How a VPN works and how to chose one

The primary function of a VPN is to provide secure and private communication by encrypting data transmitted over the internet. In this article, we will explain how a VPN works and how to chose one and if you want even how to configure it using free tools. VPN is the anonymous of Virtual Private Network (VPN) and is a secure and encrypted tunnel between two devices or networks over the internet.

How a VPN works?

A VPN is a connection that extends a private network across a public network, such as the internet. It creates a secure and encrypted connection between the two devices or networks, so that data transmitted between them is protected from unauthorized access. The basic components of a VPN are:

1. VPN Server – A VPN server is a device that runs VPN server software and manages VPN connections.
2. VPN Client – A VPN client is a device or software application that connects to a VPN server.
3. VPN Protocol – A VPN protocol is a set of rules and procedures used to create and manage VPN connections.

When a VPN connection is established, the VPN client and server negotiate the encryption algorithm and authentication method to be used for the connection. The encryption algorithm ensures that data transmitted over the internet is secure and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized parties. The authentication method ensures that only authorized users are able to access the VPN.

Once the encryption algorithm and authentication method have been negotiated, the VPN client and server exchange keys and establish a secure tunnel for data transmission. The VPN client encrypts all data transmitted over the internet using the agreed-upon encryption algorithm, and the VPN server decrypts the data before sending it to its intended destination. Similarly, when data is received from the internet, the VPN server encrypts the data and sends it to the VPN client, which then decrypts the data.

Why a VPN is needed

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is needed for several reasons:

1. Security: When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, making it more difficult for anyone to intercept or spy on your online activity. This is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, which is often unsecured and can be easily hacked.
2. Privacy: A VPN hides your IP address and location, making it more difficult for websites, advertisers, and governments to track your online activity. This can be important if you value

Types of VPN

There are two main types of VPN:

1. Remote Access VPN – A remote access VPN allows individual users to connect to a remote network securely over the internet. It is commonly used by employees who need to access company resources from outside the company network.
2. Site-to-Site VPN – A site-to-site VPN connects two or more networks securely over the internet. It is commonly used by businesses to connect branch offices or remote locations to the main office network.

Free VPN tools

There are many free VPN tools available, both for server and client-side configurations. Some of the most popular free VPN tools are:

1. OpenVPN – is an open-source VPN protocol that provides secure and encrypted connections. It is widely used for site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN. OpenVPN is available for free and can be configured using the OpenVPN client and server software.
2. SoftEther – is an open-source VPN protocol that provides high-speed and secure connections. It is widely used for site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN. SoftEther is available for free and can be configured using the SoftEther VPN client and server software.
3. WireGuard – is an open-source VPN protocol that provides high-speed and secure connections. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient and is widely used for remote access VPN. WireGuard is available for free and can be configured using the WireGuard client and server software.

Configuring a VPN using OpenVPN

Here are the steps to configure a VPN using OpenVPN:

1. Install OpenVPN server software on the server. The OpenVPN server software can be downloaded from the OpenVPN website. Once downloaded, the software should be installed on the server where the VPN will be hosted.
2. Generate a server certificate and key pair using the OpenVPN EasyRSA script. The OpenVPN EasyRSA script is a set of scripts that make it easy to generate the certificates and keys required for a VPN connection. The script can be downloaded from the OpenVPN website and should be run on the server to generate the server certificate and key pair.
3. Configure the OpenVPN server by creating a server.conf file. The server.conf file is used to configure the OpenVPN server. It specifies the encryption algorithm and authentication method to be used for the connection, as well as other settings such as the IP address range to be used for VPN clients.
4. Start the OpenVPN server and ensure that it is listening for incoming connections. The OpenVPN server should be started and configured to listen for incoming connections. Once started, the server will be able to accept VPN connections from clients.
5. Install the OpenVPN client software on the client device. The OpenVPN client software can be downloaded from the OpenVPN website. Once downloaded, the software should be installed on the client device that will be used to connect to the VPN.
6. Generate a client certificate and key pair using the OpenVPN EasyRSA script. The OpenVPN EasyRSA script can be used to generate the client certificate and key pair that will be used to authenticate the VPN client.
7. Configure the OpenVPN client by creating a client.conf file. The client.conf file is used to configure the OpenVPN client. It specifies the server address, encryption algorithm, and authentication method to be used for the connection.
8. Start the OpenVPN client and ensure that it is connecting to the server. The OpenVPN client should be started and configured to connect to the VPN server. Once connected, the client will be able to securely transmit data over the VPN connection.

