Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are a service that is designed to protect your data by creating an encrypted tunnel through which your information travels to a server and then beyond to the rest of the internet. While your data is in this tunnel, it is protected through encryption protocols that are almost impossible to break without the key that only your computer holds. This is achieved through what’s known as VPN encryption protocols, which are softwares that were specifically designed to improve your internet security.
VPN Protocols: PPTP or Point to Point Tunneling Protocol
PPTP is probably the most popular protocol available, but it is also the one that offers the least security. Most people choose to use it because it’s faster than other protocols and is also easier to work with. It can be used on almost any device, computer or operating system and there’s no need for a software installation to make it work. In fact, most operating systems actually already have in-built support for PPTP. This makes it an excellent choice for people who use devices other than a desktop computer to connect to the internet. The only downside of this choice of protocol is that you will not be as secure as it’s possible to be and you will be easier for third parties to detect and block.
VPN Protocols: L2TP or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol
L2TP is essentially the next step up from PPTP. It is a bit more secure than PPTP, but the sacrifice is ease of use. It will work on quite a lot of different operating systems and various devices and, again, it does not need you to install specialized software before it can run. It’s not a particularly difficult protocol to work with and it comes with the benefit of additional security, which makes it a good choice if you need to have freedom to use different devices but you also can’t make do with the basic security that PPTP offers.
VPN Protocols: OpenVPN
The most secure of all the VPN protocols on offer, OpenVPN is capable of bypassing almost any blocking or censorship mechanism. It can get you through the most difficult firewalls in a way that its fellow protocols simply can’t do and will keep you more secure while it does so. However, you should be aware that it’s also the most costly of the available protocol options and you will need to install a software client to be able to use it. It also does not work with every operating system and device, which will limit your options when connecting to the internet. If you really do need the very best security on offer, though, you can’t go wrong with OpenVPN.
Our experts have performed an independent review of the available VPN providers in an effort to make it much, much easier for you to select the VPN service with the right protocols for you:
| Rank | Provider Name | Starting Price | Money Back Guarantee |
Visit Provider Site |
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ExpressVPN | $6.67/month | 30 Days |  |
| 2 | IPVanish | $10.00/month | 7 Days | |
| 3 | Hidemyass | $11.52/month | 30 Days | |
| 4 | VyprVPN | $10.00/month | 7 Days | |
| 5 | StrongVPN | $21/ 3 months | 7 Days | |
