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VPN Protocol Strength & Weakness

Oct 03, 2014
Jun 25, 2019
7 Comments
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The following guide will help you understand the benefits of different VPN protocols being offered by PureVPN. However, before you proceed, it is necessary to remember that each protocol provides a unique combination of security and speed.

Benefit of (PPTP) Protocol:

 

  • PPTP is the fastest protocol and does not compromise your internet speed. Security, on the other hand, is at the lowest scale when connecting with PPTP protocol. It provides encryption up to 128bit.
  • It works on TCP Port 1723  and IP port 47 Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE).
  • PPTP protocol is best for streaming and other browsing situations when you are connected to a comparably safer network.

Benefit of (L2TP/IPSec) Protocol:

  • L2TP/IPSec is more secure than PPTP and provides encryption level up to 256 bit .
  • L2TP is a combination of PPTP and Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F), a technology developed by Cisco Systems, Inc. L2TP uses IPsec in Transport Mode for encryption services. The combination of L2TP and IPsec is known as L2TP/IPsec.
  • It works on UDP Port 1701, 4500 (Used by IPSec) and 50 (sed by data path (ESP)

Benefit of (SSTP) Protocol:

  • SSTP is the safest protocol among all. However, your internet speed, will definitely be compromised when connecting with SSTP protocol.
  • SSTP protocol is best suited for highly confidential online activities like banking transactions, e-commerce transactions or business communications.
  • SSTP VPN is Microsoft’s SSL VPN which encapsulates PPP packets over an HTTPS session, it’s more secured than PPTP/L2TP and it’s difficult to be block by ISP. Not like PPTP/L2TP connection, SSTP VPN connection work on 443 port.
  • It is best of school network or office network where PPTP and L2TP are blocked.

Benefit of IKEv2 Protocol:

  • IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol that uses the IPsec Tunnel Mode protocol over UDP port 500
  • IKEv2 encapsulates datagrams by using IPsec ESP (UDP Port 50) or AH headers for transmission over the network.

  • It provides encryption level up to 256 bit.
  • IKEv2 VPN provides resilience to the VPN client when the client moves from one wireless hotspot to another or when it switches from a wireless to a wired connection

Benefit of (OpenVPN) Protocol:

  • OpenVPN is an open source technique utilizing Virtual Private Network to construct an encrypted bridge between two end points.
  • We offer OpenVPN on UDP Port 53 and TCP 80.
  • OpenVPN Provides encryption level up to 256 bit.
  • It is most commonly used in devices like Routers. OpenVPN protocol gives you the best speed with reliable online security.

Please use the comment box for your suggestions & feedback. For additional help, please submit support ticket with errors and screen shots (if possible) OR Contact our 24/7 live chat.

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Comments (7 )

7 Comments

  1. PureVPN Team says:

    Hi,

    Its a good question. Both tcp and udp are part of Open Protocol, SSTP and ikev2 protocols are considered to provide more security compare to OpenVPN hence OpenVPN protocols 4/5 and SSTP/ikev2 are 5/5

    Hope this answers your query, feel free to comment if you still have any question/confusion!

  2. Dondollari says:

    There are UDP and TCP options in the Purevpn Windows software, but there’s no info about the exact protocol. Are they powered by OpenVPN? If so, why their security rating is 4 of 5, whereas SSTP and IKEV have 5/5 rating? OpenVPN is considred the safest VPN protocol. For instance, SSTP may have backdoors as it’s developed by Microsoft.

  3. ImUrOBGYN . says:

    I see an option now for Auto Protocols. Is there anything wrong with simply checking this option? I primarily use PVPN for streaming and p2p from home.

    • PureVPN Team says:

      Hi,

      Thanks for reaching out to us. You can check “Auto Protocol” there is nothing wrong, it is completely safe and secure.

      Let us know if you have further questions!

  4. Chapman says:

    What’s the difference between connecting via UDP and TCP? Is one more secure or faster than the other? Thanks!

    • PureVPN Team says:

      Hi,

      Thanks for reaching out to us. You can try both and check which works best for your desired Purpose.

      Feel free to contact us if you have further question/suggestion!

    • Trond Kandal says:

      TCP will always guarantee delivery even if it means sending the same packet over and over. You will typically use TCP for ensuring delivery,- but it comes with an overhead. UDP on the other hand have no delivery-guarantee. UDP is therefore much simpler and faster.