What Are the Different Types of VPN?

VPNs all operate on the same basic principles. Still, there are a number of different types of VPN which are suited for specific tasks. Choosing the correct type of VPN is very important, and that choice will depend on what you are trying to achieve. For instance, if you have been asked to keep company information secure while you are traveling and using public Wi-Fi networks, then the chances are that you will be asked to use a specific VPN created and controlled by your employer.

When to Use a Public VPN

There are many situations when a public VPN is the best option. They are particularly appropriate for users who want to be able to make it look as though their device is in a different country. This is because private VPNs generally only resolve in one location (typically the office location of the company that runs the network). Publically available services, however, often offer many different endpoints. They are ideal for users who want to use their VPN to watch streaming media or access other content that is otherwise unavailable in their country.

Mobile VPNs

A mobile VPN service makes it possible for users to enjoy all of the protections that are offered by a VPN service while they are using their mobile device. The most common way of accessing this type of service is by using an app that makes sure that all of the web traffic that is being sent to and from a device is going via the VPN service.

These types of services have become more popular as mobile phone operating systems have made it easier for apps to control the way they connect to the internet. Previously, using a mobile VPN was possible but this required a large amount of setup and technical know-how on the part of the user.

Multi-Hop VPNs

Multi-hop VPNs are provided by public VPN companies but give an even greater degree of protection than their standard counterparts. This is because all user traffic is sent through two different VPN servers before being sent onwards to the website or other service that the user is communicating with.

This provides an even higher level of security and anonymity. For most users, this level of protection is not necessary, but it can be reassuring to know that a multi-hop VPN service is available in case it is ever required.

Private and Remote Access VPNs

Private VPNs are most commonly provided by companies who want their staff to be able to securely access company files and information when they are on the road. Unlike public VPNs, which anyone can sign up for, these VPNs are only available to employees of a particular company, and in some cases, access is even more heavily restricted, in that only certain employees with a real need for the protection that a VPN can offer will be granted access.

Maintaining Data Security

One other case in which this type of VPN can be helpful is when local laws do not allow data to leave a particular jurisdiction. Using a VPN can enable employees of a company to work on projects that involve data that could not be legally stored in the country where they are located. In this case, the VPN allows them to log into another computer and act in the same way they would if they were physically sitting in front of the computer. This type of remote access is a very specialized use of a VPN and many miles away from the kind of use case that a regular member of the public would have. Nonetheless, it is an excellent example of the type of task that VPN services are making possible in today’s increasingly interconnected world.

How to choose the
best VPN

Many VPNs limit you to connecting a specific number of devices at the same time. If you have multiple mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs or other hardware to protect.