OpenVPN Review - Is it the Right VPN for Your Needs?

OpenVPN has come a long way, and is a great tool for security, speed, and flexibility. But, is it the right VPN for your needs?

Security

OpenVPN is a VPN protocol used by millions of users around the world. It offers the best combination of security and speed. However, it is important to remember that there are other options available. A VPN has a lot of different uses, from securing your network to allowing you to access blocked content.

The best and most secure VPNs use a variety of encryption methods. The OpenSSL library includes a wide range of hardened ciphers. This allows your VPN client to create a secret key for a secure connection between you and your server.

Another advantage of using a VPN is that you can encrypt data and prevent your device from being hijacked. Some protocols include a kill switch. These kill switches will ensure that your traffic is not sent out the open internet. They can be either firewall-based or reactive. You can choose between the two depending on your needs.

There are two types of firewall-based kill switches. The first is a reactive type that is activated when you connect to a VPN server. The second type is a firewall-based type that is enabled at the time of installation. This type is more reliable than a reactive type.

Choosing the right type of VPN is essential. For example, if you need a VPN that can bypass the Great Firewall of China, then you should select a protocol that has the capabilities to break through this firewall.

Another important factor to consider is whether or not a VPN is compatible with your operating system. If you have an older OS, you may not be able to install native apps that support the protocol. Also, you need to consider the privacy of your VPN service. To keep your privacy, you need to make sure your VPN provider does not store logs or records.

OpenVPN is a widely-used open source software application that can be downloaded and installed on nearly any platform. It is also extremely flexible and configurable. In addition, it supports a broad range of cryptographic algorithms. Despite its flexibility, it has been continuously re-tested and improved since it was first released in 2001.

Speed

OpenVPN is an open source VPN protocol which has been around for many years and is currently the gold standard in the VPN world. However, it has its drawbacks. It is not a perfect VPN, and there are a few issues which can slow down your connection.

The OpenVPN protocol is based on the OpenSSL library, which supports a variety of cryptographic methods and algorithms. These include AES, Blowfish, DES, ChaCha20, and Poly1035 for authentication. This makes OpenVPN a flexible option, but it can also be confusing to navigate.

The OpenVPN protocol can be used on a variety of platforms and operating systems. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and FreeBSD, among others. While it can be difficult to setup, it offers great security and privacy, and is easily customizable.

Compared to other protocols, OpenVPN's main disadvantage is that it cannot deliver super fast speeds. For example, on lower-end hardware, you won't get more than about 10 Mbit/s from it. You can try to boost your speed, though.

To improve your connection, you can try using Split tunneling. Basically, you'll "split" your VPN traffic between TCP and UDP, which will give you more speed. On the downside, however, this means that your unencrypted traffic will be ignored. Also, it can be hard to choose the best server, since not all providers have optimized their servers to give you the fastest speed.

Another issue with OpenVPN is the distance between you and the server. Generally, it takes longer to connect to a server that is farther away, and this can cause noticeable delays. But, some providers will allow you to select a remote location to make the switch.

WireGuard is another VPN option, which can provide significantly faster speeds. Unlike OpenVPN, it uses multiple processors for faster encryption and has multi-threading support. In addition, it is integrated into the kernel. As a result, it can deliver faster speeds on short distances.

However, WireGuard is relatively young. Although it has a code base, it is still in the nascent stages, and some VPN services haven't yet optimised it for optimal performance.

Multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication in OpenVPN adds an extra layer of security to your remote access. This is especially important in today's cyber-connected world. It ensures that unauthorized individuals cannot access your network and sensitive data. You can learn more about how to use OpenVPN with multi-factor authentication in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

There are a number of different ways to implement MFA on an OpenVPN server. Some methods require a third party application to be installed on your server. Others involve using a mobile device or a cellular connection. If you decide to implement this type of security, make sure you choose a solution that is easy to install and implement.

Many of the best MFA solutions offer users the ability to consolidate their logins across multiple applications and services. These centralized identity providers can also help prevent account takeovers. However, it's important to find an adaptive solution that doesn't over-complicate your system. A non-intrusive and easy-to-use solution is key to the success of your MFA strategy.

One of the simplest ways to add MFA to your OpenVPN system is to use a two-factor authentication solution. Typically, this means you'll need to enroll an Authenticator app on your mobile phone or device. For example, you could use Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

Another popular way to secure your VPN is to utilize a cloud-based MFA solution. Companies such as WatchGuard and Okta offer these products. They're both simple to set up and easy to manage. Plus, they can protect your VPN by using factors such as physical security tokens and one-time passwords.

OpenVPN has support for Multi-factor Authentication through python scripts and deferred C plugins. While these methods have some limitations, they are a good starting point for adding MFA to your OpenVPN server.

For a secure and robust OpenVPN environment, you can also use MFA with a standalone Time-based One-time Password (TOTP) application. Using TOTP requires the installation of a TOTP app on your mobile device, as well as a data connection. Once you've installed the TOTP app, you'll need to create a Local User, which is used to configure the VPN.

Kill switch

A VPN kill switch is a software feature that monitors your VPN connection and cuts it off if it fails. It protects your IP address and data. If you don't have a kill switch, your real IP address will be exposed when you disconnect from the VPN. You won't be able to access the internet.

Some VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN Free don't have reliable kill switches. However, there are other excellent VPN providers that provide a kill switch.

Most VPN providers offer a passive kill switch that automatically shuts down the VPN when the signal is lost. However, there are also active kill switches that require a delay before the device stops communicating with the VPN server. This may be beneficial for certain use cases.

Another advantage of using a kill switch is that you can choose which apps you want to stop connecting to the Internet. This is particularly useful when torrenting.

The downside of a kill switch is that it won't work when the network quality is poor. For example, if the Wi-Fi connection is unstable, the VPN kill switch won't do much. Also, if your VPN provider has a bad uptime record, it could cause your data to be unprotected for a period of time.

Using a kill switch can be a good idea if you have a large amount of data that you need to keep private. Even if you don't, you still need to be careful about how you connect to the internet. Heavy use of the Internet can cause your ISP to throttle you, and it can make your Wi-Fi connection choppy.

When you need to stay anonymous, it's important to keep your real IP address from being visible. Using a VPN is the best way to hide your IP address. Not only does it encrypt your traffic, it also hides your location and keeps your data secure.

It's also possible to add an application level kill switch to your device, which only blocks selected applications from connecting to the Internet. Applications that you use often, such as social networking sites, can help you avoid exposing your real IP address.