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VPN Glossary

VPN Software (Client)

VPN software (often called the VPN client) is the application that creates and manages the encrypted tunnel on your device. The client chooses protocol ...

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VPN Software (Client)

VPN software (often called the VPN client) is the application that creates and manages the encrypted tunnel on your device. The client chooses protocol settings, handles authentication, selects servers or nodes, and applies leak protection and kill switch rules. A good client is as important as a good network: weak clients can leak DNS, fail to reconnect safely, or mis-handle IPv6. When comparing VPN software, prioritize modern protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN with strong ciphers, or IKEv2), clear controls for DNS/IPv6, and robust always-on behavior. Advanced features include split tunneling, multi-hop, obfuscation, and per-network auto-connect rules. For business use, clients may integrate with SSO and device posture checks. In DVPN ecosystems, the client may also select decentralized routes and manage node reputations or payments; that makes transparency and update integrity even more important. Treat the client like security software: keep it updated, avoid unofficial builds, and periodically run leak tests to confirm configuration remains correct after OS updates.