What is a VPN and How Does it Work?

Sometimes being on the internet feels like just being constantly hit over the head with VPN adverts. I should know, I’ve spent the last month writing VPN content and doing my fair share of research. The thing is though, they are important. We’re not trying to belabor any point, it’s just that they are super useful bits of kit that can keep you safe and protect your privacy online at a small monthly cost.

Understanding VPNs past this, however, can be a bit confusing. What on earth is DNS? How do IP Addresses work? A tunnel? What could that possibly mean? We’ve heard these questions before—I have pulled at my beard and wondered these questions myself—and also questions like “are VPNs actually safe?” There’s no doubt people who are new to the world of VPNs may wonder why and how to use a VPN. The jargon around them can make them seem inaccessible to people who just want an extra layer of security online, so here’s everything you actually need to know about VPNs to make some sense of it all.

Jump to:

• How VPNs Work
• VPN Benefits
• History of VPNs
• Best VPNs

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a crucial cybersecurity tool and network technology that has gained significant popularity in recent years. It is a system that enables users to create a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network. The primary purpose of a VPN is to protect and secure the data transmitted over the internet, ensuring privacy and anonymity for its users.

At its core, a VPN works by routing your internet connection through a server operated by the VPN provider. This server acts as an intermediary between your device and the websites or services you access. All the data transmitted between your device and the server is encrypted, making it very very difficult for third parties to intercept or decipher your online activities. They prevent even your internet service provider from snooping on you.

“A VPN tunnels your internet traffic, masks your true IP address, and shields your data from third parties, cybercriminals, and snoopers.” – IPVanish

5 Benefits of Using a VPN

There are several key aspects and benefits of using a VPN, but here are the highglights:

1. Security: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it extremely difficult for anyone to pry on your online activities. This is especially crucial when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often less secure and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
2. Privacy: VPNs mask your IP address, making it challenging for websites, advertisers, and even government agencies to track your online behavior. This enhances your online privacy and anonymity.
3. Access Control: VPNs allow users to access geo-restricted content and websites by routing their connection through servers located in different countries. This can be useful for accessing streaming services, news sites, or other online resources that may be blocked in your region.
4. Bypassing Censorship: In countries with strict internet censorship, VPNs can help users bypass government-imposed restrictions and access a free and open internet.
5. Business and Remote Work: VPNs are essential for remote workers and businesses, as they provide a secure way to connect to a company’s network and access sensitive data from anywhere in the world.

While VPNs offer numerous advantages, it’s important to choose a reputable provider, as not all VPNs are created equal. Factors to consider when selecting a VPN include encryption strength, server locations, logging policies, and connection speed.

VPNs: A Short History

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have a fascinating history dating back to the early days of the internet. In the late 1990s, as the internet began to gain popularity, the need for secure communication channels became evident. The security for businesses online was threatened by hackers and cyber threats, which led to the birth of VPNs.

The concept of VPNs was initially developed by Microsoft in 1996, when Gurdeep Singh-Pall developed the PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol). It was primarily created so that remote employees could gain access to corporate networks securely.

One of the pivotal moments in VPN history came in the early 2000s when open-source solutions like OpenVPN and IPsec gained prominence. These protocols allowed users to establish secure connections without relying solely on proprietary software.

VPNs started as a tool for businesses, but their applications expanded rapidly. As privacy concerns grew in the 2010s, VPNs gained popularity among individuals seeking to protect their online activities from surveillance and data tracking. Simultaneously, VPNs enabled users to bypass geographical restrictions and access region-locked content.

Today, VPNs are integral to online privacy and security, with numerous providers offering services to individuals and businesses worldwide. They have evolved from simple tools into robust, user-friendly applications, providing encryption, anonymity, and accessibility to users across the globe. The history of VPNs highlights their enduring importance in the ever-changing landscape of the digital world, protecting users’ data and privacy in an interconnected, information-driven era.

How Do VPNs Work?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) operate on a complex combination of encryption, tunneling, protocols, and network infrastructure. In this in-depth technical breakdown, we will explore the intricate workings of VPNs.

Encryption Mechanisms

Encryption is the cornerstone of VPN security. VPNs use robust encryption algorithms like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to secure data during transmission. When you initiate a VPN connection, your device generates a session key for encryption and decryption. This key is exchanged with the VPN server using asymmetric encryption, establishing a secure channel for data protection.

Tunneling Protocols

Tunneling protocols are responsible for encapsulating data within the secure tunnel. Common tunneling protocols include:

• Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): It creates a PPP tunnel for data encapsulation, utilizing MPPE for encryption. However, it’s considered less secure due to vulnerabilities.
• Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP): L2TP combines with IPsec for encryption and authentication, offering stronger security. It’s widely used but can be slower due to the double encapsulation.
• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is an open-source, highly configurable protocol known for its robustness. It uses SSL/TLS for encryption and is platform-independent.
• Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2): It’s a protocol used for setting up a VPN connection, often combined with IPsec for encryption. IKEv2 is known for its speed and reliability.

