6 common VPN protocols
What is a VPN protocol?
Virtual private networks (VPNs) and VPN protocols are not the same. NordVPN, for example, is a VPN service that allows users to choose from a number of different VPN protocols depending on their needs and the device they are using.
A VPN transmits your internet traffic through encrypted tunnels to VPN servers that assign a new IP address to your device. VPN protocols are combinations of programs and processes that define how this tunnel is actually formed. Each one is a different solution to the problem of safe, private and somewhat anonymous online communication.
There is no perfect VPN protocol. Each may have potential vulnerabilities, documented or not yet discovered, that may or may not compromise your security. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each protocol.
How many types of VPNs are there?
There are two types of VPNs:
- VPN remote access It encrypts the data that is sent or received on your device, so that no one can snoop on you. When we talk about VPNs that are used by private users, they are all VPNs for remote access;
- Site-to-site VPN Used to extend the company’s network between different sites. They are divided into two categories: intranet-based (for merging multiple LANs into one private network) and extranet-based (when a company wants to expand its network and share it with partners or customers).
Protocols are the driving forces of VPNs. Below are six popular VPN protocols along with their advantages and disadvantages.
6 Popular VPN Protocols
1. OpenVPN
OpenVPN is a very popular and very secure protocol used by many VPN providers. It works over the Internet Protocol TCP or UDP. The former will ensure that your data is delivered completely and in the correct order while the latter focuses on faster speeds. Several VPNs, including NordVPN, will let you choose between the two.
Positives
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open source, Which means it is transparent. Anyone can check the code for backdoors or vulnerabilities that could compromise your VPN’s security.
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cleverness. It can be used with a range of different encryption and traffic protocols, configured for different uses, or be as secure or as light as you like.
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protection. It can run almost any encryption protocol, which makes it extremely secure.
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Bypasses most firewalls. Firewall compatibility is not an issue when using NordVPN, but it can be if you set up your own VPN. Fortunately, with OpenVPN you will be able to bypass your firewall easily.
Negatives
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Complex setup. Its versatility means that most users could be paralyzed by choice and complexity if they try to set up their own OpenVPN.
When do you use it: OpenVPN is irreplaceable when you need first-class security: connect to public Wi-Fi, log into your company database, or use banking.
2. IPSec / IKEv2
IKEv2 lays the foundation for a secure VPN connection by creating an authenticated and encrypted connection. It was developed by Microsoft and Cisco to be fast, stable and secure. It has succeeded on all of these fronts, but where it really shines is its stability. As part of the IPSec Internet Security Toolkit, IKEv2 uses other IPSec tools to provide comprehensive VPN coverage.
Positives
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stability. IKEv2 typically uses an IPSec tool called Mobility and Multi-homing Protocol, which ensures a VPN connection as you move between Internet connections. This makes IKEv2 the most reliable and stable protocol for mobile devices.
- protection. As part of the IPSec suite, IKEv2 works with most of the leading encryption algorithms, making it one of the most secure VPNs.
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Speed. It consumes little bandwidth when active, and its NAT traversal makes it connect and communicate faster. It also helps in penetrating firewalls.
Negatives
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Limited compatibility. IKEv2 is not compatible with many systems. This wouldn’t be a problem for Windows users because Microsoft helped create this protocol, but some other operating systems will need adapted versions.
When do you use it: The stability of IPSec/IKEv2 ensures that you won’t lose your VPN connection when switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data, so it might be a good choice on the go. It also bypasses firewalls quickly and can provide fast speeds on streaming platforms.
3. Wireguard
Wireguard is the latest and fastest tunneling protocol that the entire VPN industry is talking about. It uses the latest encryption technology that outperforms the current leaders – OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2. However, it is still considered experimental, so VPN providers need to look for new solutions (such as NordVPN’s NordLynx) to work around Wireguard’s weaknesses.
Positives
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Free and open source. Anyone can see their code, which makes it easy to deploy, audit, and debug.
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Very modern and fast. It consists of just 4,000 lines of code, making it the “least bulk” protocol out of them all. In comparison, OpenVPN code contains 100 times more lines.
Negatives
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incomplete. Wireguard promises to be the “next big thing,” but its implementation is still in its early stages and has plenty of room for improvement. It currently fails to provide users with complete anonymity, so VPN providers need to find customized solutions to provide the necessary security without losing speed.
When do you use it: Use Wireguard when speed is a priority: streaming, online gaming, or downloading large files.
4. SSTP
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is a fairly secure and capable VPN protocol created by Microsoft. It has its pros and cons, which means that each user has to decide for himself whether this protocol is worth using. Although it is primarily a Microsoft product, SSTP is available on other systems besides Windows.
