Do you want to route some internet traffic through a VPN selectively? Don’t worry. A VPN split tunneling is your solution. It works in the following manner: It allows users to use VPNs simultaneously with immediate access to some parts of the internet. But how does this work, and why is it beneficial to divide the internet traffic in the first place?
Let’s look at VPN split tunneling and understand how it can improve your internet experience.
How Does VPN Split Tunneling Work?
VPN split tunneling meaning is that it enables you to decide which part of your traffic should travel through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which part should go straight to the internet. This is necessary when using some of the organization’s resources, such as email or databases, but other internet connectivity does not require a VPN.
Advertisement There are two primary methods of implementing VPN split tunneling:
- Application-based tunneling: Here, you only choose particular applications to go through the VPN. For example, it is possible to adjust the VPN setting to redirect only your email and web browser connection through the VPN, while other apps work with a regular connection.
- URL-based tunneling: It enables you to use the VPN only for selected websites and services while all the other internet connections avoid it.
Must Read!!
Don’t know what is a VPN and how does it work? Get complete details in this guide.
Different Types of VPN Split Tunneling
There are several types of VPN split tunneling, each offering different levels of customization:
- Inverse Split Tunneling: It automatically routes all the traffic through the VPN but can also be specific to the apps or websites.
- Selective Split Tunneling: We only send specific traffic through the VPN, which is the app and URL.
- Dynamic Split Tunneling: This empowers the system to decide in real-time if particular traffic should be routed through the VPN according to set rules.
Benefits of VPN Split Tunneling
Using a VPN with split tunneling offers several advantages:
- Improved Performance: Since all the traffic is not encrypted through a VPN, your internet connection is faster when doing other non-sensitive activities.
- Access to Local Services: It might do what some local services don’t do to block VPN connections for some banking sites or local content providers.
- Reduced Bandwidth Usage: In this case, a user only lets through the required traffic through the VPN, potentially lowering costs.
Drawbacks of Split Tunneling
While VPN split tunneling has its benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks:
- Security Risks: All traffic not tunneled through the VPN is vulnerable to the abovementioned threats.
- Configuration Complexity: Configuration of split tunneling in a VPN could prove difficult, especially for non-technical users.
- Lack of Full Anonymity: While using the VPN, you will not be completely anonymous on the Internet. This is because only a few parts encrypt, not all.
Is VPN Split Tunneling Secure?
The general security of split tunneling depends on how the VPN is set. Although, at times, it can be entirely secure for specific tasks, the direct exposure of some traffic to the internet can be potentially dangerous. Be very careful and access the content or services with local access only.
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Risks of Split Tunneling
There are several risks associated with split VPN tunneling:
- Data leaks: Hackers or other spy agencies could easily access any connection without passing through the VPN channel.
- Compliance Issues: In regulated industries, it can breach data protection laws, raising legal compliance concerns in the organization.
- Network Vulnerability: This means that devices that support split tunneling can potentially become the points of attack by malware and other malicious attacks.
When You Should Use Split Tunneling?
It would be best if you considered using VPN unlimited split tunneling in the following scenarios:
- This is for a situation where a user wants to unblock selected site restrictions without harming another’s browsing.
- For example, when working remotely in the office, having to print a document from a local computer/printing device without losing time getting a remote connection.
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How to Use Split Tunneling
To use split tunneling in a VPN:
- You should enable it in your VPN settings. All VPNs, including free VPN with split tunneling, offer this option.
- Choose which apps or URLs should or should not use the VPN.
- Next, you should test your configuration to check whether the traffic you want is actually redirected, and so on.
Important!!
It is necessary to set up a VPN, to use Split Tunneling. So, do not miss doing that.
How Do You Stop Split Tunneling?
If you decide that split tunneling in VPN isn’t right for you, most VPNs allow you to disable it easily:
- Go back to your VPN’s settings.
- To disable the split tunneling option, remember that all your traffic will go through the VPN connection. Perform the steps on the screen.
How Do You Test Split Tunneling?
Testing VPN unlimited split tunneling can be done by:
- Use an application or a browser not connected via the VPN to verify that the IP address displayed corresponds to your physical location.
- The following steps perform a performance benchmark of the VPN-routed traffic with the direct internet traffic.
Split Tunnel VPN vs. Full Tunnel: What Is The Difference?
We have a split tunnel VPN, which only specifies the traffic that gets transmitted via the VPN tunnel. Whereas a full tunnel VPN transmits all the traffic through the encrypted tunnel. In split tunneling VPN, there is flexibility, performance, and advantage compared to complete tunneling VPN, which has an enhanced security feature.
What is the Difference Between Split Tunneling and Double VPN?
Compared to split tunneling, where only some traffic is channeled through the VPN and the rest go through the direct connection, the double VPN means that all your traffic will go through two VPNs. This setup means extra security, but your browsing speed may get slow.
FAQs
It enables some traffic through the VPN while the rest is through the regular path.
This way, all your traffic is secure, plus you are minimizing possible security risks.
Usually, it can accelerate processes that are not managed through VPN connections.
To ensure internet connection safety and prevent unauthorized access to your files.
Please turn it on in your VPN settings and select what traffic goes through the VPN connection.
You can check by ensuring that only the desired applications or Web sites act as though they are connected to the VPN’s IP address.
Yes, that is if you only use a reputable VPN service with protocol encryption that is strong enough.
A tunnel VPN means all communication is passed through the VPN.
Tunnel means passing all the traffic through the VPN, while split tunnel means passing only the specific traffic through the VPN.
It is for high speed and throughput of noncritical applications while maintaining robust protection measures on critical data.
This depends on the performance of the VPN provider and the speed of your Internet connection.
It can be both, depending on the level of security that might be required in the context and how it will be applied.
Final Verdict
VPN split tunneling is a versatile feature that enables choices, enhanced speed and efficiency, and reasonable control of your Internet connectivity. Still, it has potential threats that are worth not being neglected.
Like every other feature of VPN, people and admins will agree that split tunneling is equally excellent and wrong based on individual security preferences. While there is the danger of people dealing with fake websites and negating their security, it can be a wonderful tool if you use it carefully.