OpenVPN

OpenVPN
Original author(s)James Yonan
Developer(s)OpenVPN project / OpenVPN Inc.
Initial release13 May 2001; 23 years ago (2001-05-13)[1]
Stable release2.6.12[2] (18 July 2024; 4 months ago (2024-07-18)) [±]
Repository
Written inC
Platform
TypeVPN
LicenseGNU GPLv2[10]
Websiteopenvpn.net Edit this on Wikidata

OpenVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) system that implements techniques to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It implements both client and server applications.

OpenVPN allows peers to authenticate each other using pre-shared secret keys, certificates or username/password. When used in a multiclient-server configuration, it allows the server to release an authentication certificate for every client, using signatures and certificate authority.

It uses the OpenSSL encryption library extensively, as well as the TLS protocol, and contains many security and control features. It uses a custom security protocol[11] that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. It is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls.[citation needed]

OpenVPN has been ported and embedded to several systems. For example, DD-WRT has the OpenVPN server function. SoftEther VPN, a multi-protocol VPN server, also has an implementation of OpenVPN protocol.[12]

It was written by James Yonan and is free software, released under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2).[13] Additionally, commercial licenses are available.[14]

  1. ^ OpenVPN Change Log - OpenVPN Release Notes
  2. ^ "Community Downloads". openvpn.net. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Downloads". openvpn.net. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Private Tunnel VPN - Android Apps on Google Play".
  5. ^ "Private Tunnel VPN". App Store. 23 October 2014.
  6. ^ "How to connect to Access Server from a Linux computer".
  7. ^ "FreeBSD Ports Search".
  8. ^ "OpenBSD Ports".
  9. ^ "The NetBSD Packages Collection: net/openvpn".
  10. ^ "openvpn_COPYING at master · OpenVPN_openvpn". GitHub. 30 July 2019. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  11. ^ "OpenVPN Security Overview". Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  12. ^ Bischoff, Paul (31 August 2018). "6 open source tools for making your own VPN". Opensource.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  13. ^ LinuxSecurity.com - OpenVPN: An Introduction and Interview with Founder, James Yonan
  14. ^ openvpn.net: Pricing, retrieved 12 December 2018