When you install theVPNapp on your computer or smartphone , you just have to open up it , choose a country , and become it ON . Viola , you now are link to a VPN server . There is no need to change any complicated options .
take : Free VPN to Unblock Netflix Geo Restriction
By nonremittal , most VPN providers , mechanically apply the protocol considerably - suitable to your web . But whatif you want more restraint with your VPN ? ,
Well , the good news is , most VPN providers let you configure your app to employ one of other protocols be it PPTP , L2TP , SSTP , IKEv2 , or OpenVPN.So , let ’s receive out what the pro and cons are for each VPN protocol and when to use what .
Table of Contents
PPTP vs L2TP vs SSTP vs IKEYv2 vs OpenVPN
1. PPTP
PPTP curt for Point - to - spot Tunneling Protocol was prepare by Microsoft for creating VPN over dial - up networks . For a longsighted time , PPTP has long been the standard protocol for corporate VPN networks .
Platform – PPTP is well-off to fructify up using the bone build up - in VPN feature . Their clients are progress into many platform , let in Windows , macOS , Android , iOS and even some routers . So , you do n’t need instal extra package to setup PPTP .
Encryption – However , it ’s not worth it . The protocol is old and vulnerable . It is not a secure VPN communications protocol and can be easily decrypted by malicious 3rd parties in man - in - the - middle attacks .
Firewall – PPTP requires both TCP port 1723 , which make it easy to choke up PPTP connections .
Bottom line : Avoid . Only utilize if dead necessary for compatibility .
2. L2TP
L2TP or Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol is a serious variant of PPTP .
political program – It ’s just as well-heeled and quick to put up as PPTP , since it ’s also built in to almost all modern operating systems .
encoding – L2TP does not allow for any encoding on its own , So it basically encapsulate the L2TP traffic in a IPsec tunnel to batten the L2TP traffic . Which , unlike PPTP , is usually considered secure .
Firewall – The problem with L2TP amount with Firewall . It uses UDP port 500 — that means it ’s much easier to block and harder to get around firewall with .
Bottom Line – L2TP / IPsec is theoretically strong , and easy to typeset up . There are some concern , that the NSA could have dampen the IPsec standard , but nothing is confirmed . Also , it has bother getting around firewalls . Overall , I would n’t say it ’s the best communications protocol , but if you have to pick out between PPTP and L2TP , decidedly habituate this over PPTP .
3. SSTP
SSTP aka , Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol , is a proprietary standard owned by Microsoft .
program – Although it is now usable for Linux , and even Mac OS X , it is still primarily a Windows - only political platform .
Encryption – Unlike PPTP and L2TP , SSTP utilize SSL 3.0 which mean it ’s highly strong . However , since it ’s a proprietary protocol , it think that the code is not undetermined to populace and ca n’t be scrutinise as fully .
Firewall – It include the power to use to TCP port 443 , which is used by regular HTTPS traffic . Thus making it gruelling to blockade . As there is no way to tell VPN connections aside from the sort of unassailable connections used internet web browser app , email service , and online retailers . firewalls
Bottomline – SSTP is a proprietary Microsoft protocol , and is well support on Windows . Overall , if you have to take between PPTP , L2TP and SSTP , for a windows estimator . it ’s better to utilise than SSTP . The encryption is honest and can circumvent firewall as well .
4. IKEv2
Internet Key Exchange version 2 ( or IKEv2 ) is comparatively a raw VPN protocol , develop by Microsoft and Cisco .
Platform – You might have not heard much about this protocol , as it is natively supported by Windows 7 and gamey , Blackberry , and iOS twist .
encoding – Like L2TP , IKEv2 is also paired with an authentication cortege such as IPSec , to get encryption feature . So , if you provider say , IKEv2 , it most belike mean , IKEv2 / IPsec .
Bottomline – IKEv2 is not as common as the other communications protocol on this listing , as it is supported on fewer weapons platform mostly Windows and iOS . However , roving substance abuser may still consider it as it sound at mechanically re - establishing a VPN connection when users temporarily drop off their net connections . For example switching between family WiFi and mobile connections , or who regularly move between hotspots .
5. OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an clear source technology that uses the OpenSSL library ,
weapons platform – Unlike PPTP and L2TP which are natively supported by most platform ; to get OpenVPN you ’ll have to use third political party software . But most VPN providers have a usance OpenVPN setup pathfinder , so setting it up should n’t be a job . We have also done a video recording onhow to frame-up OpenVPN , .
Encryption – As of now , OpenVPN is considered to be the strongest encryption , since it support AES , it ’s highly secure . Also , as it ’s capable source , one can always check the source codification and see what ’s go on inside . Thus making OpenVPN best for security .
Firewall – OpenVPN can also run on TCP port 443 , mean it can bypass most firewall .
Bottomline – compare to all the other VPN communications protocol , OpenVPN is arguably the most secure and versatile VPN protocol available . It solve on every platform , bypass firewall and extremely dependable . Only issue is , you need to know how to set it up , for which you may watch our other video .
Wrapping up: Which VPN protocol to use?
In a nutshell , do n’t use PPTP , it ’s outdated and insecure unless your not a millennial .
L2TP is reasonably loose to carry out , and has fairly right encryption with IPsec ( theoretically ) but has trouble mystify around firewalls . So , I would n’t advocate it either . But it ’s emphatically well than PPTP
SSTP is much more secure than L2TP , but the downside is , it Mostly works for Windows .
So , the best choice is , OpenVPN . It ’s secure , true and work on every political platform .
