If you work for an organization, you must’ve noticed that they require you to connect to a VPN server whenever you access the remote devices with your device. The VPN server encrypts and encapsulates the connection to give you a safe passage to the content of the device. This practice helps the organization safeguard sensitive data and helps you not get your identity and internet history hijacked.
Personal users who don’t need to be concerned about network security, are more prone to use DNS proxies that lets them access geo-blocked content hassle-free.
Today, we will discuss how VPN differs from DNS proxy and which one is the perfect match for you.
What Is a Smart DNS Proxy
As we visit a domain with its name (like Google, Facebook, etc,.), web browsers communicate with the domain servers with their IP address. The process of finding the IP address associated with a particular domain is known as DNS lookup.
The performance of domain lookup is improved by using smart DNS proxy servers.
The way a DNS proxy works is similar to how almost every proxy works. By changing something that can be tracked down to the source of the request.
The difference between a smart DNS proxy and a forward proxy is that the DNS proxy replaces the “DNS requests” with a new DNS resolution query, but the forward proxies reroute the requests to change the IP address through physical or virtual devices.
In easy terms, Legacy proxies change your IP address. Smart DNS proxies change your DNS request with a new one.
A geo-blocked content is a piece of information available on the internet that can’t be accessed from particular regions. Typical usage of any proxy includes accessing geo-blocked content through a free list of proxies, which alternates the IP every few minutes.
Smart DNS proxies offer faster and more relevant access to geo-blocked content using servers that are closer to the source; for physical distance affects the speed of the connection. The other usages may include data scraping, content blocking, traffic balancing, and so forth.
What Is a VPN Server
Virtual private networks (VPN) are fundamentally very different from smart DNS proxies. VPN connections encrypt all of the traffic that passes to and from your device or network by tunneling the whole connection. VPN doesn’t use hard-wired connections as in leased lines or trusted connections, instead uses a virtual connection that keeps the traffic safe from outside intervention.
VPN servers work for every application, browser, and network element that drives traffic to the internet, intranet, or your remote site. Your network traffic is encapsulated with encryption and transported to the destination by the means of authorization and authentication.
VPN servers also mask your IP address to keep you anonymous from the prying eyes on the internet. When using public Wi-Fi in cafes and shops, connecting to a VPN server can save you from getting cyber attacked. The smart DNS proxies fail in this aspect.
Differences Between Smart DNS Proxy and VPN server
Let’s categorically understand the difference between a smart DNS proxy and a VPN server.
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Privacy
The primary reason to use a proxy or VPN almost always narrows down to privacy. Whether accessing the internet freely or safeguarding yourself from cyber attackers, the reasons for using a smart DNS proxy or a VPN server are always similar. But, the difference between those often compels us to choose one over the other.
VPN Server
VPN servers establish a network tunnel from your device or network to the target server. VPN servers encapsulate every bit of traffic that is to be originated or received by you. In addition to the secure pipeline being very effective to prevent cyber attacks, VPN servers also protect you from browser cookies.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS proxies never establish a secure pipeline to the servers so that your requests are being sent. They fundamentally take care of your queries by changing the DNS address, but the IP address remains the same throughout the cycle.
This practice, although effective in accessing geo-blocked content and bypassing firewalls, does little to protect your privacy.
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Faster Connection
Whatever service you choose for your personal or organizational requirement, if the solution isn’t fast enough to fulfill your requirements, it’s futile. Although most modern VPN servers and Smart DNS proxies are fast enough to handle most tasks, there’s a significant speed difference between them.
VPN Server
As VPN servers are more focused on keeping your browsing sessions protected, they go through a comparatively complex process before sending the request through. The process involves encryption and tunneling. But, that doesn’t imply that VPN servers are slow. The majority of the VPN servers available today are fast enough.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS proxies are generally faster than VPN servers. The difference in speed is observable while streaming or doing data-intensive tasks on the internet. As the objective of DNS proxies is to let you access geo-blocked content, the process needs to be faster to provide you with uninterrupted service. Otherwise, the point of having such technology fails.
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Security and Encryption
Not everyone needs the greatest security measures to access the internet. The extent of required encryption and security solely depends on the activity of the user. If you are accessing a sensitive protected server, your parameters of required security must differ from someone who is surfing YouTube.
VPN Server
VPN servers are far more secure than Smart DNS proxies. The VPN servers encrypt the data that is to be transported through several encryption methods and in most cases follow security protocols like IKEv2 and PPTP to protect the pipeline from external intervention. VPN servers are generally more secure.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS proxies don’t consider security as their priority. And rightfully so. As the DNS proxy servers don’t even hide your IP address (they change the DNS), adapting to a better security protocol by sacrificing speed nullifies the point.
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Protocol Differences
Protocols are the laws that the technologies follow to comply with the task that they are assigned to do. The difference between protocols is quite visible in these two different types of products.
VPN Server
PPTP and IKEv2 protocols are the most popular VPN protocols that safeguard sensitive data from cyber attacks.
The PPTP protocol creates a secure pipeline between you and the server for safe data transactions.
The IKEv2 protocol exchanges an internet key that is bound by a session timeout ticket. The source hands over a virtual key to the target, and when the data successfully reaches the target, the key is used to decrypt it.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS proxies change the DNS of the source but don’t typically follow a protocol to secure the data being sent or received.
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Pricing
Pricing is an important factor for personal or organizational use.
VPN Server
VPN servers are generally pricier than smart DNS servers. The price includes internet safety, IP masking, and other security features that are absent in smart DNS proxy servers.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS proxy servers are cheaper than VPN servers. The price includes a faster connection, accessing geo-blocked content, and other user-centric features that VPN lacks.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, you’re now aware of the difference between VPN servers and smart DNS proxies. The main difference between them is the issue that they intend to solve. While VPN is focused on cybersecurity, DNS proxy is more focused on providing faster access to the user. The other differences include encryption, pricing, and protocol differences.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).