How Does It Work?
Split tunnel VPN offers some incredible functions that make it possible for you to divide your online network traffic into two parts. In this process, you can configure some apps to use a VPN tunnel for secure network traffic. The traffic using this tunnel is well-protected and end-to-end encrypted. No government organization, internet service provider, or cybercriminal can intercept your network while you are online. All the data packets are processed and checked before they reach their destination.
On the other hand, all the other data that is not configured for split tunnel VPN directly reaches its destination. It does not use a VPN server to encrypt the data. It means that when you are streaming videos, browsing the internet or doing other activities using local resources, this information does not go through the VPN services. They directly connect to the internet and reach their endpoint. Using this feature, you can monitor your online activities and communication channels.
What Is a VPN Server?
The VPN server is the main component that eases this process. It creates a new passage between your computer and the internet server that is completely secure and encrypted from various entities such as internet providers, government entities, and cybercriminals. All your data goes through this passage before connecting to the internet or reaching the endpoint. Each and every bit of data that travels through the server is end-to-end encrypted.
When all the network traffic goes through a single passage, it can be not very easy for the device to manage all the traffic at the same time. A split tunnel divides this traffic between two parts. It disperses the crowded routes and eases the browsing process. One part can access the internet services quickly without having to go through a VPN server, while the other part easily routes through network channels. As a result of this, the burden of carrying the network is divided and managed easily. It lightens the overall process of the device and enhances its performance.
Split tunneling offers you the options of which app-generated data you want to protect or monitor while using the internet and which to use in a carefree manner. You can configure your apps to be monitored and connect safely to the internet using this amazing feature. It will help you safeguard your online activities and communications optimally.
Types of VPN Split Tunneling
Various types of split tunneling configurations can be used to cater to different needs and security purposes. Each one is based on different elements and specifications. Here is a complete list of different types of split tunneling:
App-Based
In this feature, you can configure some apps to use VPN for safe online connectivity. All the data generated by configured apps will use a secure passage that is provided by the virtual private network server.
Url-Based
You can choose this one to encrypt certain URLs that you want to safeguard. It will route the chosen URLs through the tunnel. You can configure this setting using the virtual private network.
Route Based
This feature allows you to configure IP addresses, URLs, and certain connections to go through secure passage created by the VPN. With the help of this functionality, you can reroute your private and internal network from the other networks in the same organization. You can secure your personal data with the secure reroute feature. The rest of the connections can use the common internet service for all the online activities.
Intra-Network Based
This is an exceptional service that you can use to secure your organization’s online activities. It allows you to separate different networks in your company based on different branches. You can select one branch network connection to be routed through a VPN browser and another to access direct internet services.
Policy-Based
It uses a deeper level of online traffic monitoring process. You can use it to secure minute-level online activities. It is based on different criteria, such as users` role, port numbers, and destination IP.
Reverse Split Tunneling
This service is one of the most unique in this list. It offers users an incredible chance to select certain websites, open-source platforms or services to exclude from the VPN routes. You can pick them out and make them use regular and standard internet connections for a fast browsing experience.
Mobile-Based
Mobiles are the most common Internet of Things, which use many apps and browsers for different purposes. You can use VPN split tunnel technology to monitor the app traffic that you are using on your phone.
Benefits of VPN Split Tunneling
This feature comes with lots of benefits that make it a preferable option for online internet browsing and secure computing. Here are some examples that outline the benefits of split tunneling:
Performance Enhancement
Split tunneling is one of the most effective ways to enhance network performance. It splits the traffic between two parts to use virtual private networks and standard internet services. When divided between two sections, it reduces the burden on a single network traffic. As a result of this, you experience fast and smooth internet browsing.
Easy Resource Access
When you are using this process on your devices, it allows you to access both local and international resources at the same time. You can simultaneously connect to your home devices using the local network area and distant internet services with complete safety.
Region-Restricted Access
It will allow you to access continents that are restricted to a certain region. You can configure a browsing app and access all the information in any region you are not allowed to access with a simple internet connection.
Remove internet latency
With split connections and divided online traffic, you can access all the online information without any delay. You will be able to search all the information online without any latency.
Reduced Internet Latency
Since not all your traffic goes through the VPN server or the standard net connection, you may experience lower latency while browsing online.
VPN Split Tunneling Good Or Bad
Whether it is good or bad depends on how efficiently you use it. You can divide your online traffic for apps and websites you want to secure while keeping all the general activities unmarked for a rapid browsing experience. It allows you to personalize your business connections and reroute those connections through a VPN server while keeping the other traffic open to direct online services.
You may also face some risks while using this virtual private network division technology. When you choose some apps, IP addresses, or websites to use a splitting tunnel, you leave other apps and programs vulnerable to cybercriminals or spyware attacks. Also, the settings and configurations can be difficult for a person who is not aware of the whole process. Most importantly, there are VPNs that do not have network-dividing technology. You may have to apply the VPN to the online connection and data your online activities create. So you have to decide whether you should protect only specific programs on your device or protect all of them without any division.
