What Is PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol)? | ExpressVPN (2024)

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What Is PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol)? | ExpressVPN (1)

What is PPTP?

PPTP stands for Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol. PPTP, operating on TCP port 1723, is one of the oldest VPN protocols still in use, having been around since Windows 95 and standard on all versions of Windows since. PPTP was developed by a Microsoft initiative to encapsulate another protocol called PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol).

Out of all the VPN protocols, PPTP is one of the most common, easiest to set up, and computationally fastest. For that reason, PPTP is useful for applications in which speed is paramount, like audio or video streaming, and on older, slower devices with more limited processors.

However, PPTP is also subject to serious security vulnerabilities. Its underlying authentication protocols, usually MS-CHAP-v1/v2, are fundamentally unsecure and have been repeatedly cracked in security analyses since PPTP was introduced.

For this reason, PPTP is NOT recommended except in cases where security is absolutely non-essential, and the protocol is not supported by any ExpressVPN app.

What Is PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol)? | ExpressVPN (2)

Other VPN protocols

In addition to offering a standard set of protocols, ExpressVPN built Lightway to outdo them all in speed, reliability, and security. Give it a try to see for yourself. Learn more about Lightway.

If you’re still not sure which VPN protocol to choose, simply let the ExpressVPN app automatically select the best one for you.

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What Is PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol)? | ExpressVPN (2024)

FAQs

What Is PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol)? | ExpressVPN? ›

Point-to-Point

Point-to-Point
In computer networking, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is a data link layer (layer 2) communication protocol between two routers directly without any host or any other networking in between. It can provide loop detection, authentication, transmission encryption, and data compression.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Point-to-Point_Protocol
Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a network protocol that enables the secure transfer of data from a remote client to a private enterprise server by creating a virtual private network (VPN) across TCP/IP-based data networks.

What is Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP? ›

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) is a network protocol used to establish a secure VPN connection over the internet. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol facilitates the private transfer of data from a remote client to a server by encapsulating packets at a TCP/IP level.

What is Microsoft Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP official? ›

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard protocol that allows the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) [RFC1661] to be tunneled through an IP network.

What is point to point IP tunneling? ›

Point-to-point IP-in-IP encapsulation and decapsulation is a type of tunnel that you can create to send encapsulated packets from a source tunnel interface to a destination tunnel interface. This type of tunnel will carry both inbound and outbound traffic.

Is PPTP VPN safe? ›

PPTP lacks support for Perfect Forward Secrecy, an essential aspect of any encryption system that frequently changes the encryption keys. That prevents your sensitive data from being exposed if the encryption key is compromised. As I've mentioned, PPTP has many known vulnerabilities and security issues.

What is point to point protocol used for? ›

In computer networking, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is a data link layer (layer 2) communication protocol between two routers directly without any host or any other networking in between. It can provide loop detection, authentication, transmission encryption, and data compression.

What is the purpose of a tunneling protocol? ›

Protocols used in network tunneling

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): a network protocol that enables data transfer from a remote client to a private network. PPTP creates a VPN, operating on TCP port 1723. PPTP is one of the oldest VPN protocols, and it supports on-demand and multi-protocol VPNs.

What is the PPTP protocol of NAT? ›

PPTP is a TCP-based protocol. Therefore, when NAT recognizes a TCP packet as a PPTP packet, it invokes the PPTP ALG parse-callback function. The PPTP ALG fetches the embedded call ID from the PPTP header and creates a translation token for the header. The PPTP ALG also creates data channels for related GRE tunnels.

What is the advantage of PPTP? ›

PPTP is known for its high-speed performance in VPNs. Its high level of cross-platform compatibility makes it easy for clients to establish PPTP connections across various platforms. Setting up and configuring PPTP is a straightforward process on most devices and operating systems.

What are the two 2 types of tunneling in Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP? ›

PPTP and L2TP

PPTP uses Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) to pass PPP via IP, and uses TCP for a control channel (using TCP port 1723). The Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) combines PPTP and Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F), designed to tunnel PPP.

What is IP tunneling used for? ›

An IP tunnel is an Internet Protocol (IP) network communications channel between two networks. It is used to transport another network protocol by encapsulation of its packets.

What is the vulnerability of PPTP? ›

Vulnerability to man-in-the-middle attacks: PPTP is susceptible to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where an attacker intercepts the communication between the VPN client and server. This can potentially expose sensitive data and compromise the security of the VPN connection.

What is the use of point-to-point network? ›

Point-to-point networks are used to connect two locations together via a private, dedicated line. This allows companies to transfer data between multiple buildings (for example) without the security risks of data being intercepted associated with a public internet connection.

What is the PPTP protocol used for? ›

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a network protocol that enables the secure transfer of data from a remote client to a private enterprise server by creating a virtual private network (VPN) across TCP/IP-based data networks.

Is PPTP still used? ›

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is an obsolete method for implementing virtual private networks. PPTP has many well known security issues. PPTP uses a TCP control channel and a Generic Routing Encapsulation tunnel to encapsulate PPP packets.

What is the disadvantage of PPTP? ›

What is the disadvantage of PPTP? The main disadvantage of Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol is its weak security and susceptibility to breaches.

Should a VPN use PPTP for tunneling? ›

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is an obsolete method for implementing virtual private networks. PPTP has many well known security issues. PPTP uses a TCP control channel and a Generic Routing Encapsulation tunnel to encapsulate PPP packets.

What is the difference between VPN and point-to-point? ›

A VPN creates a private connection between two points over the internet, using encryption and networking. A P2P private line is a physical circuit provided by a telecommunication company that is dedicated to its owner, connecting two points. Bith accomoplish secure communications that connect two remote networks.

What is Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP and Layer 2 tunneling protocol L2TP? ›

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol supports secure server-client data transfer by creating a VPN across TCP/IP-powered networks. PPTP supports multi-protocol, on-demand VPNs over public networks. On the other hand, the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol supports VPN and ISP service delivery.

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