VPN Assignment
VPN Assignment
VPN Assignment
2128500
VPNs are utilized for virtual privacy by both corporations and regular internet users. Businesses
can employ VPNs to ensure that only approved, encrypted channels are being used by external
users to access their data center. VPNs can also be utilized to connect to a database maintained
by the same company but in a different location. VPNs can also be used to provide distant
employees, independent contractors in the gig economy, and business travelers access to
software located on proprietary networks. The user must be authorized to use the virtual private
network and submit one or more authentication factors in order to access a restricted resource
using a VPN. They could be biometric information, security tokens, or passwords.An attacker
may access an internet user's browsing history or IP address while they are browsing the web.
Users can feel secure using a VPN if privacy is a concern. Most consumers value a VPN's
encryption, anonymity, and ability to circumvent geographically restricted material (Anon., n.d.).
3. Explain the following VPN protocol's purpose:
1. PPTP [10 marks]
2. L2TP [10 marks]
3. IPSec [10 marks]
4. SSL VPN [10 marks]
Businesses use SSL VPNs to protect the internet sessions of users connecting to the internet from
outside the company as well as to give remote users secure access to organizational resources.
SSL VPNs encrypt all network traffic and give the appearance that a user is on the local network
regardless of location, allowing users to access restricted network resources remotely via a
secure and authenticated gateway. To stop unauthorized parties from listening in on network
connections and stealing or changing sensitive data, using an SSL VPN product is the main
justification. For remote connections to private enterprise networks, telecommuters, contractors,
and enterprise employees have secure and adaptable solutions with SSL VPN systems
(ROSANCRANCE L, 2021)
5. What are advantages and disadvantages of VPN [20 marks]
Advantages of VPN.
Provide Safety through Anonymity
The two main benefits of using a VPN are anonymity and privacy. VPN services use encryption
to protect connections to the public internet. Also, they conceal online activities from nefarious
parties like hackers and other cybercriminals. By gathering personal information, websites and
apps aim to follow users and keep track of their online activity. By restricting access to the user's
connection, VPNs can stop that from happening. The user is automatically rendered anonymous
when all internet traffic leaving and entering the user's device is encrypted. The majority of
reliable VPN providers offer their users AES 256-bit encryption, which is regarded as the highest
level of military-grade protection available.
Disadvantages of a VPN
A VPN May Decrease Your Speed
Data sent to a VPN server, which can be almost anywhere in the world, must first be encrypted
by the VPN before being sent by the user. The data must first go from the server to its final
destination before being sent back to the user along the same path. Although the best VPNs can
reduce it, the user's internet speed will be slower due to the greater distance that the data must
travel.
Dropped Connections
VPN services may lose secure connections because of the internet's innate chaos. Dropped
connections have the potential to cause data leaks, which jeopardize user security, privacy, and
anonymity. The majority of top-tier VPNs contain a kill switch functionality to alleviate this
issue, but if it is absent or malfunctions improperly, the user's actual IP address may be made
public.
A VPN Isn’t Legal in All Countries
Depending on the user's location, using a VPN may or may not be permitted. Some countries
don't want their people accessing materials that they deem inappropriate for consumption. Such
governments either outright ban or penalize using a VPN depending on the circumstance. The
legality of a VPN service is a problem that all VPN customers must deal with because laws are
constantly changing. Users should always confirm that using a VPN is permitted in their area.
Using the Wrong VPN Can Put Your Privacy in Danger
For the user's privacy and anonymity, picking the wrong VPN might be disastrous. A VPN
service is probably not good for privacy or online security if it does not have a strong reputation
on various forums and review websites. Also, customers have access to a variety of VPNs for a
variety of uses. A user who merely wants to access Netflix or Amazon Prime Video may be able
to get by using a VPN that places more of an emphasis on unblocking capabilities than on
privacy or security. But, it's terrible news if a user decides to subscribe to a VPN for streaming
because they are worried about their privacy, security, or anonymity. The user must be willing to
trust the VPN with their personal information in order to sign up for a VPN service (GAILLE L,
2020).