IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) is a secure VPN protocol created many years ago and has the benefit of running closer to your network hardware than other protocols like OpenVPN which runs in user-space like regular applications. Because of this, IKEv2 offers the fastest connection times and high speeds on most networks and it is often supported natively in operating systems, which makes it seamless to use.
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. But this is why we also offer a handful of other protocols that work on common ports which will usually not be blocked.
If you would like to use IKEv2, you can enable it in the desktop and mobile Windscribe apps by going to Preferences > Connection and setting the Connection Mode to Manual. Then select the IKEv2 Protocol.
FAQs
IKEv2 is used for secure VPN communication between VPN-capable devices and defines the negotiation and authentication for IPsec security associations. As it's one of the most popular VPN tunneling protocols, let's take a deeper look at it in this article.
Is the IKEv2 protocol safe? ›
Is IKEv2 secure? IKEv2 is one of the most secure VPN protocols. It supports 256-bit encryption, while working with leading cryptographic algorithms like Camellia, AES, and Blowfish.
What is the difference between IKEv2 and IPSec VPN? ›
IPSec / IKEv2
Internet key exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is often used in combination with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec). IKEv2 forges a secure tunnel connecting the user to the VPN server, while IPSec provides the encryption and authentication.
Is IKEv2 TCP or UDP? ›
As IKEv2 uses UDP, it has relatively low latency and will be a speedy option for most use cases. It also isn't very demanding for performance, so works well on weaker hardware devices.
Can IKEv2 be blocked? ›
Can IKEv2 be blocked? Yes, IKEv2 can be blocked by restricting access to the ports and protocols it uses, such as UDP port 500.
What is the vulnerability of IKEv2? ›
Key compromise: IKEv2 relies on exchanging cryptographic keys to establish a secure connection. If the keys are compromised through either brute-force attacks, cryptographic weaknesses, or other means, an attacker could decrypt the VPN traffic or impersonate the VPN server.
Is IKEv2 compromised? ›
Is IKEv2 Secure? IKEv2 is regarded as a secure VPN protocol. It incorporates methods like Diffie-Hellman key exchange to establish safe connections, ensuring that each session has unique encryption keys. Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) provides an additional layer of security by generating new keys for each session.
What is IKEv2 on iPhone? ›
Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is the default VPN setting for iOS. The IKEv2 is used to create a security association in the IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) suite. A security association (SA) establishes shared security attributes between two network entities to support secure communication.
Which operating system supports IKEv2 VPN? ›
About point-to-site VPN
| Tunnel type | Client OS | VPN client |
|---|
| IKEv2, SSTP | Windows | Native VPN client |
| IKEv2 | macOS | Native VPN client |
| IKEv2 | Linux | strongSwan |
| OpenVPN | Windows | Azure VPN client OpenVPN client |
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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.
IPsec VPNs' usage differs from SSL VPN
IPsec VPN securely interconnects entire networks (site-to-site VPN) OR remote users with a particular protected area such as a local network, application, or the cloud. SSL VPN creates a secure tunnel from the host's web browser to a particular application.
How to set up IKEv2 VPN? ›
Go to Settings -> Network & internet -> VPN, then tap the "+" button. Enter a name for the VPN profile. Select IKEv2/IPSec RSA from the Type drop-down menu. Enter Your VPN Server IP (or DNS name) in the Server address field.
What is IKEv2 mostly used by? ›
Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is among the fastest vpn protocols It is usually paired with IPSec and is commonly known as IKEv2/IPSec. The VPN protocol is widely implemented in mobile devices. This can be attributed to its fast speeds, stability, and high reliability when switching between networks.
Should I use IKEv2? ›
IKEv2 is an excellent choice, it is extremely fast, secure and reliable.
What type of VPN protocol is best? ›
VPN protocol comparison
| VPN protocol | Security | Good for |
|---|
| L2TP/IPsec | Secure | Good for increasing privacy while browsing |
| WireGuard | Very secure (no known vulnerabilities) | Everyday use |
| PPTP | Not secure | Outdated and not advised to use due to known issues |
| SSTP | Average | Connecting Windows devices |
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IKEv2 provides the following benefits over IKEv1: IKEv2 mode is considered to be more secure,reliable and faster. In IKEv2 Tunnel endpoints exchange fewer messages to establish a tunnel. IKEv2 uses four messages; IKEv1 uses either six messages (in the main mode) or three messages (in aggressive mode).
What ports are needed for IKEv2 VPN? ›
By default, IKEv2 uses IPSec, which requires UDP ports 500 and 4500, and ESP IP Protocol 50.
How to use IKEv2 on Android? ›
Connecting to NordVPN (IKEv2/IPSec) on Android
- Download the NordVPN IKEv2 connection certificate.
- Download and install the strongSwan VPN Client app from Google Play.
- Open the strongSwan application.
- Tap on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the app and select "CA certificates" from the drop-down menu.
