Different Types of VPN and When can You Use Them

VPN or Virtual Private Network helps in establishing a protected network connection when you are browsing the internet. When you install a VPN on your device, it encrypts the network and hides your online identity. So, cybercriminals can’t track your activities over the internet or steal your data.

With such an increase in cybercrime, almost everybody knows about VPNs. But do you know that there are different types of them? Yes, you read that right. There are different types of VPNs that are used for different purposes.

VPNs come in different shapes and sizes. But distinguishing between them can be a little overwhelming. Don’t worry! We are going to explain the different VPNs in detail.

But before moving on, you should know that there is a difference between VPN technology and VPN services.

Read: Is VPN the best way to hide your data on the Internet

Difference Between VPN Technology and VPN Service

A VPN network is a secure and private connection that is established between the device and the destination. The VPN network uses a VPN protocol for encrypting and hiding your traffic. It is the VPN technology that works to keep your data safe.

VPN services on the other hand are a package, including various kinds of VPN technology along with some added benefits.

You can use one VPN technology at a time. But you will have the option to switch between them through your VPN service.

Now, let’s get to the different types of VPNs.

Types of VPN

There are mainly three types of VPNs and we will take a closer look at them in this section.

Remote Access VPN

Remote Access VPN is the most common VPN. If you have used a VPN personally, you might already have some experience with it.

Read: How to Fix the Four Biggest Problems with VPN Connections in Canada 

This kind of VPN will connect you to a remote server that has been secured to give you access to a private network. Since it comes with additional encryption, you are completely secured.

The Remote Access VPN actually allows you to use the internet to connect to a private network. Commercial VPN services are built on this foundation. The VPN provider will let you use the network when you browse the internet. As your sent and received are hidden, you can browse in absolute privacy.

When Can You Use Remote Access VPN?

There are various ways to use Remote Access VPN.

• If you are a business traveler, you can use it to connect to the company’s network from your hotel’s Wi-Fi. You can access all your official software and files. There is no need to worry about security as the VPN keeps your data safe from snooping.
• When you are working from home, you can use this type of VPN for accessing your company’s network. The system works like it is connected to the office network and your data also remains protected.

Read: Benefits of using VPN while working at Home

Mobile VPNs

Remote Access VPN lets you connect to a local network from anywhere you want but they assume that you are going to stay in one location. Once the VPN gets disconnected, the IP tunnel will close down.

In such a case, you have to use a mobile VPN. With this, even if you switch to a cellular network from a Wi-Fi connection, you don’t lose the VPN connection. You can use a mobile VPN on all mobile devices.

When Can You Use a Mobile VPN?

By using a mobile VPN, a mobile worker ensures constant availability. It is a VPN that can bear all connection changes. Some examples of mobile VPN usage are given below-

• Police officers and firefighters can use mobile VPN to use applications, such as automatic vehicle location, vehicle registration database, etc.
• If you are working from home and experiencing poor connectivity, use a mobile VPN for maintaining VPN access to the office all day long, even if the connection drops or is lost.

Read: How to Install OpenVPN on Ubuntu 16.04 And 18.04

Site-to-Site VPNs

As the name suggests, a site-to-site network joints two networks to two sites. The primary aim of this VPN is to offer multiple users in different fixed locations the ability to access the resources of each other.

For instance, if a company has two offices on the west coast and east coast, a site-to-site VPN can be used for combining them into one network. To implement site-to-site VPN, you can use different technologies, such as L3VPN, IPsec, and Dynamic MultiPoint.

Site-to-site VPNs are often used in large-scale businesses where they have to secure communication between different departments across the world. But they are not easy to implement since you will need hard-to-get resources and specialized equipment. It doesn’t come with the flexibility that you can enjoy with commercial VPN services.

When Can You Use a Site-to-Site VPN?

Based on the owner of the two networks being joints, there are mainly two types of site-to-site VPN.

• Intranet-Based VPN: When the two networks you are connecting belong to one company, the combined VPN is called an intranet-based VPN. With this, the company can have one wide area network (WAN) extending to two or more offices. The employees of the company can use the other site to access important resources just as they do on their own site.
• Extranet-Based VPN: If the two networks that are being connected belong to two different companies, the VPN is called extranet-based VPN. It is used when a company has to connect to its supplier’s network and trade efficiently.

Bottom Line

The three types of VPNs mentioned here have different applications. So, you can easily choose between them. Remote Access and Mobile VPN will offer remote access to a private network. While site-to-site VPN enables a business to combine their network from various locations into one network known as the intranet.

If you know what VPN to use but don’t know which VPN provider to choose, check out The Fast VPN. It is one of the most reliable VPN providers in the market and can protect all your devices. Once you install this on your device, you can enjoy a stable and fast connection anywhere you want. The VPN server has servers in 50 countries to provide you with the fastest VPN experience.