What Are VPN Protocols And Where Are They Used

What Are VPN Protocols and How Do They Work

VPN tunneling protocols are instructions that control how your device connects to a VPN server. We will try to explain the whole process in simple words. Your device and the VPN server recognize each other. At this stage, the process of generating encryption keys happens.

The protocol creates a tunnel. This tunnel will serve as a secure channel for your connection. The way your data packets are wrapped depends on the protocol.

Each packet is encrypted using the method defined by the protocol (for example, AES-256 for OpenVPN). The server decrypts it when it arrives, reads the request, and forwards it to the internet.

Why Do You Need a VPN?

A VPN is more than just hiding your IP address. One of the advantages is that you can control your online behavior again. A free VPN for your PC and other popular devices helps encrypt your internet traffic. This protects your connection from hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), and governments. Here are some good reasons to use a VPN: 

• Privacy: Your internet provider can’t even see your browser history
• Security: Solid encryption keeps hackers’ noses out of your private information
• Be safe on the Wi-Fi: Avoid cyberattacks when using Wi-Fi in hotels, airports, and coffee shops

Popular Types of VPN Protocols Compared

VPN security protocols are different for each one. Some people prioritize speed, while others prefer security. Some people try to find the right balance between speed and security. If you understand your goals, you can choose the best VPN plan for you. This could be for streaming, gaming, or protecting sensitive data.

StarGuard

StarGuard is a product of Planet VPN. It was created to provide a secure and private connection that also offers high-speed performance. This protocol selects the best server route and encryption method to keep your data safe and confidential.

It’s built for everyday use, such as streaming, browsing, and gaming. It adapts to network conditions to minimize delays and provide a fast and reliable VPN experience.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN lets you make many customizations because it’s open-source. It works like other solutions, creating an encrypted tunnel for your data. Now, let’s discuss the key difference between TCP and UDP modes.

TCP mode makes sure all your information gets to the right place. This makes it great for things like web browsing and downloading files. UDP mode is faster, so it’s perfect for streaming videos or playing online games. Sometimes, a few bytes of data can be dropped when using UDP mode.

Many cybersecurity professionals trust OpenVPN because it is safe, adaptable, and compatible with all popular devices.

IKEv2

The IKEv2 protocol is the updated and improved version of the IKEv1 protocol. This protocol is helpful because it is reliable and performs well when switching between networks. This is perfect for people who are always on the go and use cell phones. Modern cryptography keeps your data confidential without reducing speed while your internet connection stays stable.

It’s an ideal protocol for users who prefer a smooth experience in everyday activities, like browsing or streaming.

WireGuard

WireGuard is another open-source protocol that is smaller and faster than OpenVPN. This protocol is different because it was built with modern technology and the needs of today’s users in mind.

To make it lighter, the creators made its code short. It has precisely 4,000 rows, compared to hundreds of thousands in OpenVPN. The short code makes it easier to spot and remove threats.

WireGuard’s security is also impressive. It uses ChaCha20 for encryption, Poly1305 for message authentication, and Curve25519 for key exchange. These components help establish a secure connection for better encryption and safety.

It runs in system memory, providing better low-latency and high-throughput. This protocol will be great for streaming, gaming, and mobile use.

L2TP/IPsec

L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) is a tunneling protocol. IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) secures L2TP packets. Because L2TP encapsulates the data twice, as there are 2 of them, L2TP and IPsec, it works more slowly than newer encryption protocols for VPN.

Another problem with this protocol is that it uses UDP ports 500 and 4500, which can cause firewalls to block it. This happens as UDP traffic on those ports gets filtered. Its older design and need for fixed ports make it less suitable for VPNs or fast speeds, even though it’s widely supported by operating systems.

PPTP

The PPTP protocol has been around for a while, as its specifications were published in July 1999. As a result, it passed many security tests, which revealed its weak spots. Unfortunately, it only creates a basic encrypted tunnel for your internet connection, which makes it insecure according today’s standards.

This protocol isn’t suitable for sensitive data, like passwords, banking details, and private messages. It might be quick and compatible with many things, but it is not a security-first feature. This makes it easy for others to take advantage of you online.

SSTP

SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) is known as the most trustworthy protocol available. It ensures your connection is safe because of SSL/TLS encryption, 2048-bit certificates used for authentication, and AES encryption. This makes it very resistant to man-in-the-middle attacks.

It uses TCP port 443, which is for HTTPS. This can allow it to get around firewalls and/or proxy restrictions.

SSTP feels native for Windows because it integrates deeply into the OS and uses its authentication framework. Yet, there is one issue: it allows only a little independent auditing, so its performance is slower than WireGuard or OpenVPN. It’s still good and available for Windows, but it doesn’t work with other operating systems.

What’s the Best VPN Protocol in the Planet VPN App?

Planet VPN provides its users with 4 different and reliable protocols, including StarGuard, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and IKEv2. Each of them has its own set of strengths and depends on what you value most.

• The protocol set by default is StarGuard. This protocol has a perfect balance os speed and security, suitable for everyday activities.
• OpenVPN is a fast VPN, so it’s great for gaming and streaming. This makes Planet VPN one of the best free VPNs for Windows.
• IKEv2 is ideal for mobile devices since it guarantees reliability and quick reconnections.

How to Change the Protocol in our App

Changing encryption protocols for VPN in the app is easy, even if you don’t get along with technology. Follow our guide step-by-step to change the protocol without any hassle.

Step 1	Download Planet VPN from the official store or follow the link from the official website
Step 2	Open the app, and click on the menu button. Go to the settings after.
Step 3	Click on the name of the protocol, and change to your favorite! You’re ready to go!

Final Verdict on Types of VPN Protocols

There’s no ’best’ among VPN tunneling protocols. It really does depend on what you prioritize first: security, speed, or anonymity. Here’s a short key takeaway regarding all VPN security protocols used by VPNs.

Protocol	Speed	Security	Encryption	Best Used for
StarGuard	High	High	AES-256	Everyday browsing & streaming
OpenVPN	Medium	Very High	AES-256	Maximum privacy, stable, and reliable use
IKEV2	High	High	AES-256 / IPSec	Mobile devices, switching networks
WireGuard	Very High	High	ChaCha20	Gaming, streaming, low ping
L2TP/IPsec	Medium	Medium	AES-256 (via IPSec)	Basic security
PPTP	Very High	Low	MPPE (128-bit)	Legacy use, very fast but insecure
SSTP	Medium	High	AES-256	Windows users