IKEv2 Protocol for VPN: What is IKEv2? | ExpressVPN (2024)

FAQs

IKEv2 Protocol for VPN: What is IKEv2? | ExpressVPN? ›

IKEv2

Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is a tunneling protocol, based on IPsec, that establishes a secure VPN communication between VPN devices and defines negotiation and authentication processes for IPsec security associations (SAs). Various VPN providers refer to this combination as IKEv2/IPsec, or IKEv2 VPN.

If your IKEv2 clients require different settings, you can edit these settings after you run the wizard. By default, the Mobile VPN with IKEv2 address pool is 192.168. 114.0/24. We recommend that you do not use the private network ranges 192.168.

On your Android device, go to Google Play , search and install strongSwan VPN Client app. VPN Type – IKEv2 EAP (Username/Password). Username – your IVPN account ID that begins with letters 'ivpnXXXXXXXX' or 'i-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX' (case-sensitive). Password – ivpn .

IVPN implements IKEv2 using AES with 256 bit keys. OpenVPN uses the OpenSSL library to provide encryption. OpenSSL implements a large number of cryptographic algorithms such as 3DES, AES, RC5, Blowfish. As with IKEv2, IVPN implements AES with 256 bit keys.

IKEv2 uses non-standard UDP ports so you need to ensure that these ports are not blocked on the user's firewall. The ports in use are UDP 500 and 4500.

The best VPN protocol for you depends on a number of factors, including what device you're using, how much balance between security and speed you want, what type of activities you're doing online, and more. OpenVPN and WireGuard are generally considered the best VPN protocols for day-to-day use.

Click the advanced options button in the lower left corner of the VPN client window. The icon will look like a gear. In the new window that opens, look in the Statistics tab under Address Information and the IP address provided by the VPN will be the line that reads “Client (IPv4).”

The Remote ID is the server address and the Local ID is the vpn username. Then the Remote ID will be also eu-fr.321inter.net, and the Local ID will be same as your username.

One downside of IKEv2, though, is that it is only used on Port 500 which makes it easier to block by network administrators as they can simply block Port 500 on the network and IKEv2 won't connect anymore.

What is the authentication method of IKEv2? ›

IKEv2 uses pre-shared key and Digital Signature for authentication. See RFC 4306. is an updated version of IKE that is faster and supports a wider variety of authentication mechanisms. IKEv2. IKEv2 uses the secure channel established in Phase 1 to negotiate Security Associations on behalf of services such as IPsec.

To find the ID for a VPN or Private Network Connection

Click the name of the VPN or Private Network Connection for which you need the ID. The ID is displayed in the browser address bar, after vpns/ . For example, if the URL for environment is https://cloud.skytap.com/vpns/vpn-443322 , the ID number is vpn-443322 .

In a nutshell, IKEV2 sets up a security association (SA) that negotiates security keys used by both the VPN client and the VPN server. Once IKEv2 validates the security association, a secure tunnel is set, which prompts encrypted communication between the two peers. IKEv2/IPSec uses the more robust 256-bit encryption.

IKEv2 offers a more stable and consistent VPN connection than IKEv1—due to its support of MOBIKE (Mobility and Multi-homing Protocol). Using encryption keys for both ends of the VPN connection, IKEv2 is more secure than IKEv1. With its built-in NAT traversal, IKEv2 establishes a connection much faster than IKEv1.

IKEv2 is supported on Windows 10 and Server 2016. However, in order to use IKEv2 in certain OS versions, you must install updates and set a registry key value locally. OS versions prior to Windows 10 aren't supported and can only use SSTP or OpenVPN® Protocol.

IKEv2 and OpenVPN are both solid choices when it comes to speed, security, and reliability. IKEv2 has the edge when it comes to speed and is a better choice for mobile devices due to its stability. However, OpenVPN is the stronger option if security is the top priority, and it still offers a fast connection.

While IKEv2 is generally considered secure, users should be aware of a few probable security issues as: Implementation vulnerabilities: Like any cryptographic protocol, the security of IKEv2 depends on the correct protocol implementation in software or hardware.

Whether police can track VPN traffic is a common concern among users seeking online privacy. The truth is: the police can't monitor encrypted VPN traffic. However, they can ask your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide connection or usage logs through a court order, which can lead them to your VPN provider.