Few security tools are as misunderstood as the VPN. In advertising it is a way to watch another country’s streaming catalogue. In a business context it is something quite different: the safest way to reach servers, offices and internal systems without exposing them to the entire internet. This guide explains why a VPN is important, what it does and does not protect, how the main protocols differ and which commercial and open-source VPN services are worth considering for personal privacy, remote work and server administration.
What a VPN Actually Does
A virtual private network creates an encrypted tunnel between your device (or office) and a VPN endpoint. All traffic that goes through the tunnel is protected from anyone between the two ends, and appears to originate from the endpoint’s IP address rather than yours.
That gives you three practical benefits:
- Confidentiality on untrusted networks: hotel, airport or café Wi-Fi operators cannot read or alter your traffic
- A private path to internal resources: servers, databases and admin panels can sit on private addresses, reachable only through the VPN
- A stable, trusted source IP: you can allow-list one VPN address on firewalls instead of every employee’s changing home IP
Why VPNs Are Important
For servers and hosting
The biggest security win for administrators is removing admin services from the public internet. SSH, RDP, cPanel and WHM on 2087, Plesk on 8443, database ports, Proxmox and firewall management pages are scanned and attacked constantly. Put them behind a VPN and the attack surface collapses to a single, hardened VPN port. For specifics, see Windows Server RDP security, where a VPN is the recommended first control, and our Linux server hardening guide.
For remote work
A remote-access VPN gives employees access to office file servers, ERP systems and internal sites without publishing those systems online. Combined with multi-factor authentication, it is one of the most effective controls against credential-stuffing and ransomware that arrives through exposed services.
For connecting offices and data centres
A site-to-site VPN links networks over the internet, so branch offices and servers in different locations communicate as if on one network. See our guides to pfSense site-to-site IPsec and FortiGate site-to-site IPsec VPN.
For personal privacy
A consumer VPN hides your traffic from your ISP and local network, and hides your real IP from the sites you visit. It does not make you anonymous, though, and that distinction matters.
What a VPN Does Not Do
- It does not make you anonymous: the VPN provider can see your traffic metadata, and websites can still identify you through logins, cookies and browser fingerprinting
- It does not protect you from malware, phishing or unsafe downloads
- It does not encrypt traffic beyond the VPN endpoint, so use HTTPS everywhere
- A poorly run VPN can be worse than none, because you trust the operator with all your traffic. A “free” VPN that earns money by selling data is a known risk
The Main VPN Protocols
| Protocol | Strengths | Weaknesses | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Very fast, tiny codebase, modern cryptography, simple configuration | Static keys need careful management; fewer built-in user-management features | Servers, site-to-site, modern remote access |
| OpenVPN | Mature, highly configurable, works over TCP 443 through restrictive firewalls | Slower and more complex than WireGuard | Remote access, legacy compatibility |
| IPsec / IKEv2 | Built into most operating systems and firewalls, strong standards support | Complex configuration, can struggle with NAT | Site-to-site, mobile devices, appliances |
| SSL VPN (vendor) | Easy clients and browser portals, tight firewall integration | Vendor-specific, and has been a frequent target of vulnerabilities | Corporate remote access |
| L2TP/IPsec, PPTP | Built into old systems | PPTP is broken; L2TP is dated | Avoid for new deployments |
For most new deployments, WireGuard is the best default and OpenVPN is the fallback when you need TCP or strict compatibility. Whatever you choose, keep the VPN software patched, because internet-facing VPN gateways are a prime target. We discuss hardening in FortiGate SSL VPN Setup and Hardening.
Open-Source VPN Software
You run these yourself on a server, firewall or router, which gives you full control and no per-user fees.
