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

Have you ever checked your bank account or entered your credit card number for online shopping while out and about? If you did this without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you might have inadvertently exposed your personal information and browsing habits to cybercriminals or other snoops on the same network.

Join Getnada to learn how to stay securely connected on the go and explore the different types of VPNs that can help protect your online sessions.

What is VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN runs in the background while you are using the internet, keeping you safe and protecting your privacy. It’s like having a digital bodyguard who’s always on duty, whether you’re at home, at work, or on public Wi-Fi.

When you use a VPN, it encrypts all of your data from the moment it leaves your device. Your information passes through a safe intermediate stage, known as a VPN server. This server can hide your private information. It can also pretend that you are logging on from elsewhere globally, which allows you to access geo-locked services. 

Using a VPN on your devices is very easy, whether you browse on a phone, tablet, laptop, or PC. Once you have configured the VPN, it will run in the background, protecting you 24/7. That’s why a VPN is an important part of a comprehensive online security solution.

Types of Virtual Private Network

Below are popular VPN types

Remote Access VPN

A Remote Access VPN allows users to connect to a private network from any location and access its services and resources securely. This secure connection over the Internet ensures privacy and safety for the user and the network. Remote Access VPNs are beneficial for both home users and business professionals. For instance, an employee traveling for work can use a VPN to securely connect to the company’s private network and access necessary files and resources remotely. On the other hand, home users often utilize VPNs to bypass regional restrictions and access blocked websites. Additionally, those concerned with Internet security use VPNs to enhance their online privacy and protect their data.

Site to Site VPN

A Site-to-Site VPN, also known as a Router-to-Router VPN, is commonly used by large organizations. It enables companies with multiple branch offices in different locations to connect their networks seamlessly. This type of VPN links the network of one office location to the network of another office location.

Intranet-based VPN: When multiple offices of the same company are interconnected using a Site-to-Site VPN, it is referred to as an Intranet-based VPN.

Extranet-based VPN: When companies use a Site-to-Site VPN to connect their network with that of another company, it is known as an Extranet-based VPN.

Cloud VPN

A Cloud VPN is a virtual private network that enables secure connections to a cloud-based infrastructure or service. It leverages the internet as the main transport medium to link remote users to cloud resources. Typically provided by cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, Cloud VPNs utilize encryption and security protocols, such as IPsec or SSL, similar to traditional VPNs to ensure data security. Organizations commonly use Cloud VPNs to securely bridge their on-premises resources with cloud-based resources, including cloud storage or software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.

Mobile VPN

A Mobile VPN is a virtual private network designed to allow mobile users to securely connect to a private network, often via a cellular network. It establishes a secure, encrypted connection between the mobile device and the VPN server, ensuring the safety of the data transmitted. Mobile VPNs enable users to access corporate resources like email or internal websites while away from the office and securely connect to public Wi-Fi networks, safeguarding their personal information from potential interception. Available as standalone apps or integrated into mobile device management (MDM) solutions, Mobile VPNs are frequently used by organizations to protect their mobile workforce.

SSL VPN

An SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network) is a type of VPN that utilizes the SSL protocol to secure connections between users and the VPN server. This setup allows remote users to securely access a private network by creating an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the VPN server. Unlike traditional VPN clients, SSL VPNs are generally accessed via a web browser, eliminating the need for additional software installation on the user’s device. This ease of use and deployment makes them highly convenient. SSL VPNs are commonly used to access internal resources such as email, file servers, or databases. They are considered more secure than traditional IPsec VPNs as they employ the same encryption protocols as HTTPS, the secure protocol used for online transactions.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) VPN

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) is a VPN protocol known for its simplicity and speed in establishing VPN connections. It secures the connection between two computers by encapsulating the data packets exchanged between them. PPTP is straightforward to set up and does not require additional software installation on the client’s device, making it convenient for users. It is often used to access internal resources such as email, file servers, or databases. Being one of the oldest VPN protocols, PPTP is widely supported across various operating systems. However, it is considered less secure compared to other VPN protocols like L2TP or OpenVPN due to its weaker encryption algorithm and known security vulnerabilities.

