OVERVIEW
What is VPN split tunneling?
VPN split tunneling enables you to selectively choose what part of your internet traffic goes through an encrypted VPN tunnel, and what part accesses the internet directly.
In the market, you may find this capability working in two ways:
Encrypt most, except some
In this type, your entire internet traffic is encrypted and routed through the VPN tunnel, except for specific parts you choose to exclude. These excluded parts connect directly to the internet without encryption.
Encrypt only selected traffic
Contrary to the first type, here, only certain selected parts of your traffic are encrypted and pass through the VPN. The remaining traffic accesses the internet directly, without encryption.
MECHANICS
How does VPN split tunneling work?
It works by dividing your internet traffic. One part of your traffic goes through an encrypted VPN tunnel for security, while the other accesses the internet directly, maintaining speed and efficiency. This division can be based on various criteria, such as specific apps, IP addresses, or websites.
ADVANTAGES
The edge of split tunneling
Better performance
VPN split tunneling boosts network efficiency by giving you control over which traffic is encrypted. This selective approach reduces latency, enhancing overall performance.
Maintaining security
Split tunneling ensures security for critical data while allowing faster direct access for less sensitive traffic.
Optimize bandwidth usage
By rerouting traffic directly to the internet, split tunneling efficiently manages bandwidth, ensuring enhanced network performance and smoother access to essential sites.
Cost efficiency
With reduced data load on the VPN, split tunneling can cut down on data usage costs, especially for businesses handling large volumes of data.
TYPES
Different types of VPN split tunneling
URL-based split tunneling
URL-based split tunneling allows specific domains to bypass the VPN tunnel, allowing to have direct internet access while maintaining the encryption for other sites.
IP-based split tunneling
IP-based split tunneling lets you route traffic for specific IP addresses directly to the internet, bypassing the VPN encryption
App-based split tunneling
App-based split tunneling secures selected applications with VPN protection while the rest of your internet traffic remains unencrypted for faster access.
NORDLAYER COVERAGE
NordLayer's split tunneling scope
NordLayer focuses on URL-based split tunneling, enabling selective web traffic routing through different paths. This feature encrypts general traffic while allowing listed domains to bypass the VPN tunnel for direct internet access.
Experience smart browsing: enhance your navigation with our URL-based split tunneling
NordLayer’s Browser Extension, available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, enhances your browsing experience with URL-based split tunneling. Protect your online activities selectively, ensuring optimal performance and security.
USE CASES
Practical applications of URL-based split tunneling
Internet latency & disruptions
URL-based split tunneling mitigates disruptions in domains like Zoom or Teams, offering smoother experiences by excluding them from VPN encryption.
Optimizing bandwidth usage
Split tunneling improves network performance by allowing selected traffic to bypass the VPN, reducing congestion.
VPN connection restrictions
For websites that restrict VPN connection, URL-based split tunneling offers a solution, ensuring secure browsing for other sites.
ACTIVATION
Enabling NordLayer's feature
NordLayer makes enabling URL-based split tunneling straightforward and user-friendly.
Register to NordLayer
Choose our Premium subscription plan
Go to the Control Panel
Navigate to Browser Extension settings
Configure URL-based split tunneling
Once enabled, end users will be able to get direct internet access to specified domains
MORE INFORMATION
Frequently asked questions
While VPN split tunneling can introduce certain security considerations, proper configuration significantly reduces these risks. In some scenarios, it's not necessary to protect all internet traffic. By strategically using split tunneling to encrypt only the traffic that matters most, you can enhance your online experience without compromising on security.
By default, all traffic passes through the VPN tunnel, but you can choose to exclude certain traffic from encryption using the Browser Extension.
Split tunneling differs from full tunneling primarily in speed and security. Full tunneling routes all traffic through a VPN, offering more protection but potentially slower speeds due to heavy encryption. Split tunneling encrypts selected part of your traffic, enhancing performance for activities like video streaming and calls while easing the load on the HQ infrastructure. NordLayer's current focus is on a partial split tunneling solution, particularly for specific use cases.