The Internet Protocol (IP) was the first way of transferring datagram across users. However, it lacked the ability to authenticate the data being sent. This lead to the creation of IPsec, which is one of the major online security protocols used ...
VPN Basics
Virtual Private Networks can be just as useful as they are harmful. It’s not easy to know the good from the bad because complex topics like cryptography, Information Technology, and data privacy can seem like a dark forest for novices. A strong VPN guide can help find the way!
What is Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)?
Multiprotocol Label Switching or MPLS is a telecommunication related technology that speeds and shapes data flow across enterprise networks. This technique is protocol-agnostic, meaning it is not partial to any particular protocol. MPLS was ...
What is L2TP and how does it work?
L2TP is shorthand for “Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol.” It is an extension of the commonly-used “Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol” (PPTP) in VPNs. L2TP is not an encryption method on its own. It uses PPTP’s encryption. Your ...
What is a VPN gateway and why should I have one?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateway is a device that securely connects two or more computers, computer systems, or other VPNs together over long distances. This allows a private connection to be secured and encrypted against hackers. The ...
What is a VPN port?
A VPN port is a networking port that is commonly used in the VPN infrastructure. They are logical ports named using sequenced numbers and making it possible for VPN traffic to pass inside and outside of the server device or VPN client. The type ...
How to use site-to-site VPN
As organizations grow, they establish branches in different parts of the world to optimize their operations and outdo their competitors. As a result, they develop multiple proprietary networks to man all their offices. The biggest challenge is ...
An overview of VPN passthrough
There is an increasing need to protect internet-enabled devices due to the rising demand in telecommunication. Individuals and companies are turning to VPNs for online safety. Luckily, the majority of employees in tech-savvy businesses have ...
Remote Access VPN
With a remote access VPN, you will have access to localized information without having to be within the location where the information is stored. Due to this fact, remote access VPNs increase productivity and also reduce the costs of staffing, ...
VPN authentication explained
VPNs have completely transformed how we conduct business. Business partners and remote office employees can now access sensitive business data via the internet anywhere and anytime. No wonder so many companies have made VPN authentication and ...
An overview of the L2F protocol
L2F is a Cisco channeling protocol that uses features such as virtual dial-up networks for well-secured data packet transport. L2F is similar in its functionality to the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) that was designed by Microsoft. ...
Most common VPN errors
VPNs are a great way to stay anonymous and protected when surfing the web. To do this, a VPN creates secure tunnels from the client through to the server, all via the Internet. There are many different VPN providers that you can use that offer ...
Most common Cisco VPN client errors
In recent years, it has become very important to protect one’s privacy online. To that end, more and more people are using virtual private networks (VPNs) in order to access the Internet in a secure and anonymous way. These VPNs create secure ...
HIPAA Compliant VPN Service
Cybersecurity is a priority in all sectors of the economy, from aerospace to fashion retail. But it’s fair to say that digital security is more important in the healthcare industry than any others. The need to protect patient data is one ...
What is SHA? Everything you need to know about Secure Hash Algorithm
In the modern world, information isn’t secure unless it has been encrypted. This means taking whatever text, graphics or video you have and applying mathematical processes to make it impenetrable to outsiders. Unless they have the key to ...
Understanding Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a vital network protocol used to transmit data over networks. A protocol, when speaking of networks, is a set of guidelines and procedures that control how data transmission is executed so users, regardless ...
What is NAT firewall?
In the medieval world, lords relied on castle walls to keep them save from marauding armies. When nation states emerged, borders and armies took over. And int he age of the Internet, firewalls have taken over as our primary line of defense. ...
What is AES encryption?
AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard, and it’s one of the most reliable encryption tools available to users of the internet. Although the standard is almost 20 years old, it continues to evolve, and has the power of the US ...
What is AES 128 encryption?
If you’ve been sifting through the world of VPNs trying to find the right service, you may well have come across the term AES 128 encryption. It’s not hard to guess from the name that this is something related to the way data is ...
What is NAT and how does it work?
There are currently more than 350 million Internet users and an estimated 100 million hosts, a figure that will grow exponentially in the future. Luckily, NAT allows multiple client requests over a single private IP address. But what is NAT? NAT ...
PPTP vs L2TP: choosing between two protocols
Many VPNs give you the option to choose between these two protocols, but do you really understand what you’re choosing when you pick one over the other? Recently, there has been an increase in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) among ...
Having heard about Virtual Private Networks (VPN) you might feel inclined to try one of them. You are on the right path, but don’t assume all VPNs are the same – if you’re not careful, they’ll rob you blind! The main problem new VPN users deal with is navigating the marketing efforts of VPN service providers. Companies love nothing more than to throw some huge number-laden phrase on their homepage. We can’t blame them, but we can teach people about VPN, so they can get at the truth!
The first objective of this page is to have VPN explained to the regular user. In doing so we will answer questions ranging from what the title means to how VPNs work on a really basic level. This is where you can learn about some of the things that have been bothering you – what is the difference between a VPN and a proxy; how does a VPN work; what are the differences between various security protocols; etc. The section will not tell you which VPN provider does a better job, but hopefully, it will give you a more holistic understanding of what VPN is.
Our second mission with this page is to look at the features offered by VPN services. Most of the better providers have created software suites with many different gadgets. Understanding them is crucial both to help you decide which VPN service is right for you and in order to make the best of what you’ve bought. This is where we will discuss cryptographic ciphers, kill switches, attributes of a secure VPN, various VPN-related devices, benefits, and blind spots.
The road that leads to a secure VPN service is full of perils. This is a good place to begin researching if you’re someone who wants to make up your own mind, or if you’re interested in the technical side of the story!