{"id":315,"date":"2023-04-11T07:47:36","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T07:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=315"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:31:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:31:09","slug":"what-is-openvpn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/guides\/what-is-openvpn\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is OpenVPN and How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that uses virtual private network technologies to ensure secure point-to-point and site-to-site connections. It launched in 2001, and today, 20 years later, it\u2019s one of the most popular VPN protocols<\/a> among VPN users. If you would like to inspect it closer, learn how it works, and find out all bout its pros and cons, you’re at the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Use the OpenVPN Protocol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using a VPN service has never been as vital as it is these days. According to some cybersecurity statistics from 2020, a cyberattack happens every 39 seconds.<\/a> Finding a good VPN protocol can get you a long way and keep your device safe from potential harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VPN protocols work by transferring data to and from the internet through virtual tunnels. These tunnels are there to encrypt your data, reroute it, and change your IP address during the process. There are multiple ways to mask and encrypt online data, and those processes are also known as VPN protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various types of VPN tunnels<\/a> available. Some of the most common tunneling protocols in the industry are PPTP, L2TP\/IPSec, OpenVPN, SSTP, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Each tunneling protocol<\/a> transfers data in a different way and different protocols usually serve different purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To have the OpenVPN protocol explained, we\u2019d say it’s the most flexible of them all. It\u2019s an open-source solution, meaning that anyone can access it and alter its code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main options when it comes to OpenVPN. OpenVPN Community Edition is the basic, free version of the software, while OpenVPN Access Server is the advanced, paid version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How OpenVPN Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things you should know about this type of protocol is that it\u2019s highly customizable. You or your VPN provider can adjust its settings to make it more suitable for your needs and preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OpenVPN offers tunneling through the Secure Sockets Layer and its updated form, Transport Layer Security. SSL and TLS protocols allow users to share the keys to encode and decode the information that\u2019s being sent through the tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an additional layer of safety, the OpenVPN protocol also includes TLS-auth, an extra step that helps confirm that only the right devices and users can interfere with data. It implements standard 256-bit encryption, making its keys extremely difficult to crack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to all the other security features, OpenVPN also includes a tool called Perfect Forward Secrecy. The PFS encryption works by creating a brand new key every time you go online, so if someone manages to steal your key during one session, they won\u2019t be able to use it to decode your messages during the next one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Fast Is OpenVPN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As much as it is reliable and secure, OpenVPN isn\u2019t really the fastest VPN protocol around. One of the strengths of OpenVPN is that it can be used on both User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). These are the communication standards that enable devices to exchange messages over the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From what we have experienced, OpenVPN with TCP is more reliable, while OpenVPN with UDP appears to be faster. Deciding which one to go with depends mainly on what your needs are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OpenVPN Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OpenVPN is one of the safest VPN protocols on the market. The main reason for that is that it\u2019s an open-source solution, and no company owns or operates it. Therefore, you can be entirely sure your data is safely transmitted, and no one can get unauthorized access to it or sell it to a third party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prove it means serious business, OpenVPN utilizes 256-bit encryption, military-grade ciphers, and implements support for Perfect Forward Secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages and Disadvantages of OpenVPN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like any other VPN protocol, OpenVPN has some pros and cons you should know about. Let\u2019s have a look at those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n