SSL VPN vs. IPSec—A Comprehensive Comparison
For a long time, individuals and organizations have employed methods like firewalls, antivirus software, and password management policies to ward off online threats. However, as technology advances, cyber threats become harder to spot. Due to these developments, people now employ additional tools to stay secure online, including Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
VPNs create secure tunnels for data transmission, ensuring safe and private communication between users and servers. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) are two protocols VPNs can use to achieve this[1][2].
This article will compare SSL VPN vs. IPSec VPN encryption protocols, helping you understand:
- What is IPSec?
- What is SSL?
- What are the differences between SSL and IPSec protocols?
- What are the potential limitations of VPNs when transacting online?
Disclaimer: The information in this guide is valid as of May 2024.
What Is IPSec?
IPSec is a protocol suite that encrypts and authenticates data packets sent over public networks, ensuring secure communication between devices.
IPSec relies on two main protocols[3]:
- Authentication Header (AH)—AH ensures the data sent over the Internet remains unaltered and comes from a verified source. Because it doesn't supply encryption, it cannot prevent eavesdropping.
- Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP)—ESP provides a secure envelope for data sent over the Internet. It encrypts the data and performs a security check to ensure its origin and integrity.
How IPSec Works
The IPSec protocol plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of information transmitted over the Internet. If you want to send information from one device to another, using this protocol, the process includes five steps:
- Policy evaluation—The sender assesses its security policy to determine if the outgoing data requires IPSec protection.
- Transmission initiation—If required, the system initiates a secure IPSec transmission with the recipient system.
- Security negotiation—Both systems negotiate and agree on several parameters, including authentication, encryption methods, and other security protocols.
- Secure data transfer—The data is encrypted and sent. The recipient system decrypts the received data, verifies its source, and checks its integrity to ensure it hasn't been tampered with during transmission.
- Connection termination—The IPSec connection is terminated after the transmission is complete or the session times out.
What Is SSL?
SSL is an encryption-based Internet security protocol developed by Netscape in 1995. It was created to address critical security concerns related to privacy, authentication, and data integrity.[4]
SSL has been replaced with a newer, regularly updated protocol called Transport Layer Security, or TLS. Because of SSL's strong association with secure connections, the term is still used when referring to TLS, either on its own or as SSL/TLS.
How SSL/TLS Works
SSL/TLS performs a series of steps, often called a handshake, to establish a secure connection between a server and a client—a browser or an app that wants to connect to it. The exact steps might vary depending on the version of the protocol, but they follow the same general principles:
- Negotiation of algorithms—The client and the server start the handshake by negotiating on the algorithms they will use to encrypt the data exchanged between them.
- Server authentication—The server presents its digital certificate, issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), to the client. This certificate contains the server's public key—a code used to encrypt and decrypt data—and other identifying information. The client verifies the authenticity of this certificate to ensure it is communicating with the legitimate server.
- Session key generation—Once the authentication is complete, both parties generate session keys, which are used to encrypt and decrypt data during the session.
- Data integrity—The server and client also agree on methods to verify that the data has not been altered during transmission.
- Handshake conclusion—The handshake concludes with the client and server confirming that the setup was successful and that secure communication can begin.
From then on, all data transmitted between the client and the server is encrypted using the session keys established during the handshake.
IPSec VPN vs. SSL VPN—Head-to-Head Comparison
From how they establish secure connections to the types of networks they are best suited for, SSL VPNs and IPSec VPNs differ in several ways. We'll examine five key areas:
- OSI model layer
- Security features
- Access control
- Ease of implementation and device compatibility
- Speed and performance
OSI Model Layers
One of the main differences between an IPSec VPN and an SSL VPN is that the two operate in different layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The model is a conceptual framework used to explain how network communications work, separating them into seven layers:
- Physical (Layer 1)—This layer deals with the physical transmission of data, such as electrical signals or light pulses over cables or wireless connections.
- Data link (Layer 2)—Responsible for framing data into packets, error detection, and addressing within a local network.
- Network (Layer 3)—Handles routing, forwarding, and logical addressing (IP addresses). It ensures data reaches its destination across different networks.
- Transport (Layer 4)—Segments data into smaller units, manages flow control, and ensures reliable delivery between devices.
- Session (Layer 5)—Establishes, maintains, and terminates communication sessions between applications.
- Presentation (Layer 6)—Formats and encrypts data for transmission, ensuring compatibility between different systems.
- Application (Layer 7)—Provides network services directly to applications, such as email, web browsing, or file transfer.
SSL operates at the transport layer (Layer 4), but SSL VPNs are often implemented at the application layer (Layer 7). When a user accesses a web application via SSL VPN, the VPN encrypts the data and ensures secure communication between the user's device and the application server.
IPSec operates at the network layer (Layer 3). VPNs use this protocol to secure all traffic between two networks (such as a company's main office and branch offices), but also a remote client and a network. They work at the IP packet level, providing end-to-end security.
Security Features
SSL VPNs and IPSec VPNs offer robust security features, but they do so in different ways. The following table compares how they ensure data privacy and integrity:
Access Control
SSL VPNs provide granular access control. For instance, an employee working remotely could be given access to their email and a shared document server but not the complete corporate network.