Positives
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owned by Microsoft. With the lion’s share of the market, you can be confident that your Windows operating system will either support or have SSTP built into it. It also means that if you try to set it up yourself, it should be easy and you can expect Microsoft support.
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Believe. Similar to other leading VPNs, SSTP supports the AES-256 encryption protocol.
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Bypass firewalls. SSTP can access most firewalls without interrupting your connections.
Negatives
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owned by Microsoft, Which means that the code is not available for security researchers to test. Microsoft is known to cooperate with the National Security Agency and other law enforcement agencies, so some suspect that the system may have backdoors. Many VPN providers avoid this protocol.
When do you use it: SSTP is useful for bypassing geo-restrictions and enhancing privacy while browsing the Internet.
5. L2TP / IPSec
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) doesn’t actually provide any encryption or authentication – it’s simply a VPN tunneling protocol that establishes a connection between you and the VPN server. It relies on other tools in the IPSec suite to encrypt your traffic and keep it private and secure. This protocol has some decent features, but there are some issues that prevent it from being a leading VPN protocol. (L2TP is no longer among the supported NordVPN protocols.)
Positives
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protection. Ironically, L2TP offers absolutely no security which makes it somewhat secure. This is because it can accept a number of different encryption protocols, making the protocol as secure or as light as you want it to be.
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Widely. L2TP is available in almost all modern consumer systems, which means administrators will have no trouble finding and operating support.
Negatives
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Likely to be hacked by the NSA. Like IKEv2, L2TP is typically used with IPSec, and thus exposes the same vulnerabilities mentioned earlier.
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slow. The protocol encapsulates data twice, which may be useful for some applications but makes it slower compared to other protocols that only encapsulate your data once.
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He has difficulties with firewalls. Unlike other VPN protocols, L2TP does not have any smart ways to bypass firewalls. Monitor-oriented system administrators use firewalls to block VPNs, and people who configure L2TP themselves are an easy target.
When do you use it: You can use L2TP for secure online shopping and banking. It is also useful when you want to connect several branches of a company into a single network.
6. PPTP
The Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) was created in 1999 and was the first widely available VPN protocol. It was designed for the first time for a dial-up traffic tunnel! It uses some of the weakest encryption protocols of any VPN protocol on this list and has a lot of security holes. (PPTP is no longer a supported NordVPN protocol.)
Positives
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Fast. It is outdated, so modern devices work on PPTP very efficiently. It’s fast but offers minimal security, which is why it’s popular among people who want to meticulously set up home VPNs to access geo-blocked content.
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Very compatible. In the many years since its inception, PPTP has essentially become the basic minimum standard for tunneling and encryption. It is supported by almost every modern system and device. This also makes it easy to set up and use.
Negatives
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Unsafe. Several vulnerabilities and exploits for PPTP have been identified. Some (but not all) were patched and even Microsoft encouraged users to switch to L2TP or SSTP.
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Cracked by the NSA. It is said that the NSA decrypts this protocol regularly as a matter of course.
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It is blocked by firewalls. Being an old, outdated, and retro system, it’s easy to block PPTP connections through the firewall. If you are using the protocol at a school or company that blocks VPN connections, it may disrupt your service.
When do you use it: We recommend using PPTP only to stream or access geo-blocked content. For anything else, you should use more advanced VPN protocols.
VPN Protocol Comparison
* Our NordLynx protocol is built around WireGuard and you can find it in the NordVPN app.
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What is the best VPN protocol?
There is no such thing as the best VPN protocol for everyone. The answer to this question depends on your needs and what you do on the Internet. If you are an avid gamer, you probably use a VPN for different reasons than someone who watches a lot of TV shows or often works in coffee shops. To determine the best NordVPN protocol for you, think carefully about what you need more than your VPN connection.
What is the fastest VPN protocol?
Wireguard is one of the fastest VPN protocols, providing faster connection/reconnect times and improved battery life for mobile devices. NordVPN’s NordLynx combines the speed of Wireguard with enhanced security. IKEv2/IPsec is also a fast protocol and may serve the needs of many.
What is the most secure VPN protocol?
Many VPN experts recommend OpenVPN as the most secure protocol. It uses 256-bit encryption as default but also offers other ciphers such as 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard), Blowfish, CAST-128, and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
What is the most stable VPN protocol?
IKEv2 / IPsec is the most stable VPN protocol because it provides a strong connection and allows users to switch between networks without risking their security.
What is the easiest VPN protocol to setup?
PPTP is built into many devices, which makes it one of the easiest to set up. However, since it is outdated and known for security issues, we do not recommend using it. Look for other options like Wireguard or IKEv2/IPsec.
VPN services like NordVPN set up the protocols for you, so you don’t have to worry about tweaking them for better performance. In fact, you can switch NordVPN protocols with just a few clicks on our app.
Enhance your security and make the best use of VPN protocols.
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