VPN Protocols Comparison: PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, SSTP, OpenVPN

In today’s digital age, where privacy protection and data security are invaluable, understanding and choosing the right VPN protocol becomes crucial. When searching for the ideal VPN service, we often encounter VPN protocol names like …

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In today’s digital age, where privacy protection and data security are invaluable, understanding and choosing the right VPN protocol becomes crucial. When searching for the ideal VPN service, we often encounter VPN protocol names like PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. For many not familiar with networking technologies, these can seem enigmatic and complex.

What are the differences between these protocols? Are they compatible with your operating system and mobile devices? How do they affect the security and privacy of your data? Choosing the right VPN protocol is crucial for the quality of connection, security, and privacy provided by the VPN service. In this article, we will closely examine and explain the key aspects of each of these VPN protocols to help you make an informed choice.

What is a Communication Protocol?

Before diving into VPN protocol descriptions and comparisons, let’s define what a communication protocol is and its role in the internet. It can be described as a set of strictly defined rules and principles, whose execution in the right order enables information exchange between two devices. Each protocol has a standard that fully defines all operations related to its process.

Daily internet usage relies on the work of many different protocols responsible for information exchange. Names like HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, POP3, SMTP, IMAP, IP, TCP, and UDP might sound familiar – these are just some of the protocols you use every day.

What is a VPN Protocol and How Does It Work?

VPN operation requires specific protocols for proper functioning. VPN protocols are sets of defined rules and principles, enabling user authentication, data encryption, secure data transmission, and receipt from the destination. There are some differences between the protocols most VPNs operate on, which we will explore. Depending on needs and expectations, certain features of VPN protocols may be seen as disadvantages by some users and advantages by others.

We’ll also explain two key concepts that will recur throughout the text: key length and encryption algorithm.

Key Length

Key length refers to the number of bits used by the encryption algorithm. In non-technical language, it’s the length of information (a string of characters) used by the encryption algorithm to encrypt and decrypt messages. The key length determines the security level of the algorithm. The longer the key, the better it protects the encrypted message (a longer key requires more computational power to break). It’s also worth mentioning that the longer the key, the longer it takes to encrypt and decrypt information.

The most common key lengths are 128, 192, and 256 bits. While 128-bit keys are currently considered unbreakable with available computational resources, more and more security experts suggest using 256-bit keys. The obvious advantage of shorter keys is faster encryption and decryption, but this comes at the expense of security.

Encryption Algorithm

The encryption algorithm is a mathematical mechanism that encrypts information using an encryption key. Most used VPNs use the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm for encrypting information, SHA–1 or SHA–2 hash functions for authentication (generating a short string of characters that verifies if the transmitted content has not been modified), and the RSA algorithm for encrypting keys. AES is currently considered the most secure and has become a kind of standard.

In VPN offerings or application configurations, you often find the following parameters:

  • Data encryption: AES–256
  • Data authentication: SHA–1
  • Handshake: RSA–4096

This means that the VPN uses the AES algorithm with a 256-bit key length for data encryption, SHA–1 hash function, and RSA–4096 algorithm for key encryption and decryption.

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PPTP Protocol

PPTP, or Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, is a basic protocol enabling VPN connection. Using PPTP is not currently recommended, as it is considered broken and does not guarantee security.

The PPTP standard was developed in 1999 by a group of technology companies led by Microsoft. Consequently, the Windows operating system supports it starting from Windows 98 and NT versions. Due to its simplicity and ease of implementation, it was a protocol supported by virtually all systems and devices for a time. However, its default availability on systems and devices is gradually being phased out (latest versions of Apple’s macOS Sierra and iOS 10 no longer support PPTP).

Unfortunately, simplicity and ubiquity do not go hand in hand with security. Microsoft itself advises against using this protocol. If you are serious about security online, it is definitely better to choose safer protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, or SSTP for VPN connections.

In the case of PPTP, encryption is performed using MPPE (Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption), based on the 128-bit RC4 algorithm, while authentication can be handled by MS-CHAP v2 or EAP-TLS.

Pros:

  • Default availability on most systems and devices
  • Fastest protocol, simplicity does not affect connection speed
  • Simple in operation, configuration, and launch

Cons:

  • Lack of strong, secure encryption
  • Compromised

L2TP/IPSec Protocol

L2TP/IPSec combines two separate protocols to enable secure and encrypted VPN connections. L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) does not provide encryption or data transmission security on its own; it only serves to establish a connection and data transmission. An additional set of protocols is needed for encryption and authentication. Therefore, L2TP is most commonly paired with IPSec, a set of protocols responsible for authenticating and encrypting packets transmitted via L2TP. L2TP’s role is to create a tunnel between two points, while IPSec ensures security by encrypting the transmitted data.

L2TP/IPSec operates on UDP port 500, making it easier to block by firewalls than protocols that allow choosing which port to operate on or connect through port 443 (SSL). This can be a serious drawback of this protocol if your internet provider blocks VPNs or if you want to disguise using this type of service. L2TP/IPSec may sometimes be the only option for using a VPN on older systems and devices where newer and better solutions like IKEv2 or OpenVPN cannot be implemented.

In terms of encryption, L2TP/IPSec can secure data transmission using algorithms such as AES–256, AES–192, AES–128, or 3DES, ensuring a high security standard.

