OpenVPN

Pros

• Thorough and secure VPN client and server
• Many options can be changed
• Open source and free

Cons

• Requires expertise to use
• Changing settings means editing text files
• Limited documentation

OpenVPN is an application that allows users to establish a secure connection between two points over the Internet using advanced protocols. It is important to note that OpenVPN is actually several different pieces of software all in one. It has drivers for working through a virtual private network (VPN), server software for creating a secure point on the Internet and a client for regular users. Several clients are available for OpenVPN. Some of these clients charge for service and are advertised directly by OpenVPN. The real OpenVPN client is actually difficult to difficult to use.

OpenVPN is a free and open source program that has been developed by a dedicated community of people for some time. The OpenVPN software has been so effective and successful that it is regularly integrated into firmware, devices and servers. Although OpenVPN advertises a graphical client, the reality is that the client only provides a superficial series of settings that do not affect core behaviors. One of the benefits of OpenVPN is that the client has been ported to many different platforms. They are all able to connect to each other. There are even clients available for mobile devices that can connect securely to people on desktop computers.

OpenVPN is not a program that is designed for novices. The application requires some expertise to use. One of the first issues is that changing some of the core settings requires opening and editing a few different text files. This is the only way to add new servers or address. Editing text files is also the only way to add new keys for authentication. The graphical client is really only useful for switching between servers. A larger issue is that there is limited documentation for average OpenVPN users. Most is for people running a server or doing development.

OpenVPN makes it possible to establish very secure connections to other points on the Internet. A VPN is a collection of protocols designed to hide or obfuscate data moving across networks. OpenVPN largely uses secure socket layers and the new transfer layer security protocols. It also employs tunneling. Tunneling means that data packets are wrapped inside dummy packets. Any system, hacker or network service examining the packet will see only the dummy information. This makes it possible to hide data. It also increases the level of security and the complexity of the 256-bit encryption.

It is possible to use OpenVPN to connect directly to another person using the software. Authentication can be done by exchanging keys ahead of time, using passwords or using a third-party certificate authentication service. OpenVPN can be used to protect the privacy of people who are online. The protocols can mask the origin of a packet, the contents and the destination. Users can use OpenVPN to access geographically locked services in this way. Although OpenVPN is powerful, it is not for people unfamiliar with computers and networking.

Pros

• Thorough and secure VPN client and server
• Many options can be changed
• Open source and free

Cons

• Requires expertise to use
• Changing settings means editing text files
• Limited documentation