If you’re looking for a VPN (virtual private network) to improve your online security or bypass geographical restrictions, you’ve probably come across the two most popular protocols – OpenVPN and IPsec. But which one should you choose?
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that uses SSL/TLS for key exchange. It’s widely considered to be the most secure VPN protocol, but it’s also more resource-intensive than other protocols.
IPsec, on the other hand, is a protocol that can be used with a wide range of encryption methods. It’s not as resource-intensive as OpenVPN, but it’s not as widely considered to be as secure.
So, which VPN protocol should you choose? OpenVPN vs IPsec? Keep reading to find out!
What is OpenVPN and How Does it Work?
OpenVPN is a free and open-source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections.
OpenVPN uses the SSL/TLS protocol to create the VPN connection. The SSL/TLS protocol transmits data over a securely encrypted connection, commonly known as what is commonly known as “https”. The client authentication model in OpenVPN relies on certificates, which are also used by HTTPS web servers.
It uses the OpenSSL library to encrypt data packets transported over the Internet and then uses an SSL/TLS (transport layer security) connection to provide authentication and encryption for Virtual Private Networks.
OpenVPN can be used on all major desktop operating systems, as well as Android, Windows Phone, and iOS devices. It also provides many different encryption protocols which are not supported by other VPN services like IKEv2 and IPSec.
What is IPsec and How Does it Work?
IPsec is a protocol that provides encryption and authentication. It works at the network layer of the OSI model, meaning it only encrypts data for the actual transport to take place. IPsec uses encryption to protect data from eavesdropping and authentication to ensure that the data is coming from a valid source, not an impostor. The way it does this is by encapsulating (encapsulating) each packet with a header that contains security information about this packet.
In short, IPsec (IP security) is a protocol suite that provides network security by protecting communications via encryption.
When implemented in a home or business, IPsec protects against the disclosure of confidential information.
OpenVPN vs IPsec: Which one is the best?
IPsec is an Internet Protocol Security protocol that provides protection against intrusion, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other forms of hacking. It was designed to replace the former PPTP VPN and earlier versions of L2TP/IPsec protocols.
OpenVPN is also a tunnelling software that provides various security features for establishing secure telecommunications channels over a public network such as the internet.
A major difference between OpenVPN and IPsec is in what they encrypt. OpenVPN only encrypts data transmitted in one direction over the tunnel, but IPsec does both ways i.e., upstream and downstream data transmission by encrypting each packet before it leaves the sender’s side of the tunnel and decrypting it after it reaches the receiver’s end of the tunnel.
Conclusion:
There are a number of different VPN protocols available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In the end, the best VPN protocol for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If security is your main concern, then you should choose a protocol like OpenVPN or IPsec. However, if speed is your top priority, then you might want to choose a different protocol.
