A VPN offers many benefits for increasing the privacy and security of your data over network connections. Many different protocols are available for use within a VPN setup. So what is an L2TP VPN?
L2TP stands for Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol. As a tunneling protocol it lets you send data from one network to another, but it can’t be used alone to create a secure VPN connection. To use L2TP to make a proper VPN connection, you need to combine it with another protocol. It’s commonly combined with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) to add the authentication and encryption that secure the connection.
Despite the added security, it isn’t the best choice in VPNs. The protocols used to create the network connection are outdated and many services no longer support them. L2TP is an extension of PPTP and both are considered less safe than newer protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2.
We’ll review the pros, cons, and uses of an L2TP/IPSec and a few protocol alternatives to consider if you want a VPN that offers reliable, secure connections.
Increase Connection Security with CyberGhost VPN
1. Subscribe to CyberGhost VPN and download the app to your device.
2. Connect to a VPN server in your chosen location.
3. Use your favorite sites and services with added data privacy and security.
What Is an L2TP/IPsec VPN?
L2TP/IPSec VPNs route your traffic through their servers to provide additional privacy and security to your network connection. Traffic is encrypted with IPSec and tunneled using L2TP. Most OS have VPN clients installed that can create an L2TP/IPSec VPN connection, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Some commercial VPNs still support L2TP/IPSec connections and have a wide range of compatibility with major operating systems including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes enabling one extremely easy because you can use the software configuration wizard.
Advantages & Disadvantages of L2TP
L2TP has some advantages, the largest of which is its compatibility with all major platforms, which makes it extremely versatile. The protocol is also capable of maintaining stable connections under poor network conditions.
It does lack authentication and encryption measures but L2TP is highly compatible with IPSec. Combining L2TP with IPSec provides the necessary attributes to encrypt data and facilitate IKEv2 handshakes.
On its own, L2TP isn’t a good choice if you want high-level security. It doesn’t have authentication or encryption measures, whereas newer protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2 can perform these functions alone. The protocol also needs more system data, bandwidth, and other resources, to work properly. This means it’s slower than most of the newer protocols, which can affect the overall performance of your system.
Some firewalls may block L2TP traffic if it doesn’t travel through specific ports. In general L2TP traffic using UDP port 1701 can pass through most firewalls. UDP port 500 is the most common port for L2TP/IPSec if you want to avoid blocks. Using specific ports is common but when you use a fixed port you become more susceptible to on-path attacks like Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM).
These attacks happen when an attacker squats at a port and attempts to intercept data in transit. Since L2TP doesn’t hide your IP address, using a fixed port also leaves you open to tracking. On the other hand, using a random L2TP or L2TP/IPSec port means network firewalls and other security tools could block you.
Quick Guide: The Cons & Pros of Using L2TP
-
- ⛔ Lacks authentication and encryption measures
- ⛔ Requires more system resources
- ⛔ Doesn’t hide the source IP address
- ⛔ Vulnerable to on-path attacks
- ⛔ Blocked by some firewalls
- ✅ Can be used on all major platforms
- ✅ Works under poor network conditions
- ✅ Can use it for remote access connections
- ✅ Excellent compatibility with IPSec
Can L2TP Be Used for Anything Besides VPNs?
We’ve established that L2TP isn’t the safest protocol, but it has practical applications outside VPNs – especially when combined with IPSec.
L2TP helps create remote connections between corporate networks and remote users, as it allows network administrators to manage remote IP addresses. Extending network connections via L2TP efficiently connects different branches of an organization over long distances. The protocol is also used to construct public WiFi networks in colleges, airports, and hotels.
The poor security of L2TP contributes to the need for a VPN while using remote connections and public networks. VPNs help mitigate the risks associated with L2TP by using strong encryption and protocols to mask your data and IP address. This decreases network vulnerabilities, makes your data unreadable, and helps prevent tracking.
What Other VPN Protocols Can I Use?
Protocols have evolved with VPNs, so you don’t have to risk your privacy or the security of your connection using an outdated protocol like L2TP with your VPN. The following protocols are faster and more secure than L2TP or L2TP/IPSec.
- OpenVPN: The unofficial standard protocol for VPN connections. Creates secure, reliable connections and uses high-level encryption.
- Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2): Works best when the server you’re connecting to is nearby, but offers strong security and fast speeds.
- WireGuard®: A newer protocol that provides fast speeds with strong security. This protocol works on OSI Layer 3 of the OSI model. It’s user-friendly, uses fewer system resources than IPSec, is faster than OpenVPN, and enhances performance.
Note: Point-to-Point (PPTP) wasn’t included in the above list of common VPN protocols, as L2TP is an extension of that protocol. This means it shares some of the same potential security risks as L2TP.
Due to information that the US National Security Agency (NSA) potentially compromised L2TP, several major commercial VPNs have discontinued support for L2TP and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPTP).
CyberGhost VPN discontinued support for L2TP and PPTP in 2020, due to security and privacy concerns associated with the protocol. Our VPN only uses the most secure protocols to increase the privacy and security of your network connections.
FAQ
L2TP VPNs route your traffic through their servers to provide additional privacy and security to your network connection. L2TP alone isn’t enough to create a VPN connection, it must be combined with the IPSec protocol. IPSec is responsible for the data authentication and encryption that keep your data and location private.
No. L2TP VPNs are vulnerable to a multitude of cyberattacks – even with IPSec. A VPN that uses modern protocols like OpenVPN offers privacy and security in one step. Using an L2TP/IPSec VPN also requires more system and network resources than a VPN that uses modern protocols.
Many global corporations or those with off-site workers use L2TP on routers to create a remote connection to private networks. This allows workers to use corporate resources from anywhere in the world. L2TP is also used to construct public network connections, so it’s often installed on routers in colleges, hotels, libraries, and other public locations that offer public WiFi.
Leave a comment