HideMyAss Protocols

HideMyAss is one of the many virtual private networks (VPN) on offer on the web. VPNs are essentially a private connection that uses a public network (like the Internet) to create a secure network. The can be used on a variety of devices, not only computers (for a blog on the best VPN for Android phones here). How the data can be transported across the network occurs in a variety of ways. Here we will examine a particular VPN (HideMyAss) and protocols it uses. HideMyAss (HMA) supports the use of a number of different protocols: IPSec, PPTP, L2TP and OpenVPN protocols. Below we discuss these protocols in a little more detail :.

IP Security (IPSec) IPSec transfers safely communications, and this by encrypting data in two ways: First, through its mode of transport, and secondly, by its tunnel mode. In transport mode, it does not encrypt the entire data packet (data traffic via a VPN), but only part of the package that is communicated. In tunnel mode the entire time packet is encrypted.

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) . This uses the Internet to connect a remote client to a private server. It is simple to install and maintain proper operation.

Security Sockets Layer (SSL) and TLS (Transport Layer). SSL and TLS create secure communications such as IPSec. However, they use cryptography in the process: the remote client and the server running a virtual trading (known as the "handshake") to determine that the remote client is allowed access to the VPN. This virtual handshake uses certificates that are encrypted by the client and the server. When they match, the client is deemed authentic.

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP). An L2TP is a protocol used for data communication tunnel between two Internet sites. This protocol is often used alongside IPSec to increase the security of data transferred. Most importantly, L2TP depends on clients and servers using certificates or a shared key for authentication.