VPNs form a critical technology that ensures secure sharing of data on the internet. Only a handful can explain how a VPN works, even though most do have a basic understanding of its function and uses. Therefore, trying to gauge how a VPN works can involve technical terminology, making things confusing. This article gives you a peek into VPN tunneling – what constitutes the very foundation on which VPN technology stands.
VPN Tunnel Explained
A VPN tunnel is the encrypted link that connects your computer or mobile device with an outside network. A VPN tunnel (Virtual Private Network tunnel) shields your activities from invasive snooping. It secures you online and ensures your privacy.
Overall, the VPN tunnel refers to the encrypted connection the app creates.
Imagine an actual tunnel built from your device to the destination you want to visit. The data exchange happens inside the tunnel, and no one inside can see it. Additionally, the data traversing inside the tunnel gets encrypted. So, even if someone would use a virtual hammer to smash the tunnel, the data would be useless as it is encrypted.
The Method in VPN Tunneling
Encrypting the Traffic
A VPN encrypts the connection between your device and the internet, thereby protecting you from third parties snooping on you.
Hides your IP address
While using a VPN tunnel, your traffic is funneled to a VPN server that hides your IP address. With your IP address concealed, no one can identify your location online. This change also prevents IP-based tracking from happening.
Securing You on Wi-Fi Hotspots
Encrypting your data and hiding your IP address help ensure your security when you use public Wi-Fi.
A VPN tunnel is put to work after you get yourself a VPN service. More specifically, it is set up after youâve connected to the server desired. After this connection to the VPN server is set up, your ISP can see nothing of what you do online. Your IP address is hidden, while third parties get to see only the IP address of the VPN server. Your online privacy and security are therefore ensured courtesy of the encryption technology and hiding of your IP address.
A majority of VPN services claim that they strictly maintain a no-logs policy, which implies that thereâs no monitoring or storing of any data that can reveal your online identity or any of your online activity data. That said, you would do best to install a VPN from a reputable provider with a no-logs policy or one that carries out an independent audit.
The VPN Tunnel Protocols
Your online privacy canât be protected with the same effectiveness by all VPN tunnels. How strong a tunnel is typically depends on what type of tunneling protocol is used by your VPN provider.
The data encryption provided by some protocols may not be as strong as you would want them to be as they are outdated. Such a VPN tunnel fails to provide the desired level of security and privacy. You would therefore do well to install your VPN from a provider that ensures a strong tunneling protocol. Hereâs more on the top protocols.
- Offering superb speed and strong security, WireGuard is the best tunnel protocol on offer in the market. It uses superior encryption technology to protect your data. It comes with a lightweight code of only 4000 lines, which makes its auditing and implementation easy. WireGuard is also free of any of the shortcomings that are intrinsic to an old framework. Some of the best VPN supporting WireGuard are CyberGhost and ExpressVPN.
- Open VPN. This protocol remains the most popular tunneling protocol. With the emergence of WireGuard, its dominance is, however, under threat. However, Open VPN still offers excellent speeds and security while offering open source tunneling protocol.
- IKv2/IPSec. It is a robust protocol that many reliable VPN services equip. It guarantees the highest protection while also maintaining quality performance. This protocol also is great at reconnecting users when they lose their connection. Thus, it is a highly stable and robust protocol.
Conclusion
Your online security and privacy are paramount. Our article on VPN tunneling explains the practical details of the technology, so you know what goes into protecting yourself online. We advise you to download a VPN from a trusted and reputable provider for the best service with the best tunneling protocol. The provider must have a no-logs policy that ensures no monitoring or storing of your data. Keep yourself safe with a good VPN.
