In December, Springer published an insightful article about the value of deep learning for VPNs. The article “Deep learning-based real-time VPN encrypted traffic identification methods” delves into the use of machine learning to improve encryption models.
However, there are other ways that machine learning is improving the quality of VPN technology. It is also used for testing more effectively.
Machine Learning Improves Testing Capabilities of VPN Products
The primary function of a VPN is to provide us with safety and security while online, but how do we know that it is working correctly? There are several steps that can lead us to be exposed and leak our data while online even-though we are connected to a VPN. This is why it is crucial that we perform a VPN app test to make sure that everything we do online stays anonymous and guarantee our safety and protection. Fortunately, machine learning is enhancing the quality of these tests.
What is VPN
Before we dive into the methods of testing the reliability of a VPN, in case you are not familiar with it, we first need to realize what VPN is.
VPN or Virtual Private Network is an essentialinternet tool that provides its users with the maximum anonymity and online safety. Using tunneled protocols that create a single shared network between the user and the server VPN allows us to safely venture into the online world without the fear of being tracked or becoming a victim of a cybercrime.
In other words, by encrypting the data used it ensures that whatever we do online remains only for our eyes. This means that no third party viewer will be able to take a peek at what you do online nor to track you since VPN successfully hides the real IP address and replaces it with a virtual one. This is the best way to prevent any prying eyes such as the government, the Internet Service Provider (ISP), and even cyber criminals such as hackers, scammers, and others.
Ways to perform a VPN app test with machine learning
Now that we know what VPN is and how it works we are going to dwell on some of the methods that can be used to test the reliability and safeness of this app. Machine learning is critical for running these tests in 2020, since it can reduce the prevalence of false positives and false negatives with different variables.
The first thing we need to do is figure out if our VPN has any leaks, by going through a leak test:
- DNS Leak Test – Domain Name System or DNS is used to provide easier access by translating domain names to corresponding IP addresses. In most scenarios, this translation is done by the ISP (Internet Service Provider), but when connected to VPN the real IP address is being masked in order to prevent others from tracking your location. If you are connected to VPN and see an advertisement and other things that are targeted to your country or area know that your DNS is leaking. Note that DNS leaks do not reveal your real IP address but instead reveal the ISP IP address which can then easily be traced to you. To prevent DNS leaks, opt for VPN services that provide protection from these kinds of leaks. Machine learning is useful for this test, because it can identify new sources of leaks based on previous tests and discoveries.
- IP address Leak test – Most VPN providers claim that they protect your real IP address, but you can never be sure. The best way for testing this is to connect to a VPN and use any IP leak test tool from the internet. If you are connected to a different country and it reveals your real IP address it means that the IP address is leaking somewhere. The best way to change that is to do the research and opt for a VPN service that will guarantee IP masking followed by a guarantee against IP leaks. Once again, machine learning helps identify sources of leaks better than previous tests.
What to do if you encounter leaks during the VPN app test
If it happens that you encounter a VPN leak during testing the best way to fix that is to contact the VPN support team which is obliged to help you in fixing the issue. Another method is to simply do the research and switch to a VPN provider that has this area covered up, offering you features and services that will guarantee safety when it comes to IP and DNS leaks.
VPN speed test
Another way to make sure that your VPN is good during the VPN app test is to ensure that the connection speed is satisfying. This is also one of the biggest features to look for in a VPN and machine learning is important for conducting it. There are a lot of factors that can have an impact on your VPN connection speed and we made a list of the most important ones:
- Limitations of your Internet Service Provider – Since the ISP controls the maximum amount of your internet speed you should know that by connecting to a VPN your speed cannot be faster than it already is.
- Encryption level – The speed of VPN lowers as you require bigger encryption levels. L2PT protocols are much more secure than PPTP ones but they have a significantly lower speed. If you are requiring less encryption with your online tasks we recommend using the protocol that gives you faster connection speed.
- The physical distance between the server and the user – When doing a VPN app test in order to determine the connection speed take into consideration that the bigger the distance is between you and the server the slower the connection speed will be. Choosing servers that are near you can greatly improve internet speed.
- The popularity of a VPN service – The more used a certain VPN server is the more likely you are to have connection issues as the server gets overwhelmed with a number of users using it and it slows down the internet speed.
When performing a VPN app test you should take into consideration all of the things mentioned above as they will determine how your VPN will perform. By knowing the issues that you may encounter with this app you are practically one step ahead of the problem.
Machine Learning is Important for Testing the Reliability of VPNs
Machine learning has made VPNs more effective than ever. One of the biggest benefits of machine learning is that it can help conduct speed and security tests that were previously not possible.
