Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (2024)

Protect your online traffic by encrypting it with NordVPN.

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Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (1)

What is VPN encryption?

VPN encryption is a process that scrambles your online data so that no unauthorized party can view it or use it in any way. This way, you not only protect your information but also conceal your identity. Strong encryption is a fundamental feature of any VPN — it’s what makes them secure and private.

VPN encryption protects your information from:

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (2)

Internet service providers

They may track your internet traffic and sell your data to advertisers.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (3)

Hackers

They exploit unsecure connections to steal data and gain access to your devices.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (4)

Governments

Restrictive regimes are known for tracking and spying on their citizens.

How does VPN encryption work?

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (5)
  1. Your device initiates a connection to a VPN server.
  2. Once the device is authenticated, the VPN client encrypts all information traveling to the server.
  3. The VPN service creates an encrypted tunnel and passes your data through it.
  4. Your data packets are wrapped in outer packets and encrypted through encapsulation.
  5. When they arrive at the VPN server, the outer packets are removed to access the data within through decryption.
Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (6)

What encryption protocols do VPNs use?

There are three main encryption protocols: DES, RSA, and AES.

  • Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (7)

    DES (data encryption standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses 56-bit keys. It is widely considered to be insecure and has been mostly replaced by more advanced algorithms.

  • Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (8)

    RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) is an asymmetric encryption algorithm that uses two keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. It’s used for secure data transfers and digital signatures.

  • Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (9)

    AES (advanced encryption standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses 128-, 192-, or 256-bit keys, making it significantly more secure than its predecessors. It is the gold standard of encryption used by high-end services, including NordVPN.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (10)

What is AES?

AES is the most advanced encryption protocol used and approved worldwide by governments, cybersecurity experts, and cryptography enthusiasts. NordVPN uses AES with 256-bit keys, which means it has 2^256 possible combinations.

How secure is AES?

No known practical attack can break AES encryption. If you tried to brute force it by checking all possible key combinations, you would need more resources than humanity currently has at its disposal.

While theoretically no encryption cipher is truly impregnable, AES with 256-bit keys is absolute overkill when it comes to security. To break it, you would need to build supercomputers – of a kind that cannot yet be built – that would work on decryption for billions of years.

NordVPN uses three different VPN encryption protocols

NordVPN creates a tunnel to transmit your data to VPN servers securely. NordVPN uses three different VPN security protocols to determine how that tunnel is actually formed.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (11)
Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (12)
Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (13)
  • OpenVPN

    OpenVPN is an extremely versatile VPN encryption protocol, which you can use both for UDP and TCP ports – for safe browsing, gaming, and live streaming. To guarantee the protection of your sensitive data, NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption algorithm with a 4096-bit DH key.

    The whole global cybersecurity community has a stake in OpenVPN since it has an open source code, which is freely available for review and modification. With every new bug report, with every new-found vulnerability, with every line of code, this security protocol gets stronger and better. It thrives on transparency.

  • NordLynx

    When it comes to VPN technology, Wireguard®* is at the cutting edge. It’s an incredibly fast protocol, which uses top-tier cryptology and consists of just 4,000 lines of code (100 times less than OpenVPN). It’s easy to deploy, audit, and debug.

    The chink in Wireguard’s armor is it can’t ensure complete user privacy. That’s why we developed NordLynx, a double NAT (network address translation) system, on its backbone. It allows a secure VPN connection and does not store identifiable data on the VPN server. It’s the fastest secure virtual private network solution on the market.

    *WireGuard® is a registered trademark of Jason A. Donenfeld.

  • IKEv2/IPsec

    Internet protocol security (IPsec) operates with the newest version of the Internet Key Exchange (IKEv2) to enhance security, stability, and speed. IKEv2/IPsec employs powerful cryptographic algorithms and keys. IKEv2 is known for its ability to quickly reestablish a VPN connection if the network connection is interrupted, making it a good choice for mobile devices that frequently switch between different networks.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (14)

You get top-tier encryption with NordVPN

Without VPN encryption, your traffic is vulnerable to hackers, ISPs, advertisers, and other snoopers. Third parties can access your information through both lawful and unlawful ways. You have to take matters into your own hands and make sure you control who uses your data. It’s easy to do with NordVPN!

We strive to make your online experience as private, secure, and smooth as possible. Choose NordVPN and get top-notch encryption with the best speeds on the market.

Get NordVPN

How can your data be exposed?

Your data is at risk even if you’re smart with it.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (15)


Your traffic is vulnerable by default


All your online activity is visible to your ISP and ethical ISPs that protect the privacy of their clients are few and far between. Nothing prevents it from tracking and logging your online behavior, selling the data to advertisers, or handing it over to the authorities.



Do not trust anyone with your data


Keeping your information away from cybercriminals, advertisers, and your ISP will help you in a multitude of ways. For one, you won’t have to deal with targeted pricing and tailored ads. VPN encryption will also protect you from DDoS attacks while gaming, and it will keep your information safe while you travel or use public Wi-Fi.


To put it simply, if you use the internet, you need next-generation VPN encryption.

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (16)

The triple-S VPN experience: Speed, security, simplicity

Speed — thanks to NordLynx, you can experience blazing speeds and unlimited bandwidth without compromising your privacy.

