What Is VPN Split Tunneling?
Today, at the height of the digitalization era, many businesses around the world are using digital more than ever in terms of saving time and effort for employees. In every sense, the internet and technology contribute a lot to both the business itself and every individual it hosts. In addition, it is a must for companies that users can establish secure connections between their devices and the internet by encrypting their data.
According to research in 2022, the primary reason for using a virtual private network (VPN) was for data privacy in the US. 42 percent of respondents indicated other purposes, which included security when using public access and streaming services. For businesses, getting a VPN can be a great activity for them. However, using a VPN may also have some difficulties, for this, it is necessary to know the VPN well and use it correctly.
It is vital to research which programs and apps will have a secure VPN tunnel for the best. NordLayer’s explanation on split tunneling is a great solution to see which ones can benefit from higher speeds and access to local services. Being encrypted and highly secure ensures that your data and information are at the highest level of security.
What is VPN Split Tunneling?
While some programs can simply access the internet, others require VPN protection. With the help of the cutting-edge VPN feature known as split tunneling, you can select which programs and applications should use a secure VPN tunnel while others can take advantage of faster speeds and local service access. By reducing traffic congestion on company data centers and headquarters servers, this function lowers hardware expenses.
Split tunneling is a powerful VPN feature that enables you to decide which apps require VPN security and which can simply browse the internet. While the second group gains from quicker speeds and access to local services, the first group benefits from the security of your VPN’s secure tunneling. This function is very helpful for maintaining a connection to a local area network (LAN) and connecting to foreign networks while minimizing bandwidth usage.
How Does VPN Split Tunneling Work?
Split tunneling enables you to manage two connections at once. Your VPN software separates your internet usage into two groups. The internet is accessible to you directly in one portion while the other is unencrypted and redirected through secure VPN servers. You select which apps you can rely on to get around VPN protection from the settings of your VPN software.
A conventional VPN operates by sending your traffic across an encrypted tunnel on a private network. You can also use a VPN to obfuscate your IP address and increase your network security when using a public Wi-Fi hotspot or network.
The split tunneling VPN functionality enables you to access native apps while still encrypting data in particular apps, however, most conventional VPNs are typically more private by default.
In a split tunneling VPN, the direct (open) connection to the Internet and the tunneled (VPN) connection to the Internet are both represented as two simultaneous connections. By doing this, you can employ security protocols and your network as needed without having several devices connected at once.
Additionally, the availability of split tunneling VPN lessens any potential issues you might experience with all connections being on the same network or the requirement to switch networks before use.
What Risks Can VPN Split Tunneling Bring?
Split tunneling via a VPN is renowned for quickening internet access and consuming less bandwidth. There are some security dangers, nevertheless. Depending on the access and security regulations in place at your firm, these risks can be managed. The following list of possible security problems for VPN split tunnels:
Remote Access
The WFH model offers both companies and employees a great deal of freedom and advantages. This flexibility does, however, increase the possibility of outside attacks. You can experience a significant data breach if a team member connects to an insecure Wi-Fi network. Your cloud-based resources can be shielded from this kind of attack by a reliable Cloud VPN.
Wrong VPN Setup
Incorrectly setting your VPN and failing to verify that it is located where you want it to be can provide hackers access to your data. Check to see whether certain ports are available or if your VPN connection is working. You can determine whether the issue is with your ISP or your VPN provider by doing a speed test.
Access Restrictions
Today’s effective phishing attacks affect numerous businesses all around the world. Your company can have unapproved downloads or restricted access to some websites. By enabling staff to get beyond network restrictions put in place, using a VPN split tunnel secures your security.
What is the difference between Split Tunnel VPN and Full Tunnel?
A split tunnel simply forwards a portion of your data, whereas a full tunnel uses your VPN to forward all of it. In this situation, using a split tunnel exposes you to potential assaults because it is not completely safe or encrypted.
No of where the service is located, the full tunnel is the default VPN tunnel that directs all traffic requests through the VPN. In essence, the VPN will determine the consequences of the traffic.
Split VPN tunneling offers distributed internet access, whereas mandatory tunneling offers visibility, control, and privacy. A split tunnel is a VPN tunnel that has been configured to route some requests through the VPN and others across an open local network.
Split tunneling offers you a more flexible choice than complete tunneling, which forces you to use your VPN for all of your traffic. Only a portion of your traffic is encrypted, as opposed to full tunneling.
Any of the tunnels may be used by the user. Use the entire tunnel if you are handling highly secret data to make sure there are no security gaps that could be exploited by hackers. If you are working from a Local Area Network or are more concerned about bandwidth limiting, you can also use split tunneling (LAN).
Conclusion
It can be challenging to find the best VPN provider for your business. More realistic and practical than simply adding a VPN feature are solutions with advanced features that bring contemporary security measures closer to a business’s network infrastructure. To enable a remote workforce and virtual office settings for small and medium-sized organizations, you must work with sophisticated security solutions.
While connected to a secure server, a VPN allows remote workers or those who implement BYOD restrictions to go about their everyday business while protecting web browsing. Overall, it improves organizational structure mobility. The VPN should be utilized correctly and securely in order to reap its benefits in the most effective way.
