SSH vs VPN: Which tool is more secure?

The internet is an amazing place that offers us countless opportunities, but it also comes with its own set of risks. With threats lurking at every corner, it is important for us to take measures to protect ourselves online.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) and SSH (Secure Shell) are two tools that we can use to keep our online activities protected. While these technologies may seem similar, they serve different purposes. In our SSH vs VPN guide, we take a closer look at each of them.

What is the difference between SSH and VPN?

SSH systems and VPNs both establish secure tunnels that your data goes through. These tunnels only allow the intended recipient to access or modify your data.

However, there is a huge difference in the way SSH and VPN connections operate. While SSH connections only work at the application level, VPN connections provide protection to all your data.

In simple words, SSH secures the data exchanged between you and a remote server you want to connect to, whereas a VPN encrypts all the data sent and received over your network.

What is SSH (Secure Shell)?

SSH is the acronym of Secure Shell, a network protocol that enables you to securely access remote devices for transferring data or running commands. It encrypts and hides your traffic using encryption, which ensures the protection of your connection. 

This means that you can gain access to network resources from virtually anywhere. SSH is primarily useful when you need secure communication between two devices, such as your desktop at work and at home. 

How does SSH work?

In addition to allowing your devices to communicate and access the resources you need, the SSH protocol provides data protection using robust encryption, password authentication, as well as public-key authentication. This ensures that your data is secure while the SSH client sends it to the recipient device.

That being said, setting up and using SSH may require a certain level of technical proficiency. Indeed, creating a VPN from scratch would require more effort, but fortunately, you can avoid that by downloading a VPN app – it does not require any coding to use!

What are SSH tunnels?

An SSH tunnel is a secure, encrypted tunnel established using the SSH protocol. This tunnel is used to transfer unencrypted traffic to an SSH server while ensuring its protection.

Thanks to its robust encryption, an SSH client can be set up to function as a SOCKS proxy, which creates a unique P address before your data reaches its intended destination. SOCKS then uses the proxy to create UDP and TCP connections through IP addresses.

This is where SSH and a VPN are similar. From the perspective of the internet, your data is originating from the SSH server, much like a VPN and its servers.

It is important to note that SSH tunnels must be configured per application, and you can only control them using terminal commands instead of an app.

Pros of SSH

Here are the advantages of using SSH:

• Setting up an SSH server is generally less complicated than setting up a VPN server.

• The SSH protocol provides robust encryption to keep users protected against multiple threats like DNS leaks, IP address spoofing, among others.

• SSH tunnels offer a straightforward way to access a remote server or establish a remote terminal session between two or more devices.

Cons of SSH

Here are the disadvantages of using SSH: 

• SSH setup and management might be challenging for novice users due to the technical nature of the protocol and the command-line interface used to control it.

• Individual SSH connections will need to be created for every application you want secure remote access to. This can be a complicated process if you want to encrypt all your traffic.

What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

VPN is the acronym for Virtual Private Network, a technology that safeguards your online privacy by transmitting your traffic via an encrypted tunnel. This means that even if you connect to an unsecured hotspot or public Wi-Fi, your data is protected within the VPN tunnel.

By using a VPN, you can connect to a remote server from anywhere in just a few clicks. This enables you to bypass restrictive firewalls, evade geographical restrictions, and browse the internet with a layer of security.

How does a VPN work?

The encryption provided by a VPN enables everyday internet users to hide their traffic by routing it through a secure tunnel. To put it simply, your data travels from your device to its intended destination using a secure tunnel. The tunnel masks the traffic and makes it appear as if it is originating from another location, which protects your security and identity online.

This is especially useful when you want to access geo-restricted content or bypass ISP throttling. A VPN can prevent ISPs from seeing what you are doing online, thereby thwarting any attempts to limit your speeds. Additionally, a VPN also secures all traffic shared between networks using robust encryption, which shields you from prying eyes.

Pros of VPN

Here are the advantages of using a VPN:

• VPNs offer immediate encryption for all traffic coming from your device, without requiring any coding or server controls.
  
• Premium VPN apps typically provide access to servers in dozens of locations around the world, allowing you to appear as if you are connecting from anywhere you choose.
  
• VPNs are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to anyone. Many VPNs include a “Quick Connect” feature that lets you quickly and easily secure your data.
  
• VPNs protect all your network traffic, safeguarding your identity, data, and location, even if you are using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
  
• By masking your network usage, VPNs can help prevent ISPs from throttling your data.

Cons of VPN

Here are the disadvantages of using a VPN:

• Setting up a VPN at the server level can be a complicated process, but if you use a high-quality VPN service like PureVPN, you won’t have to worry about this.

• It is important to exercise caution when considering free VPNs, as these services offer weak encryption and even sell your data to third parties.

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SSH vs VPN – Which option is more secure?

When it comes to encryption security, both VPNs and SSH offer strong protection of your data. However, a VPN secures all your data, whereas SSH only works at an application level.

A VPN is not only easier to set up but also offers more security for most casual and business users. On the other hand, SSH is a better option for tech-savvy individuals who are looking for secure browsing within their private networks.

SSH vs VPN – Comparison

SSH	VPN
SInce an SSH tunnel uses a command-line interface, it is a good option for tech-savvy individuals looking for greater flexibility.	Most VPN users have to download an extension or app to start protecting their traffic. There is no complicated setup process.
If you have knowledge of coding or scripts, you can take advantage of an SSH tunnel to access files instantly, making it an ideal solution for file syncing.	If installed on the router, a VPN can make all your traffic appear to come from the location you desire.
An SSH server can handle multiple tasks such as remotely managing devices, testing software, installing updates, etc.	A VPN lets you connect your device to a server that can make it seem like you are in a different part of the world.
An SSH tunnel can be used by a casual user to remotely manage their music library, personal files and more even when they are not physically present near their device.	A VPN allows secure remote access to personal data and files while offering additional advantages like encrypting all traffic and protecting your identity and location.
SSH tunnels primarily use robust symmetric encryption and hashing algorithms like SHA, AES, and Blowfish to protect your data and ensure privacy.	A VPN uses a range of encryption protocols like OpenVPN and IPSec to protect your data and ensure privacy.

So, SSH or VPN?

While the initial setup process of a VPN can be more complicated than creating an SSH tunnel (that is, if you plan to set up your own VPN server), most VPN users can benefit from pre-configured systems. All they need to do is download the app, log in to their account, and select a location.

However, IT administrators or individuals who need to access a specific computer remotely may benefit more from SSH or a combination of both technologies to provide full and encrypted access to their devices. Ultimately, the choice between VPN and SSH comes down to your personal needs and requirements.