A Better Understanding of What Split Tunneling Is and How It Works

Have you ever heard of split tunneling? If you’re a tech-savvy individual, then the answer is yes. But what exactly is it, and what does it do? This blog post will give you a better understanding of split tunneling and how it works. After reading this article, you’ll be able to decide whether or not split tunneling is right for you. 

What Is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling is a term used to describe the process of directing some of your internet traffic through a virtual private network (VPN) while allowing other traffic to go directly to the open internet. When you enable split tunneling, you can specify which applications should use the VPN and which ones should bypass it. A VPN for split tunneling is useful in ensuring that sensitive data is always encrypted while still taking advantage of the higher speeds available on the open internet. However, it’s important to note that not all VPNs support split tunneling, so you’ll need to ensure your chosen provider offers this feature before you sign up. Some VPNs that offer this feature include NordVPN and ExpressVPN. 

How Does Split Tunneling Work?

To understand how split tunneling works, you need to know how a VPN works. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server. That makes it difficult for anyone to snoop on your traffic or see what you are doing online. It can also bypass geo-restrictions or access content typically blocked in your country. 

Split tunneling is a computer networking concept that allows a user to access two different networks at the same time. For example, a user could be logged into a work network and a home network simultaneously. It can be helpful for employees who need to access sensitive company data while also being able to browse the internet or check their email.

Split tunneling can also route traffic through different networks, depending on which one is faster or more reliable. For instance, users could have their data traffic go through a VPN while their video streaming traffic goes through a regular internet connection. Split tunneling can improve security or speed, depending on how it is configured.

Different Types of Split Tunneling

URL-based split

It lets you specify which URLs should be routed through the VPN and which ones should bypass it using a VPN browser extension.

App-based split

It only routes the traffic from selected apps through the VPN. All other traffic bypasses the VPN.

Inverse-based split

Unlike other types, it routes all traffic through the VPN except the selected Apps and URLs.

Benefits of Using Split Tunneling

Improve Internet Speed

Split tunneling is a routing technique that can improve internet speed. Splitting the traffic between different channels allows for more efficient bandwidth use and can help avoid congestion. In addition, you can also use split-tunneling to route traffic around problems such as slow or unavailable servers. As a result, it can provide a significant speed boost for users looking to improve their internet connection. 

Enhanced Security

When you browse the internet, your computer sends data through an encrypted tunnel to your ISP. But what if you want to access a website that is not secure? That is where split tunneling comes in. Split tunneling allows you to route some of your traffic through a different tunnel, separate from your main connection. This can be useful if you want to access a site that is not secure or if you want to improve your security. 

Access More Than One Networks at the Same Time

When you are logged into two networks simultaneously, you can easily switch between them or access both of them simultaneously. You don’t have to worry about losing connection to one of the networks. Or switching back and forth between them.

Drawbacks of Using Split Tunneling

Split tunneling can increase the complexity of your network. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could accidentally route sensitive data through the open internet instead of the VPN. It could lead to data leaks or security breaches. It can also make it more difficult to troubleshoot problems or configure security features.

It can be less secure than using a VPN all the time. A VPN encrypts all of your traffic, whereas split tunneling only encrypts some of it.

Despite these potential drawbacks, split tunneling can be a useful tool for businesses or individuals who need to improve their internet speed or enhance their security. It can be a powerful way to protect your data and improve your overall internet experience when used correctly.

If you’re interested in using split tunneling, do your research and configure it properly. It can be a great way to improve your internet experience, but only if it’s done right. By understanding how split tunneling works, you can ensure your traffic goes through the VPN and protect your privacy and security.