VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that creates a secure and private connection over a public network. It allows data to travel through an encrypted tunnel, making it harder for outsiders to see or intercept. People use VPNs for privacy, security, and access to restricted content.

In web hosting, VPNs often serve developers, system administrators, and business users who need safe access to servers or networks from outside locations.

History

The idea behind VPNs began in the mid-1990s. Microsoft engineers created the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) in 1996. PPTP allowed users to connect securely over the Internet as if they were on a private network. It helped introduce the idea of creating a secure connection over public infrastructure. It was widely used but had weak encryption. Over time, researchers found ways to break its security.

As threats increased, more secure protocols emerged:

• Early 2000s:
  • IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) and L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) gained traction
  • Offered stronger encryption and better integrity checks
• Later developments:
  • SSL VPNs and OpenVPN became widely used
  • Provided flexibility and enhanced remote access with robust security

A major leap came in 2019 with the introduction of WireGuard:

• Designed with a minimalist codebase
• Focused on:
  • Stronger encryption
  • Faster performance
  • Simplified setup
• Quickly gained favor among security experts and VPN service providers

VPN protocols have continued to evolve, balancing ease of use, speed, and security to meet modern privacy demands.

How It Works

A VPN creates a tunnel between your device and the VPN server. All your internet traffic goes through this tunnel. The VPN software encrypts the data before it leaves your device. The VPN server decrypts it, sends it to its destination, then returns the response through the same encrypted tunnel.

From the outside, it looks like your data is coming from the VPN server instead of your actual device. This hides your IP address and location.

There are two main types of VPNs:

1. Remote access VPN – connects an individual device to a private network.
2. Site-to-site VPN – links two separate networks, often used by companies to connect branch offices.

Why use a VPN?

• Better Privacy - A VPN hides your IP address. This means websites and trackers see only the VPN server’s address. It limits data collection and location tracking.
• Improved Security - VPNs encrypt traffic. This protects data from being seen on public Wi-Fi or untrusted networks. Even if someone captures the data, they can’t read it without the encryption key.
• Remote Access - Users can reach private networks from anywhere. This is helpful for remote workers or developers who need safe access to a hosted environment.
• Bypasses Restrictions - A VPN can let users reach sites blocked in their region. This is useful when working across different countries with different access rules.
• Server Protection - When hosting a website, using a VPN for admin access means login panels aren’t exposed to the world. This cuts down on attack attempts.
• Site Testing - Developers can connect through VPN servers in various locations to test content delivery, speed, and localization.
• Reduced Data Throttling - Some internet service providers slow down certain types of traffic. VPN encryption hides the traffic type, which may prevent throttling.

Misconceptions

Some people think VPNs make them anonymous. VPNs hide your IP, but the VPN provider can still see your traffic. A good VPN service should have a no-log policy. Still, users need to trust the provider.

Others believe a VPN will make the internet faster. This only happens in rare cases where a provider throttles certain content. In most cases, encryption and rerouting may slow the connection slightly.

VPN vs Proxy

VPNs and proxies both mask your IP. But they work differently. A proxy forwards requests at the application level. It often lacks encryption. A VPN secures all traffic, not just that from a single app.

Proxies are easier to set up. But VPNs are better for safety and full device coverage.

VPN Protocols

Each VPN uses one or more protocols. These define how the VPN handles encryption, authentication, and data transfer.

• PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - One of the oldest protocols. Easy to set up and works on many devices. But its encryption is weak and outdated.
• L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec) - Combines L2TP’s tunneling with IPsec’s encryption. More secure than PPTP, but slower due to double encapsulation.
• IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) - Often used on its own or with L2TP. Works at the IP layer. Strong encryption and good for site-to-site VPNs.
• SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) - Created by Microsoft. Uses SSL over port 443. Good for bypassing firewalls but limited to Windows.
• OpenVPN - Open-source and widely used. Very secure with support for various encryption methods. Can run on almost any port. Works well with both TCP and UDP.
• WireGuard - Modern, fast, and simple. Uses state-of-the-art cryptography. Easier to audit and configure. Gaining adoption for its speed and security.

Comparison with previous versions

Each new VPN protocol aimed to fix problems from earlier ones. PPTP had poor security. L2TP added a second layer of protection with IPsec. OpenVPN brought more flexibility and stronger encryption, though setup could be complex. WireGuard reduced code size, which made it easier to inspect and less prone to bugs.

WireGuard also offered faster connection times and better performance on mobile devices. Its lean design helped maintain battery life while still keeping connections secure.

Common use cases in web hosting

• Connecting to a cloud-based control panel without exposing ports to the internet
• Restricting FTP or SSH access to VPN-only users
• Managing virtual machines or containers in private networks
• Secure software deployment from a development machine to a production server
• Accessing staging environments not meant for public view

VPN and NTC Hosting

NTC Hosting offers VPN access as part of its services, thanks to Hepsia Control Panel.

Preconfigured tunnels are available with all hosting servers - cloud hosting, VPS, semi-dedicated servers, and dedicated servers.

Each account comes with a set VPN traffic allocation, which can be upgraded if needed. There are also multiple VPN access points in different locations around the globe.

This feature improves operational security and minimizes exposure to public threats, underscoring NTC Hosting's commitment to delivering secure and reliable hosting solutions.