What is a VPN Server? How does VPN Sever Work

If you have ever used a VPN service, you might have asked yourself, “What exactly is a VPN server and how does it work?” at least once when scrolling through the list of VPN servers. Getnada has prepared all the answers you need in this article to help you gain more information about VPN servers.

What is a VPN Sever

A VPN server is either a physical or virtual server designed to provide VPN services to users around the globe. This server integrates VPN hardware and software to enable VPN clients to connect to a secure private network. Unlike typical servers, a VPN server generally features a greater number of both logical and physical communication ports.

What is a VPN connection? Types of VPN and how does it work

Why Is a VPN Server Important?

When you typically connect to a website on the Internet, all your outgoing and incoming traffic passes through your ISP. Since this data is in an unencrypted, readable format, your ISP, along with hackers, surveillance agencies, and advertisers, can monitor your online activities.

Furthermore, because your real IP address and geographic location are visible on the web, almost anyone can use that information to learn various details about you, such as your country, city, and ISP. Essentially, without a VPN server, you are highly vulnerable online, facing significant privacy breaches and the risks of data and identity theft.

How Does a VPN Server Work?

The entire process begins when you run a VPN client. It connects you to the VPN server and starts routing your traffic through your ISP to the server. However, this time, all your data is encrypted by the VPN protocols configured on the server, meaning your ISP (or anyone else) cannot monitor it.

When the VPN server receives the encrypted data, it decrypts it and forwards it to the intended web server. Then, the VPN server encrypts the data it receives from that web server and sends it back to you via your ISP. Once the data arrives on your device, the VPN client decrypts it for you.

To better visualize how it all functions, think of a “tunnel” established between the VPN client and the VPN server. Any data passing through this tunnel is encrypted, making it unreadable to anyone outside of it.

Another benefit of using a VPN server is that it hides your IP address and replaces it with its own. This helps conceal your geo-location on the Internet, providing you with enhanced privacy and enabling you to bypass geo-restrictions and firewalls.

What Is VPN Server Software?

VPN server software enables a server to provide VPN services to users. Developed by VPN protocol developers, this software is installed on the server. It not only manages client/server communications and the server’s network and hardware components but also adds security features that allow the server to encrypt and decrypt connection requests and incoming data.

Additionally, VPN server software employs VPN protocols to encrypt user data and traffic. Typically, multiple VPN protocols are utilized to give users more control over their connections. Here are some of the most commonly used VPN protocols:

OpenVPN

WireGuard®

SSTP

PPTP

L2TP/IPSec

IKEv2

SoftEther

How Does a VPN Server Improve Your Online Experience?

First and foremost, a VPN server encrypts all data and traffic directed to your device, ensuring that:

Your ISP cannot monitor your online activities, eliminating the risk of bandwidth throttling or your data being shared with authorities or advertisers.

You are protected from mass online surveillance, safeguarding your privacy from agencies like the NSA or CIA.

Your personal data is secure from cybercriminals who might exploit network vulnerabilities, even on unsecured WiFi networks, to steal your credit card details, bank account information, and login credentials.