Description: VPN encryption is a godsend for some people. But have you ever wondered how VPN encryption actually works? This article will provide the notion and features of VPN encryption

What VPN Encryption Means?

Let’s begin with the most important thing – the notion of VPN encryption. So, encryption is when a user can convert information and/or data from a readable form to an encoded format. It is converted to an unreadable form utilizing an algorithm. The intended encrypted form can be decoded just with a suitable decryption key. You may wonder how encryption works with a VPN. In its turn, VPN encryption is described as a method of coding data in plain text (like your internet traffic) so that everyone else cannot read it. Especially those who are trying to control you (like your internet service provider).

A Virtual Private Network guarantees that the network activity of users will be known just for these users. VPN operates as a home private network. The information and files shared through a particular VPN are protected and preserved separate from the rest of the Internet.

Importance of VPN Encryption

Many users had a question: how secure is VPN encryption? We have an answer to this issue. VPN encryption helps protect confidential data from cybercriminals. These can include the numbers of your credit cards, information about your bank account, and account passwords. Scammers will lose the possibility to follow on your online connection, for example, when using public Wi-Fi. Moreover, VPN encryption ensures that the government, ISP, and advertisers have no control over your online activities. All you need to do is to turn on the VPN. You can find many free VPN apps on the Internet and pick up the most suitable for you.

How VPN Encryption Works?

This is the process of securing data by tunneling among the VPN user and the server. VPN encryption allows you to hide your data on the Internet from prying eyes and hands. Simply put, when you turn on the VPN user and join the server, your queries are encoded before being transmitted to the server. They are then decrypted by the server and sent to the open Internet. The requested data received in response is encrypted again on the server, which then forwards it to your device. The VPN client decrypts the data on your device, and you can view it.

However, to better understand how VPN encryption in particular works, you need to keep the following in mind:

• Encryption Keys;
• Encryption algorithms;
• VPN cipher types;
• VPN encryption protocols;
• TLS-handshake;
• HMAC authentication;
• Perfect forward secrecy.

Encryption Keys: What Do They Mean?

An encryption key of a VPN is a random line of bits utilized to encode and decode data. Every key is unique. The length of the key is measured in bits – as a rule. If the key is really long, it will have a high encryption level. Reliable app VPN will use only long keys. The size of the encryption keys can vary greatly. For instance, a 1-bit key allows just two feasible combinations; a 256-bit key allows many combinations in total. For example, the mightiest supercomputers will take many quadrillion years just to figure out a 128-bit key.

The encryption/decryption process uses several types of keys. They are private and public keys. These keys are mathematically connected because any information encrypted with the public key can just be decoded with the associated private key. In addition, the public key is usually in the public domain, while the private key (as its name suggests) keeps private and is known only to the owner of this key.

Encryption Algorithms: Main Types

Typically, algorithms usually are divided into several categories:

• Symmetric encryption. This algorithm is based on identical Public and Private keys. Hence, this algorithm is regarded as the fastest. For instance, the AES encryption cipher refers to symmetric encryption.
• Asymmetric encryption. This algorithm type (likewise regarded as public-key cryptography) utilizes various keys for procedures of encoding and decoding. While this can be comfortable, it is likewise very perilous, as a closed one cannot be restored if it is lost. The RSA protocol (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) is a good instance for asymmetric encryption.

VPN Encryption Types

A cipher refers to an algorithm that is used to perform the procedure of encoding and decoding. In contradistinction to keys, which in fact cannot be hacked, ciphers have their own flaws that allow them to hack the encryption. Fortunately, this type of problem with security can be simply shunned by utilizing a complicated cipher along with a powerful key. Remember that the name of the VPN encryption cipher is usually indicated along with the key length. Next, we’ll cover the main types of ciphers commonly used by VPN applications.

AES cipher

This cipher has 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit keys. It is really widespread among VPN clients because of its NIST certification. Another interesting fact is that the government of the USA likewise utilizes this cipher. Some VPNs use particularly strong encryption. For example, Military-level Encryption. Military-grade encryption means AES-256 encryption. Moreover, VeePN VPN for Windows uses its own encryption protocol AES-256. This is an extra reason to download this VPN for the desktop.

Blowfish Cipher

Blowfish usually assumes a 64-bit key. While this is a fairly secure cipher, many internet users doubt it. Bruce Schneier, the creator of this cipher, didn’t patent the algorithm. Therefore, it can be used by anyone for free. The developer made an odd comment about Blowfish in a 2007 interview: “However, I’m amazed that it’s still popular today.”

Twofish Cipher

Twofish is the successor to Blowfish. The basic distinction is that Twofish possesses a 128-bit key instead of a 64-bit like Blowfish has. This means that it is not as susceptible to attacks. Bruce Schneier likewise advises utilizing Twofish instead of Blowfish.

3DES Cipher

This cipher is likewise regarded as TDEA/Triple DEA. It is more dilatory than Blowfish and just maintains 56-bit, 112-bit, and 168-bit keys. Moreover, like Blowfish, it maintains a 64-bit key. This makes it vulnerable to attacks. It is also important to consider that this cipher has been officially withdrawn from circulation. It will be banned from use after 2023.

MPPE

MPPE cipher refers to Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption. This cipher is usually utilized for dial-up modem connections. It maintains 40-bit, 56-bit, and 128-bit keys.

RSA

RSA is an algorithm that can be utilized for safe online communication. However, most VPN services only use RSA to establish a connection because the cipher is comparatively dilatory. Generally, because of this, RSA is usually not used to directly encrypt user data. It’s worth mentioning that a 1024-bit RSA key is no longer regarded as safe, and security specialists recommend utilizing 2048-bit or 4096-bit keys.