Security — NordVPN comes with a host of extra security features, like Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor, and Meshnet.

Simplicity — you don’t need to be a cryptographer to use NordVPN. Just download the app, log in, and connect to encrypt your private data.

Get more with NordVPN

Block intrusive ads, dangerous websites, and malicious downloads.

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Frequently asked questions

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? (2024)

FAQs

Next-generation VPN encryption: How does it work? ›

Your device initiates a connection to a VPN server. Once the device is authenticated, the VPN client encrypts all information traveling to the server. The VPN service creates an encrypted tunnel and passes your data through it. Your data packets are wrapped in outer packets and encrypted through encapsulation.

How does encrypted VPN work? ›

VPNs conceal your IP address by redirecting your internet signal through a remote host that assigns it a new IP address. This means you can browse the web with complete anonymity. VPNs encrypt all the data you send and receive, including your browsing activity, so that no one can read it but you.

What is NordVPN next generation file encryption? ›

NordVPN uses NGE (“next-generation encryption”) in IKEv2/IPsec. Phase1 keys are generated using AES-256-GCM, SHA2-384, and PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy) using 3072-bit Diffie-Hellman keys. IPsec then secures the tunnel between the client and server, using strong AES-256 encryption.

What is the next generation of VPN? ›

Security breaches and data leaks are constant threats in today's interconnected world. Next-gen VPNs employ end-to-end encryption to safeguard data in transit, ensuring confidentiality and integrity across public and private networks.

Does a VPN encrypt your connection or just the location? ›

A VPN safeguards your personal information by establishing an encrypted connection between your device and a server. It masks your IP address, making your online activities harder to track, and creates a secure data tunnel that protects your information from potential eavesdroppers.

Does VPN really encrypt data? ›

VPN stands for "virtual private network." VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and your identity online, making it harder for third-parties to break in and steal your data.

How do I know if my VPN is encrypted? ›

You can test VPN encryption with GlassWire or Wireshark. Both of these tools are free to download and use. Wireshark is more precise in testing VPN encryption because it checks individual data packets going in or out of your device.

Do I need next generation file encryption? ›

VPN encryption will also protect you from DDoS attacks while gaming, and it will keep your information safe while you travel or use public Wi-Fi. To put it simply, if you use the internet, you need next-generation VPN encryption.

Can NordLocker see your files? ›

Proven security you can trust

Using NordLocker Cloud should never be about trust. What's yours is yours. Unlike mainstream cloud providers, we can never see your encryption keys or know what you store on your cloud. Don't take our word for it – zero-knowledge architecture makes that a fact.

Is NordVPN really private? ›

NordVPN is the most secure VPN we tested.

Besides, all of NordVPN's servers run on RAM. RAM servers are extremely useful for a VPN: as the data gets wiped out every time your server is restarted, there is no information for anyone to steal. A lot of NordVPN servers use this technology.

What is the strongest type of VPN? ›

In other words, OpenVPN is the most secure protocol. WireGuard uses state-of-the-art cryptography. It doesn't support AES encryption, but it substitutes it with ChaCha20. It's less complex, but still very secure.

What technology is replacing VPN? ›

Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)

SD-WAN is a cloud-delivered service that provides a high-performance alternative to a VPN. Businesses can use an SD-WAN to route and and encrypt traffic as it travels between SD-WAN-enabled applications across a wide area network (WAN).

Does a VPN encrypt text messages? ›

Anything not using a cellular or Wi-Fi connection does not travel the internet. As a result, your VPN will not encrypt your standard voice calls or texts. For voice encryption, use voice over IP (VoIP) services. Phone features like Wi-Fi calling and services like Skype and LINE use the internet for calls.

Can a VPN owner see your history? ›

Final thoughts. Any VPN service can monitor your browsing history, but reputable ones won't and will ensure they have no logs of your browsing history that could be handed over to third parties. That way, if they receive a court order to share information, it's impossible for them to comply.

Can your VPN track you? ›

A VPN can't prevent tracking using cookies, fingerprinting, and other similar techniques, but they're not as invasive to your privacy as tracking you by your IP address and are much less reliable as a means of identifying you.

Is VPN encrypted end to end? ›

The short answer is yes or else it wouldn't be a private network. End-to-end encryption is provided by a VPN-encrypted tunnel to secure the communication channel to prevent interception, alteration, or monitoring of the data so that only the sender and receiver have the ability to read the sensitive information.

Can you be tracked if you use VPN? ›

Yes, even if you use a VPN, your online activities can still be traced back to you if you're surfing the Internet while connected to your Google account. That applies to any web service you need to log into. For better privacy, use a VPN while logged out and consider using a privacy-oriented browser.

How to decrypt a VPN? ›

To decrypt data received over a VPN using asymmetric encryption, you need to use the private key corresponding to the public key used to encrypt the data. Asymmetric encryption, also called public-key cryptography, uses several keys to encrypt and decrypt data.

What is the strongest encryption for VPN? ›

The best VPN encryption is 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. These are the most secure algorithms in the world, used by governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies. Even a supercomputer would need billions of years to decrypt and read your data.

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