L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) VPN

L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) is a VPN protocol that establishes a secure connection by encapsulating data packets between two computers. As an enhancement of PPTP, L2TP combines features of PPTP and L2F (Layer 2 Forwarding Protocol) to provide improved security. It uses stronger encryption algorithms than PPTP, making the connection more secure. L2TP is fairly easy to set up and doesn’t require additional software installation on the client’s device. It is often used to access internal resources like email, file servers, or databases and is supported by a wide range of operating systems. However, while more secure than PPTP, L2TP is still considered less secure than protocols like OpenVPN due to some remaining vulnerabilities.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is an open-source software application that leverages SSL to provide a highly configurable and secure VPN solution. By encapsulating data packets, OpenVPN establishes a secure and encrypted connection between two computers. This protocol is versatile and can be used to access internal resources such as email, file servers, or databases. It is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and devices and can be easily customized to fit various network configurations and security requirements. Known for its robust security, OpenVPN utilizes industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption protocols and includes advanced features like two-factor authentication and a kill switch, making it one of the most secure VPN protocols available.

How does a VPN work?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) acts as an impenetrable tunnel between your device and the broader internet, ensuring that your data remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties during transmission. This makes it a crucial security tool. To understand how a VPN achieves this, let’s break down the three core concepts in reverse order: networks, privacy, and virtualization.

Network

When you open your browser and visit a site like wikipedia.com, your computer doesn’t connect directly to Wikipedia’s servers.

Instead, your request travels through several intermediate points. For instance, if you’re in a coffee shop using public Wi-Fi, your computer first connects to the coffee shop’s router, unless a nearby hacker is spoofing the network ID.

The coffee shop’s router then forwards your request to their Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) servers. The ISP uses a Domain Name Server (DNS) to locate Wikipedia’s IP address. The data returning to your device follows the same path in reverse.

All these components form your network. If the coffee shop’s network isn’t secure, your data can be intercepted. This vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to steal your login credentials or enable marketing companies to monitor your online activities.

Private

So, how can you ensure your data remains secure? Most large companies protect their information by using a private network. This means that outsiders cannot access the company’s data.

In a traditional private network, data doesn’t leave the premises until it is securely encrypted. For example, if you’re an employee at a company with robust security measures, accessing wikipedia.com from your desktop PC involves multiple layers of protection. Your request is first processed within the company’s secure firewalls. The network then accesses Wikipedia on your behalf. The results from Wikipedia are sent back to the company’s secure servers, which then relay the data to your desktop.

From your perspective, this process is seamless—it appears as though you are directly accessing Wikipedia. However, all your data has passed through additional security layers, making you much safer on the company’s private network compared to using the coffee shop’s public Wi-Fi.

Virtual

These days, most employees don’t work in the office all the time. They work from home, on the road, and from coffee shops. How can they connect to the secure private network if they’re not in the building?

The answer is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Imagine you’re using your company laptop on public Wi-Fi, trying to access wikipedia.com, but this time you’re connected through a VPN.

The VPN encrypts all data leaving your laptop, so anyone intercepting it only sees a string of meaningless ones and zeros. Your computer doesn’t try to access Wikipedia directly. Instead, your laptop sends a secure request to your private network.

The private network then retrieves the page you want. It encrypts the response and sends it back to you. If anyone attempts to intercept the data, they won’t be able to decipher the encryption.

This is how VPN providers operate. The app you install on your device encrypts all of your traffic. Your data is then sent to the VPN servers, where it is decrypted and processed. While in transit, your information remains secure and inaccessible to anyone trying to intercept it.

The Bottom Line

That was a lot of information, so let’s recap to ensure you’ve grasped the key points. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are essential for creating secure connections to networks over the internet. Whether you’re using them for work or leisure, VPNs are one of the best tools for browsing the web safely, securely, and without the worry of your personal information or documents being compromised.

Whether you’ve experienced hacking, identity theft, or simply want to be more cautious online, VPNs act as a protective shield between you and the various threats you might encounter on the internet. Besides offering robust protection, VPNs are also excellent for bypassing geographical restrictions, accessing streaming services, and maintaining your anonymity online.

How to Use a VPN

The first step in setting up a VPN is selecting the right provider for your needs. There are many VPN providers out there, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to choose a provider that supports protocols compatible with all your devices, is easy to set up, can be accessed from any location, and offers strong encryption to ensure security, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

One key factor that distinguishes a good VPN from a mediocre one is the number of users sharing a single IP address. Since spammers and malicious actors also use VPNs, some service providers block known VPN IP addresses. They can obtain lists of VPN IP addresses and restrict access to their services from these addresses. A good VPN provider offers private IP addresses, which, although more expensive, provide greater freedom and anonymity online.

Once you’ve selected a VPN provider, you’ll need to configure your device to connect to it. These configurations vary depending on the provider, so they should supply detailed, step-by-step instructions. Some providers also offer installation files to streamline the setup process, which can be particularly helpful if you’re not familiar with configuring operating systems.