easily hacked by cybercriminals. VPNs can also help protect your personal information from being intercepted by third parties, such as your internet service provider (ISP).

In addition, VPNs are commonly used by businesses to provide remote workers with secure access to company resources. They are also used by individuals who want to protect their online privacy and security, bypass internet censorship, or access geo-restricted content.

How To Setup a VPN?

Setting up one is a straightforward process. Following these easy steps gets you to your security goal:

Choose a provider: There are several providers available, each with its own features and pricing plans. Some of the best services for 2024, according to PCMag, include ProtonVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, TunnelBear VPN, and ExpressVPN.
Download and install the software: Once you have chosen a provider, download and install the software on your device. Most providers offer software for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
Create an account: After installing the software, create an account with the provider. This will allow you to log in to the software and connect to the server.
Connect to a VPN server: Once you have created an account, open the software and connect to a server. Most providers offer several servers located in different countries. Choose a server that is closest to your location for the best performance.
Verify your connection: After connecting to a server, verify that your connection is secure by checking your IP address. You can use a website like whatismyip.com to check your IP address. If the IP address displayed on the website is different from your actual IP address, then your connection is secure.

VPN Protocol Types

There are several types of protocols, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common protocols are:

OpenVPN: An open-source protocol that is highly configurable and secure, widely supported by providers and considered one of the most secure protocols.
IPSec/IKEv2: A fast and secure protocol that is commonly used on mobile devices.
WireGuard: A relatively new and lightweight protocol that aims to be faster, simpler, and more secure than existing protocols.
SSTP: A VPN protocol that is primarily used on Windows and has solid encryption algorithms.
L2TP/IPSec: A VPN protocol that is the successor of PPTP, has a decent speed, but it is easily blocked by firewalls.
PPTP: A VPN protocol that is fast but has known security vulnerabilities and is no longer recommended.

And I think this is another whole thing to be explained, maybe in another one of these short posts but just to be aware of what’s coming.

But what’s A protocol? Think of it as a set of rules that governs the communication and exchange of data between two or more devices. In networking, protocols are like a common language for computers. The computers within a network may use vastly different software and hardware; however, the use of protocols enables them to communicate with each other regardless. Standardized protocols are like a common language that computers can use, similar to how two people from different parts of the world may not understand each other’s native languages, but they can communicate using a shared third language.

There are several types of protocols that support a major and compassionate role in communicating with different devices across the network. Some of the most common protocols include:

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): A reliable and connection-oriented protocol that is used for transmitting data over the internet.
Internet Protocol (IP): A protocol that is responsible for routing data by indicating where data packets come from and what their destination is.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP): A fast and connectionless protocol that is used for transmitting data over the internet.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): A protocol that is used for sending email messages over the internet.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A protocol that is used for transferring files over the internet.
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP): A protocol that is used for transmitting data over the World Wide Web.

Best VPN Clients with Free Plans

You can find several clients or softwares that offer free plans. Here are some of the best clients with free plans for 2024:

ProtonVPN: Offers a free plan with unlimited data and access to servers in three countries.

TunnelBear VPN: Offers a free plan with a data limit of 500MB per month.

NordVPN: Offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark VPN: Offers a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices.

ExpressVPN: Offers a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices.

It’s important to note that free VPN plans often come with limitations, such as data caps, limited server locations, and slower speeds. Paid VPN plans typically offer more features and better performance. If you’re looking for a VPN client with more features and better performance, consider upgrading to a paid plan.

Some Drawbacks of this protocol

Despite being very encouraging to use, some may see few drawbacks and bugs of using its methods. These points may be helping if you evaluate the process:

Slower connection speeds due to the encryption process and routing your traffic through remote servers.
Some VPNs are insecure and can do more harm than good.
Subscription costs for premium features and reliable security features.
VPNs are banned in certain countries.
Incompatible with certain devices.
VPNs may increase data consumption.
Some online services ban VPN users.
VPNs don’t protect you from malware or phishing attacks.
VPNs may log your activity, which isn’t ideal if your goal is to protect your privacy.

Can Hackers Expose VPNs?

A VPN can provide a secure connection to the internet that can prevent anyone from seeing your online activity and IP address, but there are many things it can’t protect you from. While a VPN can safeguard you against attacks that exploit network vulnerabilities (known as man-in-the-middle attacks), as well as DDoS attacks and other remote attacks, it will not protect you from most forms of malware, social engineering (including phishing) and attacks exploiting software vulnerabilities.

Although top VPNs provide bank-level encryption and many security benefits, a hacker can still access your VPN app, just like any other. For instance, in the case of a spyware attack or an exchange of username and password with anyone, a VPN wouldn’t be able to protect you. A VPN app could have a software vulnerability that an attacker can exploit, or it could have a server hacked.

It is important to note that VPNs are not a magic bullet for online security. You need to use a multilayered approach to fully protect yourself online, including using antivirus software, a password manager and two-factor authentication. Firewalls will be good too.