Once an information or data is sent across the internet via virtual private networks, it passes through more than 25 worldwide VPN servers before landing on its desired location. This means that there are numerous prying eyes and many brainy heads that want to see what is in your package. Data encryption is therefore required to minimize the risks of leaking any information and boost internet security. This article explains details how encryption is used to enhance VPN security. If you are interested in one of the most private & secure VPN services available today, you can check VPNLUX.
As mentioned above, potential sniffers and hackers can easily see and steal any data sent across the web, since the data is normally transmitted in clear texts. This could be done using simple and common sniffing programs such as protocol analyzer or network diagnostics, which are nowadays included in many operating systems. Additionally, devices monitoring the transmission of data across networks might also be used to leak or steal information. Cryptosystem is one of the methods used to ensure privacy of transmitting data. It simply involves encryption and decryption of data. A data is scrambled into cipher text, which is sent to a recipient. The recipient in turn decrypts the cipher text back to a clear data again, through either of the two cryptosystems, the private key and the public key.
A private key, also known as Symmetric system mainly uses a common encryption and decryption secret key, the fixed-length bit string key. Transmitted data is encrypted for security as the key emulates a private link. This ensures that in case any data is intercepted along the way; it cannot be accessed without involving the key. There are several symmetric encryption algorithms and varies in accordance to their security sophistication. Data Encryption Standard (DES) uses 64-bit data block and a 56-bit key. It is a standard encryption, mainly producing 64-bit encrypted data block. The other one, an alternative of DES but much faster, actually 10 times better is RC4. It uses either 40- bit or 128-bit data encryptions. Then there is the most sophisticated mechanism using three instead of one key; the Tipple-DES (3-DES). It provides a very high security level as compared to the other two. The three algorithms differ from each other in terms of their strength or the bit length, whereby the algorithm with the longest bit will be the strongest and the hardest to crack.
A private key would ensure proper data security if handled correctly and carefully. If the key is mishandled, the following setbacks could arise;
One key is used for both encryption and decryption of data. This means that, if anyone gains access to the key, they could as well access all the encrypted data. All the current, past and future data could be jeopardized due to the shared private key.
To minimize the risk, the key is then required to be delivered either face to face, via secured postal mail or through a direct call. Other secure ways could however be deployed for safe delivery of the key, although that would entail extra cost and time.
It is very important to replace the private key from time to time, since this gives potential hackers a very little chance of accessing the systems, hence ensuring a high security level.