What Is a VPN Tunnel? Types of VPN Tunneling

A VPN tunnel is a private, encrypted pathway between a user’s device and a secure VPN server. When a user establishes a connection with a VPN, they form a tunnel through which data can move in a secure, protected manner. VPN tunnels are fundamental as they conceal user IP addresses and encrypt all data that moves through the tunnel, keeping searches private.

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How Does a VPN Tunnel Work?

A VPN tunnel aims to keep user data secure by encrypting all data that passes through it. A VPN is able to offer this function by constructing a secure tunnel between two points, most often the VPN itself and a user’s device.

When a user activates VPN and browses the internet, any information will pass through the VPN tunnel, making sure that no external party can observe the user’s IP address or what they’re doing online.

Here are the steps that a VPN moves through to construct a tunnel and secure its connection:

Create a Connection: A user will initiate the VPN on their device. Once the user’s account is authenticated by the VPN, it will then begin the process of forming a network tunnel to the user’s device.
Generate Encryption: The VPN will create an encrypted channel, using whichever encryption standards the provider of the tool typically employs, between the VPN and the user device.
Package Data: To ensure data remains private inside of the tunnel, the VPN will wrap data into individual packets. These packets are then wrapped and sent through the tunnel, allowing them to pass through to the user’s device, where they are then decrypted.
Decrypt Data: Finally, the VPN client will decrypt the data and present it on the user’s device.

Note: If the VPN connection drops at any point during this process, the program will kill the connection to the internet. This killswitch makes sure that connections remain private, even if the VPN fails, further providing a comprehensive sense of security.

Types of VPN Tunneling Protocols

There are numerous types of VPN tunneling protocols, some of which are more used than others.

IPSec + IKEv2: Internet Protocol Security is often used in tandem with IKEv2, with the former encrypting data while the latter helps to construct the VPN tunnel.
IPsec + L2TP: While less frequently used than the previous combination, these two protocols work together, with the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol connecting to a VPN and the IPSec then establishing a connection and securing it with encryption.
PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling protocol is now an out-of-date VPN protocol that is the foundation for many modern-day VPNs. Established by Microsoft in 1999, this was a go-to for many years before discovered vulnerabilities rendered it insecure.
OpenVPN: OpenVPN is another frequently used VPN protocol. As it is open-source, many VPN providers will configure this to meet their precise needs.

Any of these VPN tunneling protocols can help a user establish a VPN connection.

Benefits of Using a VPN Tunnel

There are several reasons that businesses should instruct their employees to use a VPN tunnel:

Improve Security: Using a VPN and the VPN tunnel it provides allows users to protect themselves and the data they access from a range of cyber attacks. For example, a VPN tunnel will protect connections from man-in-the-middle attacks, preventing hackers from seeing what data and resources a user is working within a session.
Enhance Privacy: Important aspects that are better off being kept private, like a person’s IP address and their location, are protected by VPN tunnels. Using a VPN can ensure a greater degree of privacy and keep people anonymous online.
Overcome Geographic Restriction: A VPN allows businesses to overcome any potential issues that certain geographic areas may place upon a remote employee. Some governments and jurisdictions will block or censor certain content. A VPN can solve this, creating a reliable method of connecting to business resources regardless of someone’s location.

Understanding Split Tunneling

Split tunneling is a technique used by network administrators to tailor what information moves through a VPN tunnel, allowing businesses to keep the speed of their VPN connection as quick as possible. By selecting low-importance assets and having them move through an unprotected tunnel, you free up network resources for the VPN’s more sensitive and important data.

Split tunneling creates several separate network connections.

One route will move through your VPN server and its encrypted tunnel
The other route will move on a lateral track directly to the internet.

Network administrators can use split tunneling to create precise rules for their servers. They can also configure split tunnels using FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) tunneling. This is a strategy where businesses can select which URL connections they want to include in their VPN channel and which they are happy to connect directly.

By modifying split tunnel networks by using FQDN, administrators can create blanket rules that make managing tunnels much easier than when working with just IP addresses.

Sicurezza VPN con Quantum VPN

As business data continues to serve as a high-value target for cybercriminals, it’s more important than ever to make sure your company is able to protect its employees when working remotely. Whether from their houses or from a local coffee shop, a VPN will help to secure their connection and prevent a number of potential attack vectors from intercepting sensitive information.

Check Point Quantum VPN is a world-class remote access VPN, offering users a secure, seamless, and user-friendly method of connecting to corporate networks with complete confidence. Ensure your private data remains out of reach of malicious actors with Check Point’s extensive encryption and protection system. Get started today by requesting a trial.