VPN use has increased considerably over the past five years. While users in the west are less likely to go online through a VPN client, those in Asia and BRICS nations are the top subscribers. This affords online privacy, encryption, and even the avoidance of region blocking, useful for watching overseas TV or Netflix.
Mark Halstead is the CTO of NordVPN and he guided us through the company's policy on logging and how this is implemented. His colleague Tom Okman also joined us for some further explanations.
Anatomy of a VPN server
We started by looking at a VPN server.
Using a VPN is simple as a subscriber. You sign into the server via the VPN client, which by default encrypts and routes all activity from your PC to the chosen VPN server. From this point, the VPN server authenticates access and provides a gateway to the internet beyond. The server is protected by a NAT/Firewall, while recursive DNS helps to guarantee a successful connection to the intended website or service (perhaps streaming a YouTube channel). A database of live sessions might also be running, alongside some statistical monitoring.
A VPN is supposed to enhance your privacy and help ensure online anonymity. One of the key advantages of using a paid VPN subscription is that the company providing access to its VPN servers keeps as little information about you and your activity as possible.
Operating systems create logs by default, which means that any conscientious VPN provider would take steps to disable this. So, how meticulous has NordVPN been?
The session revealed that NordVPN's Linux servers are configured with various tools that enhance security, privacy, and authentication. FreeRADIUS is used for authentication, while the squid proxy software is also used. SaltStack is used for correct server configuration, controlling the infrastructure.
read more (tech radar)
Mark Halstead is the CTO of NordVPN and he guided us through the company's policy on logging and how this is implemented. His colleague Tom Okman also joined us for some further explanations.
Anatomy of a VPN server
We started by looking at a VPN server.
Using a VPN is simple as a subscriber. You sign into the server via the VPN client, which by default encrypts and routes all activity from your PC to the chosen VPN server. From this point, the VPN server authenticates access and provides a gateway to the internet beyond. The server is protected by a NAT/Firewall, while recursive DNS helps to guarantee a successful connection to the intended website or service (perhaps streaming a YouTube channel). A database of live sessions might also be running, alongside some statistical monitoring.
A VPN is supposed to enhance your privacy and help ensure online anonymity. One of the key advantages of using a paid VPN subscription is that the company providing access to its VPN servers keeps as little information about you and your activity as possible.
Operating systems create logs by default, which means that any conscientious VPN provider would take steps to disable this. So, how meticulous has NordVPN been?
The session revealed that NordVPN's Linux servers are configured with various tools that enhance security, privacy, and authentication. FreeRADIUS is used for authentication, while the squid proxy software is also used. SaltStack is used for correct server configuration, controlling the infrastructure.
read more (tech radar)
