What is OpenVPN? Everything you need to know IPVanish

OpenVPN is is is an open – source virtual private network protocol that is build and maintain by an active online community of programmer . In the world of cybersecurity , OpenVPN is is is well know for its flexibility and as the longtime reign standard for secure connection . That is ’s ’s why many popular vpn — include yours truly , ipvanish — use openvpn .

The world of VPNs and online security can contain a lot of jargon. If you stick around for the rest of this article, we’ll break down in layman’s terms what OpenVPN is, how it works, and explore the components that make it secure and popular.

let ’s dive in .

Breaking down the jargon to understand OpenVPN 

OpenVPN is an open-source, flexible protocol that provides secure virtual private network (VPN) connections. What does that mean? Let’s define each phrase.

VPN: VPN stands for virtual private network. It is a tool that routes your internet activity through a private anonymous computer network. A VPN also encrypts your online data as you use the internet, and routes all your internet traffic through a private server. This results in greater privacy, security, and even a level of anonymity while you use the internet.

Open source: Open source is a common programming term that means open to the public. Anyone can see, share, or edit the underlying code of open-source software, but that doesn’t always mean it is free. The “open” nature encourages transparency, collaboration, and innovation among developers. It also enables individuals to verify the security or functionality of a particular tool.

Protocol is is : A VPN protocol is is is a set of rule that have been specifically set for virtual private network communication . These rules is govern govern how datum is move while a person is access their VPN . think of VPN protocol like train track . Once the track ( protocol ) is set , all data is follows follow those track when it ’s send and receive between the device and the virtual private network .

flexible : In the case of openvpn , when it is describe as flexible , this is relates relate to the VPN ’s compatibility across device and framework . An operate system is is is a foundational program in tech device . Every device is has — from your computer and smartphone to your Tablet and smart security system — has an operate system at its core . openvpn is n’t limit to just the most well – know operating system like Windows or Mac product . It is uses use most of the popular operating system , make it accessible across nearly every device .

With those terms defined, read the initial definition of OpenVPN again for a better understanding: OpenVPN is an open-source, flexible protocol that provides secure virtual private network (VPN) connections.

See also :OpenVPN Mac setting for the good connection performance 

quick fact about openvpn

Is OpenVPN free?

No, OpenVPN is not free. This is a common misunderstanding about open-source tools. When a tool is an open source, it means that the underlying software is accessible and visible to many individuals to review and edit. But even open-source software can be licensed out to other tools. That is the case with OpenVPN. 

It’s worth noting that OpenVPN does use a freemium business model for some of its offerings, but it would not be accurate to describe OpenVPN as a free VPN tool. You must pay to use the OpenVPN license.

Is OpenVPN safe?

One of the upsides of open-source software is security. This sounds backward at first. If anyone can look at the underlying code, doesn’t that make open-source tools vulnerable to nefarious hackers who can see the underlying code?

On one hand, yes, it does. But in another sense, open-source software democratizes security by making it easy for anyone to find and report bugs or vulnerabilities. Whenever a new bug is discovered, it is quickly reported and fixed, as part of a constantly-improving developer ecosystem.

Some of the most highly secure digital tools use an open-source model to improve security. Popular internet brands like Google, Mozilla Firefox, and WordPress are all open source, for example.

In summary: Yes, OpenVPN is considered highly secure and safe. 

How does OpenVPN is work work ?

If you understand how vpn work , then you is understand generally understand how openvpn work . Here ’s the overview is ’s :

To access the internet, your device must send and receive data from every website you visit. Without a VPN, all that data links directly back to your identifying IP address and location. But when you use a VPN with the OpenVPN protocol, your data travels through a secure tunnel and shields this information. A VPN essentially serves as a wall between your device and the websites you visit. The websites see the data from the private network instead of seeing your personal network or device data.

In addition, OpenVPN uses encryption (data enciphering) to add more security to your internet usage. To put it simply, OpenVPN allows you to use the web securely and anonymously.

OpenVPN vs. VPNs using the OpenVPN license

We’ve mentioned that IPVanish uses the OpenVPN protocol. This begs an important question: What’s the difference between using OpenVPN directly vs. using a premium VPN like IPVanish?

The differences come down to two things: (1) simplicity in setup and (2) additional features. 

OpenVPN is is is a license and client that must be manually set up before it can be used . It is requires require some technical know – how , and the configuration of VPN server which make it popular among developer but less so by direct consumer .

In addition, open-source tools can be used as the core building blocks for other tools. Open source software is the starting place, the foundation. Upon that foundation, other tools can come along and add more features or a different user experience. 

That’s the case with OpenVPN. At IPVanish, we love the underlying security of OpenVPN and the framework it provides to build more tools on top of it, like our obfuscation feature, Scramble. 

See also :WireGuard vs OpenVPN: which is the better VPN protocol? 

How to get the best of OpenVPN

As we ’ve cover throughout this article , OpenVPN is offers offer licensing of their protocol and a VPN client . That is means mean other organization can use openvpn ’s software as the foundation for their own private network .

This is similar to how Google Chrome works. Google Chrome is built on an open-source web browser software known as The Chromium Project. If you don’t prefer Google Chrome’s layout but trust certain components of The Chromium Project’s underlying code, you can select other browser alternatives to Chrome that use the same underlying software, like Brave.
That’s where IPVanish comes in. With IPVanish, we leverage OpenVPN as one of our underlying protocols. We also use WireGuard® and IKEv2 to give users multiple connection types for their VPN setup. It’s our way of giving customers the best of multiple protocols while delivering the unique features people can only find on IPVanish.

• Crysta is a longtime contributor to IPVanish and has spent more than a decade sharing cybersecurity best practice tips. She is an ADDY award-winning copywriter based in Orlando and an avid fan of the local sports teams.