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OpenVPN is an open source connection protocol that uses encryption and authentication to create a secure "tunnel" between the user and the server. You may have heard popular VPN providers use this kind of analogy when describing their service, and that's because many of them use OpenVPN to provide you with online security.
To provide you with such protection, OpenVPN uses two different transport layer protocols: UDP and TCP. UDP, or User Datagram Protocol, is often set as the default because it allows for faster connection speeds. TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol, can control transmitted data more adequately, but this leads to slower connection speeds.
On top of all this, OpenVPN is open source, meaning that anyone can view the code, and that any bugs can be identified and fixed quickly by the OpenVPN community if the developers don't see to it first.
All in all, OpenVPN is a very solid and reliable option when it comes to protecting your data online. But how do you actually use it?
To install and use OpenVPN, you'll need to follow a few steps, including downloading configuration files, installing the OpenVPN client, and importing the VPN data.
It's worth noting that this process differs for each operating system, but is similar for Android, iOS, and Windows. Keep in mind that the installation process is considerably more complicated if you're using Linux.
Though OpenVPN is certainly a great choice for protecting your data while surfing the web, it is believed that WireGuard will soon take over as the top choice for such protection. This is another VPN protocol that can offer a more reliable connection and has a more secure form of encryption. But only time will tell whether this protocol becomes the next big thing in online security.