What should you consider when setting up a VPN?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. VPNs can help you protect your privacy, access geo-restricted content, and bypass censorship. However, setting up a VPN is not as simple as clicking a button. There are several factors that you should consider before choosing and configuring a VPN. Here are some of them.

1 VPN Type

There are different types of VPNs, such as site-to-site, client-to-server, and peer-to-peer. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, site-to-site VPNs are suitable for connecting multiple locations or networks, while client-to-server VPNs are more common for individual users. Peer-to-peer VPNs are decentralized and rely on other users to share bandwidth and resources. You should research the pros and cons of each type and decide which one fits your use case.

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Jorge Flávio

Knowledge Management and Security Policy Revision Support @ NATO at Vector Synergy | Cybersecurity, GRC, IT Compliance | Working on Zero Trust
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The choice of VPN (Virtual Private Network) type is crucial when setting up a VPN, as different types offer varying levels of security, performance, and functionality. Here are some key considerations and the importance of VPN types: - Security Protocols: -- IPSec (Internet Protocol Security); -- OpenVPN; -- L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPSec). - Authentication and Encryption; - Ease of Setup and Use; - Scalability; - Device Compatibility; - Speed and Performance; - Logging Policies; - Geographical Considerations; - Cost; - Purpose of VPN; - Redundancy and Failover; By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a VPN type that aligns with your organisation's needs, security requirements, and performance expectations.

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Harish Ahmad

DevOps Engineer at Ericsson
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common use cases site to site:- when you need to connect two diffrent gio location location network into one common network. client to server:- individual connection might be app or user or to proxy internet for browsing

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molisertrust Numérique

Agence de communication capable de créer des sites internet et de proposer toutes les prestations liées au web marketing
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Type of VPN: Decide between a site-to-site VPN (connecting entire networks) and a remote access VPN (connecting individual users or devices to a network). Security Protocols: Choose appropriate security protocols based on your requirements. Common protocols include: IPsec (Internet Protocol Security): Provides a secure connection over the internet. SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security): Often used for remote access VPNs. OpenVPN: An open-source protocol known for its flexibility and security. Authentication and Authorization: Implement strong user authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security. Define access controls and permissions based on user roles and responsibilities.

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Jose Bredariol Junior

CISSP | Cloud Specialist | Data Protection Officer | Security Specialist | AWS
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FIrst, the type of VPN (Site to site or Remote Access) than we can consider: - Compliance and Legal requirements - Protocol - Encryption Standards - Authentication - Compatibility - Scalability - And others

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2 VPN Protocol

A VPN protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how the VPN operates and communicates. Different protocols have different levels of security, speed, and compatibility. Some of the most popular protocols are OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, and WireGuard. Each protocol has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some may not work with certain devices or platforms. You should choose a protocol that offers the best balance of security and performance for your needs.

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Harish Ahmad

DevOps Engineer at Ericsson
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performance wise Wireguard is faster easy to configure due opensource project provide good abstraction over it. sstp is kind of windows property protocol lack of support for Linux environment

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3 VPN Server

A VPN server is the remote location that your device connects to when using a VPN. The server acts as a gateway between your device and the internet, and it can affect your speed, latency, and access to content. You should consider the location, capacity, and reputation of the VPN server before selecting one. Generally, the closer the server is to your physical location, the faster and more reliable your connection will be. However, you may also want to choose a server in a different country or region if you want to access geo-restricted content or avoid censorship.

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Harish Ahmad

DevOps Engineer at Ericsson
(edited)
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please don't consider your server to be in chaina, or North Korea etc. even the VPN encrypts data, but still you may seem bandwidth ran out issue like due ISPs firewall restrictions there.

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4 VPN Features

Different VPNs offer different features that can enhance your experience and security. Some of the features that you should look for are encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and multi-hop. Encryption is the process of scrambling your data to prevent anyone from reading it. A kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. DNS leak protection is a feature that prevents your DNS requests from being exposed to your ISP or third parties. Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which ones don't. Multi-hop is a feature that routes your traffic through two or more VPN servers for extra security.

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Harish Ahmad

DevOps Engineer at Ericsson
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one of the major thing to consider as a feature in VPN is split tunneling, split tunneling may save your lots of data transfer bills and VPN bandwidth, if you required only a list of services/apps/websites needed to be accessed from your local to VPN servers

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5 VPN Cost

The cost of a VPN can vary depending on the provider, the plan, and the features. Some VPNs are free, while others charge a monthly or yearly fee. Free VPNs may seem tempting, but they often have limitations, such as low speed, limited bandwidth, fewer servers, and poor security. Paid VPNs usually offer better quality, more options, and more support. However, not all paid VPNs are equal, and some may be overpriced or unreliable. You should compare the prices and features of different VPNs and look for reviews and ratings from other users before making a decision.

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Harish Ahmad

DevOps Engineer at Ericsson
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netmaker is one of the best choise if you want to go for self hosted VPN covers most of the use cases. based on wiregaourd and with multi device support windows/Linux android/Mac etc

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6 VPN Policy

The policy of a VPN is the set of rules and terms that govern how the VPN handles your data and privacy. You should read and understand the policy of the VPN before using it, as it may contain important information about the VPN's logging, sharing, and retention of your data. Some VPNs may claim to be no-log or zero-log, meaning that they do not collect or store any information about your activity or identity. However, some VPNs may still keep some logs for technical or legal reasons, or may share your data with third parties, such as advertisers, authorities, or affiliates. You should look for a VPN that has a clear and transparent policy that respects your privacy and security.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What should you consider when setting up a VPN?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 VPN Type

2 VPN Protocol

3 VPN Server

4 VPN Features

5 VPN Cost

6 VPN Policy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Networking

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What should you consider when setting up a VPN?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 VPN Type

2 VPN Protocol

3 VPN Server

4 VPN Features

5 VPN Cost

6 VPN Policy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Networking

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