| Software | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Kernel-level VPN protocol and tools, in Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android | Fast personal and site-to-site tunnels |
| OpenVPN Community Edition | The classic SSL/TLS VPN | Remote access with certificates and per-user control |
| strongSwan | IPsec/IKEv2 implementation for Linux | Standards-based site-to-site and mobile VPN |
| SoftEther VPN | Multi-protocol VPN server that can mimic several protocols | Getting through restrictive networks |
| OpenConnect (ocserv) | Open-source server compatible with Cisco AnyConnect clients | Remote access on Linux |
| pfSense / OPNsense | Open-source firewalls with built-in VPN servers (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec) | One box for firewall and VPN |
| Headscale, NetBird, Nebula | Open-source mesh and overlay VPN tools you can self-host | Connecting many servers and laptops without a central gateway |
| Algo VPN and PiVPN | Scripts that deploy a personal WireGuard or IPsec server quickly | Personal use on a VPS or Raspberry Pi |
Quickly set up a WireGuard server on Linux:
dnf install wireguard-tools -y # or: apt install wireguard -y
wg genkey | tee server.key | wg pubkey > server.pub
# /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
[Interface]
Address = 10.8.0.1/24
ListenPort = 51820
PrivateKey = <contents of server.key>
[Peer]
PublicKey = <client public key>
AllowedIPs = 10.8.0.2/32
systemctl enable --now wg-quick@wg0
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=51820/udp && firewall-cmd --reloadPros: no licence cost, full control, no third party sees your traffic. Cons: you manage setup, key distribution, patching and monitoring.
Commercial VPN Services
Consumer privacy VPNs
These sell access to a network of servers around the world. They suit personal privacy on public Wi-Fi and region access, not business server access.
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Swiss company, open-source apps and independent audits; has a limited free tier |
| Mullvad | Privacy-focused, simple flat pricing, accepts anonymous payment, independent audits published |
| NordVPN | Large server network, mature apps, feature-rich |
| ExpressVPN | Large network and polished apps |
| Surfshark | Value-oriented, allows many simultaneous devices |
Features and pricing change, so compare the current terms. When choosing, look for a published no-logs policy that has been independently audited, open-source or audited apps, a modern protocol (WireGuard), a clear ownership and jurisdiction story and a kill switch.
Business and zero-trust VPNs
These are built for company access to internal resources, with identity, policy and central management.
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tailscale | WireGuard-based mesh VPN with single sign-on, access controls and a free tier for personal use |
| Cloudflare Zero Trust (WARP) | Replaces VPN with identity-based access to apps, with a free tier for small teams |
| Twingate, Perimeter 81, Cato | Zero-trust and secure-access platforms for distributed teams |
| Cisco AnyConnect / Secure Client, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, FortiClient, SonicWall | Firewall-vendor VPN clients with enterprise features, licensed with the appliance |
Some of these services have a free tier suitable for small teams, but licences and limits change, so verify before you commit.
Commercial vs Open Source: Which Should You Choose?
| Need | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Personal privacy on public Wi-Fi | Reputable commercial VPN (Proton, Mullvad) |
| Securing admin access to your servers | Self-hosted WireGuard or OpenVPN, or a firewall’s built-in VPN |
| Connecting two offices | Site-to-site IPsec or WireGuard on your firewalls |
| Small team, little admin time | Tailscale or another managed zero-trust service |
| Large company with compliance needs | Enterprise firewall VPN or zero-trust platform, with MFA and logging |
| Hosting provider or agency managing client servers | Self-hosted VPN with per-admin keys, plus MFA |
| Maximum control and zero licence cost | Open-source (WireGuard, OpenVPN, strongSwan) |
Best Practices for Any VPN
- Use multi-factor authentication for remote-access VPNs
- Give each user their own credentials or key, and revoke when someone leaves
- Use split tunnelling carefully: sending only internal traffic through the VPN reduces load, but full tunnel gives more protection on hostile networks
- Keep the VPN gateway patched, and subscribe to security notices for your product
- Log connections and review them, and send logs off the device
- Restrict what VPN users can reach: allow only the subnets and ports they need, not the whole network
- Test for leaks (DNS and IPv6) after setup
- Do not rely on a VPN alone: combine it with hardening, patching and monitoring. See free security tools for Windows and Linux
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a VPN important for server administrators?
It lets you close SSH, RDP and control-panel ports to the public internet and allow them only from the VPN, which blocks most automated attacks.
Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN?
For most new setups, yes. WireGuard is faster, simpler and uses modern cryptography. OpenVPN still helps where you need TCP 443 or particular client compatibility.
Are free VPNs safe?
Many are not. If you are not paying, your data may be the product. If you need free, choose a reputable provider’s limited free tier or run your own.
Is a VPN enough to stay anonymous online?
No. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic to the endpoint, but the VPN operator and the sites you log in to can still identify you.
Can I run my own VPN on a VPS?
Yes. A small VPS can run WireGuard or OpenVPN for a handful of users. Keep it patched and use per-user keys.