There are two types of SSL VPNs, each allowing different levels of access:
- Portal VPN—It allows users to interact with certain services without gaining full network access.
- Tunnel VPN—It allows a web browser to securely access multiple network services, including those that are not web-based, via a tunnel under SSL. It can be suitable for comprehensive remote access to a network.
IPSec VPNs typically provide full network access to users. Once a user is connected to the VPN, they can access any resource on the network as if they were physically connected to it.
Ease of Implementation and Device Compatibility
SSL VPNs can be easier to implement because they only require a web browser on the client side. They can be set up quickly and easily, making them an ideal choice for organizations that need to deploy a VPN solution rapidly.
The exception is tunnel VPNs, which might be slightly more difficult to implement as they require additional setup, such as a client-side application.
SSL VPNs are generally more flexible in terms of device compatibility. They can be used with any device that has a web browser, including:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Smartphones
IPSec VPNs can be more complex to set up due to the need for client software and the configuration of security policies. These VPNs are compatible with many device types but may not be as easily deployed across various platforms as SSL VPNs.
Performance and Speed
In terms of performance and speed, IPSec VPNs are generally faster than SSL VPNs. Because they operate at the network layer, independent of any particular application, IPSec VPNs can handle higher data transfer rates.
The performance of IPSec VPNs can vary depending on network conditions and the VPN configurations. If the encryption level is set too high, it could potentially slow down the data transfer rate due to the additional processing required to enhance security.
IPSec VPN vs SSL VPN—Which One Should You Choose?
IPSec VPNs can be a good choice for individuals and organizations that value robust security, need to secure all traffic between two networks, and have the resources to manage the setup and maintenance of the VPN.
SSL VPNs might be a better fit for those who value device compatibility and ease of implementation. They can be used on any device with a web browser, making them suitable for diverse device environments or organizations with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy.
Top VPN Providers—Quick Overview
There are several VPN providers, each offering unique solutions. The table below lists some of the popular SSL and IPSec VPN products and what they offer:
VPNs' Limitations and How To Address Them
SSL VPNs and IPSec VPNs can boost safety and security, but they're not a solution for every potential online threat. VPNs won't protect you from:
- Social engineering—Cybercriminals can trick you into revealing sensitive information, allowing unauthorized access to your system.
- Malware—Hackers may use software vulnerabilities, hacked web pages, email attachments, and other methods to try and infect your system with malicious software.
- Merchant breaches—When a vendor you transact with experiences a security breach, your sensitive financial information could be compromised.
To mitigate these risks, you should implement additional tools and measures, including secure mail services, antimalware, and strong security protocols.
To secure your financial information, you can use virtual cards at checkout instead of your actual payment cards. With a specialized virtual card provider like Privacy, you also get additional features to help protect your card details from potentially unauthorized use and unexpected charges.
Privacy Virtual Cards—Security at Your Fingertips
As a PCI-DSS-compliant provider, Privacy employs stringent security measures to ensure the safety of the information you share with it and boost the security of your financial information during transactions.
The company uses military-grade 256-bit encryption, employs 2FA for account security, and notifies you of any transactions with your virtual cards, allowing you to spot potentially suspicious activity quickly.
If you dispute a transaction, Privacy will conduct a thorough investigation and file a chargeback against the merchant if your claims are valid, helping protect you from potential fraudsters.
Privacy Card Types and Controls
With Privacy, you can generate three types of virtual cards:
- Single-Use Cards—They become invalid shortly after your first transaction is authorized, making them useless to anybody who may attempt to steal them. These cards are great for one-time purchases.
- Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards are "tied" to the first merchant they're used at. Any subsequent attempt to use them with other merchants will be declined. They're an excellent choice for subscriptions—including YouTube Premium, ESPN Plus, and Disney Plus.
- Category-Locked Cards—These cards "pre-lock" to a merchant category rather than a single merchant. They’re great for budgeting and managing spending for certain types of purchases.
Privacy lets you pause or close your virtual cards and blocks any attempt to charge them afterward. You can also set spending limits on your cards, and any transaction above the limit will be declined. This feature can help protect your bank account from unexpected charges, such as those that may happen during the subscription cancelation process.
Secure and Seamless Checkouts With Privacy
Privacy's virtual cards make online shopping effortless, thanks to the following features:
- Mobile app—The Privacy App, compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, offers a secure and user-friendly interface. It allows you to generate virtual cards, monitor transactions, and set spending limits on the go.
- Browser extension—The Privacy Browser Extension is a versatile tool available for Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Safari for iOS. It streamlines online transactions by auto-generating virtual card numbers during checkout.
- Shared Cards—Privacy's card-sharing feature allows you to easily share your virtual cards with trusted friends, family, and employees.
- 1Password integration—You can create, store, and use your Privacy Virtual Cards within the password manager.
Protect your bank account from hidden charges
With Privacy, you can set spending limits, defining how much merchants can charge you.
Getting Started With Privacy
To generate Privacy Cards, do the following:
- Register
- Provide the required information to verify your identity
- Connect a funding source—your bank account or debit card
- Request your first virtual card
Privacy offers four monthly plans—Personal, Plus, Pro, and Premium. For more details about them, refer to the following table:
