You may already be aware of the fact that virtual private networks are almost taking over the internet. Its usage is not only limited to Windows platforms only but its capabilities are also extended to other several platforms.
However, one thing that may confuse some people is the types of VPN. You might be thinking If you get VPN for Windows you may be able to use it on all other platforms.
But this is not true. There are different types of VPNs and each of them has its own uses and applications. So let us know about these types first.
Content Summary
OpenVPN
PPTP
L2TP/IPSec
What type of VPN protocol is used in Windows VPN
Microsoft Network Virtual Private Network Gateway (MSNP)
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol
Conclusion
There are three types of VPNs:
- OpenVPN
- PPTP
- L2TP/IPSec
Now we will discuss each of them in detail.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is a free VPN protocol that can be used by both Windows as well as Linux users. It was initially developed by Cisco Systems.
The main purpose of using OpenVPN is to provide security to your network. The best part of this VPN is that it does not require any special configurations or settings.
It works like a charm with most routers and firewalls. It provides various features such as port forwarding, dynamic DNS, server-side encryption, etc. The major drawback of this VPN is that there is no option available for mobile devices.
PPTP
PPTP stands for Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol. This is an older version of VPN technology which is used mainly for connecting two computers. It is very easy to configure and set up. However, it comes with a few drawbacks.
First, it is not compatible with IPv6. Second, it is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. Third, it requires manual configuration. Moreover, it also cannot handle large data transfer rates. The last point is, it is not secure enough to protect against eavesdropping and snooping.
L2TP/IPSec
L2TP stands for Layer Two Tunneling Protocol. IPsec stands for Internet Protocol Security. These protocols were originally designed for securing communications between two hosts (computers).
As far as I know, they both work pretty much similar and hence, don’t have anything new to offer. Both come with their pros and cons.
But when it comes to choosing between them, we need to look at things from a business standpoint. If you are running a home-based business, then either of these two protocols would be fine for you.
But if you want to take advantage of online businesses, then the L2TP protocol would be more suitable for you. This is because it supports AES 256-bit ciphers.
Now that you’ve already learned the main types of VPN let’s take a look and see what type of VPN is a Windows VPN.
What type of VPN protocol is used in Windows VPN
Windows offers two types of VPN protocols:
Microsoft Network Virtual Private Network Gateway (MSNP)
This is a default gateway provided by Windows 10 OS that allows you to connect to Azure resources through a local network connection.
To do so, you need to set up MSNp. When you connect to this VPN, you can browse websites, run applications, upload files, download files, and access resources in the cloud.
You should note that MSNp can only be configured once you make changes to system policies.
If you’re interested to learn how to create a custom MSNp policy, check out our guide here.
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol
This type of VPN protocol is usually found on all Windows operating systems before Windows 7 SP1. This protocol uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).
This is ideal for those who are looking for a reliable VPN solution. But since this protocol doesn’t use TLS (Transport Layer Security), it’s vulnerable to man-in-middle attacks. Hence, you might experience connectivity issues while browsing the web.
Conclusion
As you’ve already learned there are different types of VPN protocols available that make one VPN different from the other. Due to this one might start thinking about what type of VPN is used on Windows platforms.
Well, the answer to this question depends on whether the user is using a Windows stock VPN or a third-party network. If the user is using a third-party service, then the above three mentioned protocols are commonly used for all types of VPNs.
However, if the user is using a Windows specific VPN then he should rely on the Microsoft protocols. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and have learned something new and interested. Please share this article with your friends and family on social media too!
