VPN (virtual private network) technology has been in the works for a long time. When the internet became a viable option, corporations like Microsoft saw the need to develop methods to secure it.
In 1996, a Microsoft employee invented the first VPN deployment technique. PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), initially released in 1999 by a vendor consortium comprised of Microsoft, Ascend Communications, 3Com, and others, encapsulated PPTP packets using a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) channel and a GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel.
First and foremost, a VPN primer
A virtual private network (VPN) is a security solution that masks users’ networks and devices, offering them more privacy when surfing the web and making it much more difficult for thieves to get access to their systems. Unlike antivirus software, which protects the end-user device from infection, a VPN increases the security of the internet connection itself.
There are several reasons why consumers today prefer VPNs. The most prevalent is a reliance on public internet connections, which are routinely used by cyberattackers. Connecting to Wi-Fi with a VPN eliminates practically all of the risks associated with surfing the internet on a public network.
The Very First VPNs
VPNs may trace their origins back to the early days of the internet. In the 1960s, US military intelligence experimented with remotely linking computers and computer networks, resulting in the development of ARPANET, the original internet. Throughout the 1980s, many of the world’s top corporations, such as IBM and AT&T, embraced internet technology to facilitate communication within and between their offices, and the internet evolved into what we know today.
TCP/IP protocols, which were developed by the military, govern how information is packed, transferred, and received across the internet. The protocol encrypts data packets and stamps them with information that tells servers where the data originated from and where it is meant to go. While the system works well, it is insecure; anybody may monitor internet traffic and extract information that they find interesting or useful.
In the 1990s, a number of researchers attempted to improve internet security. To enable for safer, more private internet access, encryption, tunneling, encapsulation, and other protocols were created — and the first VPNs were formed. VPNs, like the internet, were mostly utilized by large organizations until the early 2000s, when home users were interested in gaining additional protection when connected to the internet.
Today, there are three types of VPNs that users may use to secure themselves when connecting to the internet:
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) (SSL). SSLs, the most widely utilized VPN, are used in the majority of ecommerce transactions. Websites that accept payments must install SSL certificates on their servers, which protect payment information while it is sent by the user through the browser and onto the server.
Protocol Security on the Internet (IPSec). IPSec authenticates data, encrypts it, transfers it, checks the data’s integrity, and receives it twice or more. This helps to defend against many types of cyberattacks. With more uses than SSL, IPSec is the sort of secure VPN that people choose when they want to strengthen the security of their connections.
Mobile. Mobile VPNs were created to assist mobile users stay safe while on the go. Because mobile devices have fewer dependable connections, less memory, and less power, mobile VPNs use sophisticated data compression to minimize significant performance loss.
VPN in the Future
Although VPNs are unquestionably useful for the average Joe, it is crucial to recognize that they are unlikely to withstand government intrusion. For quite some time, the NSA has been unlawfully eavesdropping on American individuals, and the Fourteen Eyes are known to collect and exchange our signal conversations.
There is insufficient evidence to support the idea that a common brand VPN is immune to government tampering. On the contrary, VPN services are subject to particular country regulations and can be circumvented by government agents.
This should not be an issue for most individuals who aren’t involved in illegal behavior, but it does highlight the need of using a VPN in the first place. As nations such as Russia and China continue to strictly limit VPN use, it is clear that the future of virtual private networks is bleak.
However, one thing is certain: VPNs are very necessary. Because of the current condition of the Internet, we are continuously exposed to assault or invasion. With ransomware hurting or infecting everything from banks and hospitals to chain restaurants and big box retailers, there is no better moment for organizations and people to take preventative precautions.
Users will need to purchase their own VPN gear to protect themselves from online threats.