L2TP/IPSec is considered a secure protocol. However, with information disclosed by Edward Snowden and recent data leaks from the CIA, there are suspicions that IPSec might have been compromised or subjected to pressures to weaken it intentionally. To date, this has not been confirmed and remains in the realm of speculation, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Pros:

  • Fast
  • Easy to configure
  • Widely available on most systems, so it doesn’t require installing additional applications for operation
  • Secure

Cons:

  • Operates on UDP port 500, making it harder to disguise its use and it can be easily blocked by firewalls
  • Suspicions that IPSec, responsible for security, might have been compromised by the NSA

IKEv2 Protocol

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) was developed jointly by Microsoft and Cisco. Like L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2 relies on IPSec for encryption and data security. It is the second version of the IKE protocol, with significant improvements and enhancements over its predecessor. There are many open-source implementations of IKEv2, such as OpenIKEv2. Like L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2 operates on UDP port 500 and can be easily blocked by firewalls.

The encryption provided by IPSec allows securing transmitted data using algorithms such as AES–256, AES–192, AES–128, or 3DES. The encryption level is strong, but as mentioned earlier, there are doubts about the security of IPSec.

IKEv2 enables continuous maintenance of VPN connections through MOBIKE, which is particularly useful for mobile devices that may temporarily lose connection or switch networks (e.g., from Wi-Fi to 3G).

IKEv2 is available on Windows systems starting from Windows 7 and on Apple products, macOS, and iOS. If you use Android, you need to install an appropriate app that enables connections via this protocol.

Pros:

  • Secure
  • Stable
  • Fast
  • Simple to configure on the user’s side

Cons:

  • Operates on UDP port 500, making it harder to disguise its use and it can be easily blocked by firewalls
  • Doubts about the security of IPSec

SSTP Protocol

The SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) was entirely developed by Microsoft and first introduced in the Windows Vista operating system. Although it is a Microsoft technology (which can be seen as both an advantage and disadvantage), there are applications supporting SSTP on Linux and Apple systems. On Microsoft-produced systems, SSTP is available starting from Windows Vista SP1 or newer, without the need to install additional programs.

By default, a connection based on the SSTP protocol uses SSL/TLS on TCP port 443 for communication, allowing it to pass through most firewalls that block VPN operations. SSL is responsible for encryption, while authentication is handled by EAP-TLS or MS-CHAP. Unfortunately, unlike OpenVPN, SSTP does not have an open source and there is no certainty whether backdoors have been placed in it.

Pros:

  • Secure
  • Available on Windows systems starting from Windows Vista SP1 without the need for additional software installation
  • Supported by Microsoft
  • Can bypass most firewalls

Cons:

  • Developed and maintained by Microsoft, lacks open source and external audit possibilities
  • Mainly operates in a Windows environment (requires installation of external applications on other systems)

OpenVPN Protocol

OpenVPN is a fully open-source-based protocol enabling VPN connections. Its core functionality relies on the OpenSSL library and the SSLv3 and TLSv1 protocols. Unlike IKEv2 and L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN does not use IPSec for encryption but instead utilizes SSL and TLS. It can be configured to operate on any port, including TCP 443, the standard SSL port, allowing it to bypass firewalls that may block VPN connections.

Due to its reliance on the OpenSSL library, OpenVPN can use all encryption algorithms available in the library, such as AES, 3DES, RC5, or Blowfish, offering extensive configuration possibilities. AES is often the preferred choice for its recognized security. Authentication can be through keys, certificates, or username and password.

When using OpenVPN, the typical encryption choices are AES–256 bit or AES–128 bit. The former is more secure but slower than the 128-bit key encryption.

OpenVPN is not natively available on any operating system, but compatible applications exist for virtually all systems: Windows (from XP onwards), macOS, Solaris, Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and QNX. Mobile devices can use client applications for iOS and Android. OpenVPN can also be configured on select routers, ensuring the entire network connects via VPN without individual device configuration.

Most VPN providers base their client applications on OpenVPN. The default OpenVPN application is not user-friendly in terms of configuration, as it requires additional configuration files from the service provider, which can be challenging for less advanced users. Therefore, most VPN providers offer user-friendly, easy-to-use proprietary applications and optionally the necessary data and configuration files for the original OpenVPN app.

Current evidence suggests that no solutions used in OpenVPN for connection security have been compromised, making it the safest among available VPN protocols.

Pros:

  • Open-source code
  • Highly secure
  • Wide choice of encryption algorithms
  • Extensive configuration possibilities

Cons:

  • Configuration (if not using a provider’s application) is much more demanding than with other protocols
  • Requires installing an additional client application

WireGuard Protocol

WireGuard, the latest addition to the growing collection of VPN protocols, represents a significant breakthrough in digital security. Operating as open-source software, it aims to improve upon the solutions provided by IPSec and OpenVPN, offering faster, more intuitive, and efficient service.

Its market debut revolutionized VPN functionality and quickly gained international recognition among cybersecurity experts. Consequently, most VPN service providers rapidly integrated WireGuard into their offerings, making it the cornerstone of their applications and server infrastructure. WireGuard often replaces OpenVPN as the preferred protocol.

WireGuard’s innovations include the latest cryptographic technologies and advanced encryption methods. These provide an exceptionally high level of security and connection stability, enhancing both client and server-side VPN performance. These solutions not only improve efficiency but also minimize potential risks, making WireGuard one of the most promising and advanced VPN protocols.

Pros:

  • Very fast and efficient
  • High security
  • Open-source code
  • Simplicity in implementation

Cons:

  • Lacks solutions for VPN traffic masking, vulnerable to deep packet inspection

Summary

For maximum protection and privacy, OpenVPN and WireGuard are the obvious protocol choices. Following OpenVPN, IKEv2 ranks highly for its user-friendliness, no need for additional applications, and high security level, providing effective internet protection. L2TP/IPSec and SSTP are decent, but the two previously mentioned protocols perform significantly better.

Avoid PPTP if you aim to protect your online privacy and security – it is not considered safe. However, if you only need a VPN to change your IP for purposes like watching a region-blocked film, the VPN protocol’s security level is less critical.

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