Conclusion

VPNs provide secure and private communication over the internet by creating an encrypted tunnel between two devices or networks. There are two main types of VPN: remote access VPN and site-to-site VPN. There are many free VPN tools available, including OpenVPN, SoftEther, and WireGuard. Configuring a VPN using free.

Real life example

Let’s say you’re at a coffee shop and want to connect to the internet using the free Wi-Fi available. You open your laptop, connect to the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi network, and start browsing the web. However, because the Wi-Fi network is unsecured, anyone else on the same network can potentially see your internet traffic, including your login credentials and any sensitive information you transmit.

Now, let’s say you have a VPN subscription and activate it on your laptop. When you connect to the VPN, all your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through a private network, making it much more difficult for anyone to intercept or spy on your online activity. In this case, even if someone on the same Wi-Fi network tries to intercept your traffic, they won’t be able to see what you’re doing.

Furthermore, the VPN hides your IP address and location, making it more difficult for websites, advertisers, and governments to track your online activity. This can be useful if you’re accessing websites that are blocked or censored in your country, or if you simply value your online privacy and want to keep your internet activity private.

In summary, a VPN can provide security and privacy benefits, especially when using public Wi-Fi or accessing websites that may be blocked or monitored.

VPN Services comparison

With so many VPN services available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. We will compare and analyze four popular VPN services: ExpressVPN, Ivacy, NordVPN, and PureVPN.

ExpressVPN

Pros	Cons
Fast speeds Wide server network in over 94 countries Excellent customer support User-friendly interface High level of security and encryption	Higher price point compared to some other VPN services No free trial

Ivacy VPN

Pros	Cons
Affordable pricing Military-grade encryption Dedicated IPs available High number of servers in over 100 countries 30-day money-back guarantee	Inconsistent speeds No split-tunneling feature Limited customer support

You can get more info here -> IvacyVPN

Ivacy VPN One month plan in just $9.95/Month

NordVPN

Pros	Cons
Large server network in over 59 countries Advanced security features, such as Double VPN and Onion over VPN User-friendly interface 30-day money-back guarantee Affordable pricing	Inconsistent speeds Customer support can be slow to respond

More information about NordVPN

PureVPN

Best VPN Service for Streaming and Online Privacy

Pros	Cons
Affordable pricing Wide server network in over 140 countries High level of security and encryption Split-tunneling feature 31-day money-back guarantee	Inconsistent speeds Can be difficult to use for beginners Customer support can be slow to respond

More information about PureVPN

In the above comparison by “split-tunneling” we meant the ability to allow users to selectively route their internet traffic through either the VPN server or their local internet service provider (ISP). In other words, when using split-tunneling, users can choose which apps or websites to send through the VPN and which to access through their regular internet connection.

In terms of server networks, both Ivacy and PureVPN offer a wide range of servers in many countries, while NordVPN has a slightly smaller server network. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has one of the fastest and most reliable server networks. In terms of pricing, Ivacy and PureVPN are the most affordable, while NordVPN and ExpressVPN are slightly more expensive.

In terms of security features, all four VPN services offer high levels of encryption and security protocols. However, NordVPN stands out with advanced features such as Double VPN and Onion over VPN, which provide an additional layer of security and privacy.

Overall, each VPN service has its strengths and weaknesses. ExpressVPN is a reliable and fast VPN service with a wide server network. Ivacy is an affordable VPN service with many servers, while NordVPN offers advanced security features. PureVPN is a feature-rich VPN service at an affordable price. It’s essential to consider your needs and preferences when choosing a VPN service. Our overall choice will fall between PureVPN or Ivacy, the reason is first because of price, they seems to be cheaper and offer a high level of security and a great number of servers available, however if you are looking for more advanced feature the choice is NordVPN

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