Here’s how the different protocols relate to this tunnel analogy:

• PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): Imagine your data traveling through a tunnel with a simple wooden gate. It’s like having a basic gate that’s not very difficult to open for someone who wants to see what’s inside.
• L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol): Now, your data is in a tunnel with a double-layered metal gate. It’s like having an extra layer of protection, making it harder for someone to open and access your data.
• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is like placing your data in a tunnel with a high-tech, ultra-secure safe gate. It uses advanced encryption techniques to ensure your data is behind a gate that’s locked up tight, and it’s the most secure option.
• IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange Version 2): Think of IKEv2 as a quick and reliable locksmith who can set up a robust gate for your data tunnel. It’s known for its speed and dependability in creating secure gateways for your data to pass through.

VPN Client Authentication

Before establishing a connection, VPN clients and servers must authenticate each other. This can involve using digital certificates, pre-shared keys (PSK), or username/password combinations. Authentication ensures that both parties are legitimate and authorized to access the VPN.

VPN Server Infrastructure

VPN service providers maintain a network of servers strategically located in various regions. These servers are equipped with specialized VPN software and hardware to handle a high volume of encrypted traffic. VPN servers operate on dedicated IP addresses, and their locations are essential for users to choose their virtual presence.

Data Packet Encryption and Transmission

When you send data through a VPN, it’s divided into packets. Each packet is encrypted using the session key established earlier. These encrypted packets are then encapsulated within the chosen tunneling protocol, adding another layer of security.

Once encrypted and encapsulated, the data packets are transmitted to the VPN server. This process ensures that even if someone intercepts your traffic, they won’t be able to decipher it without the correct encryption keys.

IP Address Assignment and Masking

VPNs assign users temporary IP addresses from a pool of available addresses. These addresses are typically associated with the VPN server’s location. Your actual IP address is masked, and your online activity appears as if it’s originating from the VPN server’s region. This masking enhances your privacy and anonymity while browsing.

What’s an IP Address Anyway?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. These addresses serve two primary functions:

• Identification: IP addresses uniquely identify devices on a network, allowing data packets to be sent to and received from specific devices. Think of them as the digital equivalent of a postal address for computers and other networked devices.
• Routing: IP addresses play a crucial role in routing data packets across the internet or any other IP-based network. Routers and switches use IP addresses to determine where to forward data packets to ensure they reach their intended destination.

Bypassing Geographical Restrictions and Content Filtering

By connecting to a VPN server in a different geographic location, users can circumvent geographical restrictions and content filtering. This happens because your IP address is now associated with the location of the VPN server, granting you access to content and services that might be restricted in your actual physical location.

Enhanced Security Layers

In addition to encryption, VPNs often incorporate other security measures such as:

• Kill Switch: This feature ensures that if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, your internet access is immediately cut off to prevent data leakage.
• DNS Leak Protection: VPNs often route DNS requests through their servers to prevent your ISP from monitoring your DNS queries.
• Split Tunneling: This feature allows you to select which traffic goes through the VPN tunnel and which uses your regular internet connection, providing flexibility and conserving bandwidth.

Here’s how a DNS leak can happen:

1. When you connect to a VPN, your device is supposed to route all internet traffic through the VPN tunnel, including DNS queries. This ensures that your DNS requests are resolved by the VPN’s DNS servers, providing an additional layer of privacy.
2. However, in some cases, due to misconfigurations, software bugs, or other issues, your device may still use the default DNS servers provided by your ISP instead of the VPN’s DNS servers. This can happen because the device’s DNS settings are not properly updated when the VPN connection is established.
3. When your DNS requests go through your ISP’s servers instead of the VPN’s, your ISP can see which websites you’re visiting, potentially compromising your privacy.

VPNs are designed to protect against DNS leaks, and reputable VPN providers take measures to prevent them. This includes routing DNS traffic through the VPN tunnel and implementing safeguards to ensure that DNS requests do not leak outside the encrypted connection.

However, in the past, there have been instances where VPN services had vulnerabilities that could lead to DNS leaks. These vulnerabilities might include issues with the VPN client software or misconfigurations on the user’s end. Such leaks can pose a privacy risk if not addressed promptly.

What’s the Best VPN?

That’s a bit of an age old question in the land of the internet. The technology of VPNs has advanced so rapidly over the last few decades that people who might be in need of a VPN are spoiled for choice for service providers to choose from. On the whole, it depends on your budget, what you intend to use the VPN for, and how seriously you take your online privacy and security. Thankfully we’ve been busy breaking out the ultimate choices for 2023 overall, and specifically the top VPN for gaming. You can find a more comprehensive breakdown of the best VPN services, but for a quick look, see a shortlist of top picks from IGN:

ExpressVPN

Surfshark

Private Internet Access

Proton VPN

We hope you’ve gained at least some new knowledge here on VPNs. Before choosing one, think about everything you would like to do with it; stream sports from different countries on multiple devices? Game privately? Make your internet browsing more private overall? Make sure you pick the one that meets your priority needs while also considering the most secure options will not be free VPNs in the end.

Joe O’Neill-Parker is a freelance contributor for IGN, covering sports and tech. Before founding O’Neill Multimedia, he worked as an editor/producer for an international audiobook production company.

Author: Joe O’Neill-Parker. [Source Link (*), IGN All]

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