The Myth and Realities of IP Security
Internet security is a hot topic these days with the rise of cyberattacks. However, as the technology improves and search engines like Google improve users’ secure online experience, hackers also enhance their skills to apply advanced hacking techniques.
Privacy is one of the most critical issues on the internet, but it’s difficult to find a consensus on what “privacy” means. Is it anonymity? Is it secrecy? Is it security from hackers and other malicious actors? If you are an internet user doesn’t matter for what purpose you use it; keep reading this article.
The Internet is a vast place with many different parts, but the discussion about security focuses on one area: IP Security. This post will explore what this means and how it affects you as an internet user. Users often ask, “Is IP Security real?” “What are the benefits of IP security?” Readers will get answers to these and other questions in this article. So, stay tuned!
Top Myths About Internet Security:
Some of the myths users have in their minds about internet security are the following:
1) People need antivirus software or firewall if they want protection.
2) Hackers can’t get into my computer.
3) If I have good passwords, then I’m safe.
4) The most important thing is making sure your anti-virus software is up to date.
5) All hackers use malicious email attachments.
Importance of using Anonymous IP address & How people can get one?
It is crucial to get IP address protection. People can get one by choosing a secure and encrypted VPN. We recommend users use VeePN. It also has a free trial. They can enjoy an unlimited connection with VeePN and have an access to IP anonymous address . Some of the reasons and benefits of the IP anonymous address are the following:
- People can prevent hackers attacks with an anonymous address and location.
- Government organisations can’t spy on people.
- ISP can’t track your activities.
- Secure and Private Financial Transactions.
- Block ads and phishing attacks.
- Improve Internet Speed.
As IPsec service is providing great security to users for private, secure, and encrypted information transmission. However, It is still vital to use a VPN to get covered and hide your location from potential hackers and snoopers. So, you can browse more safely and confidently.
What is IP security and its architecture?
IP stands for “Internet Protocol.” It’s basically your online identity that tells other computers who you are and where you’re located. This important information is used to prevent people from hacking or spamming, among other things.
What is IPSec? Internet Protocol Security is also known as IPsec, a suite of protocols used to secure the transmission of data/information over the open internet. IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) developed these IPsec protocols in the mid of 1990s. The purpose was to secure the IP layer by authentication and encrypting the IP network packets.
Authentication Header (AH) and Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) were the two protocols originally defined by IPsec to secure IP packets. Authentication Header (AH) is defined to provide anti-replay services and data integrity. While Encapsulating Security Payload is defined to encrypt and authenticate data.
We’ll discuss shortly more about these protocols and how does IP security work? But, first, let’s discuss the architecture.
Architecture:
All general concepts, definitions, protocols, algorithms fall under architecture. The two protocols we just mentioned, AH and ESP, are part of Internet protocol security architecture. DOI, algorithms, Key Management, and protocols are all the key components of IP security architecture for providing essential IPsec services, including Integrity, Confidentiality, and Authentication.
The actual sequence of the architecture is the following:
- Protocols: AH & ESP
- Algorithms: Authentication, Encryption
- DOI
- Key Management
Let’s briefly discuss them one by one.
Protocols:
ESP Protocol: As we already mentioned above, It’s known as Encapsulation Security Payload. ESP can be applied in two ways:
- ESP with Authentication
- ESP with optional Authentication
The encrypted packet format is the following:
- SPI: It is Security Parameter Index that is used in Security Association. The primary role of this is to provide a unique number to the connection built between server and client.
- Sequence Number: A unique number associated with each packet so that a user at the receiver end can receive them in a proper sequence.
- Payload: Payload data is the actual message which is in encrypted form to keep it private and secure while transmitting over the internet.
- Padding: Padding is the extra bit of space that is added to the message for security purposes.
- Next Header: It means the next actual message.
AH Protocol: In IPsec, AH, also known as Authentication Header, is used and applied in only one way. That means authentication with integrity. Thus, AH covers both packet format and general issues about packet authentication and integrity.
Algorithms:
Encryption: The encryption algorithm is used with ESP to keep the data encrypted.
Authentication: It contains the set of instructions/documents used with AH.
DOI:
It is also called the “Domain of Interpretation” and works as an identifier for both protocols: AH and ESP. In addition, it stores the values that are needed for documentation.
Key Management:
Key Management provides you details about how keys are exchanged between receiver and sender.
How does IPsec work and Its Purpose?
The primary purpose and usage of Internet Protocol Security is to protect the sensitive data that transmits over the internet like financial transactions, communication, etc. It means using an open, unsecured network is risky, and you need IP address protection. We’ll discuss later how you can get an anonymous IP address.
IPsec can be used to encrypt application layers and even authenticate data without encryption when the sender is known. HTTPS provides encryption at the application layer. While for the transport layer, TLS (Transport layer security) is used for providing encryption.
Now, Let’s see how it works exactly.
Working of IPsec:
There are five steps involved. We’ll discuss them briefly here.
1- Host Recognition: For outgoing packets, the internet protocol security starts processing when it recognises a packet that needs encryption and should be transmitted with protection. Such packets are known as “interesting traffic”. For incoming packets, the host system checks that whether the packet has been encrypted and authenticated correctly or not.
2- Negotiation: In the second step, hosts negotiate the Internet protocol security policies to create a secure circuit. The negotiation is used to create a secure channel for data transmission. The second step is also known as IKE Phase 1.
3- IKE Phase 2: In the third step, the IPsec circuit is created over the secure channel built-in in step 2. At this stage, hosts negotiate with algorithms that will take part in data transmission.
4- Transmission: In this step, hosts exchange the encrypted data securely via the secure tunnels.
5- Termination: This is the final step. After exchanging data securely, the tunnel is terminated.
In this way, Internet protocol security helps people in transmitting their data over the internet securely.
