With VPN usage on the rise in the UK and USA (some 44% of Brits have used a virtual private network), the scope and functionality of this technology is continuing to scale considerably.

We’re also seeing different programming languages used to underpin VPNs and add functionality. Include high-level and dynamic iterations such as Python.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at how to create a Python-powered VPN, including what you’ll need to achieve this objective successfully.

What is a VPN?

A VPN describes a virtual private network, which is an encrypted tunnel or connection that’s created between your device and a remote server operated by a dedicated client.

As an encrypted tunnel, all data and web traffic that’s transmitted will appear as indecipherable strings of code to hackers and third parties, making it virtually impossible to access and leverage for nefarious purposes.

Similarly, the use of a remote server location helps to mask your device’s IP address and physical location, which in turn negates the risk of doxxing and malicious malware attacks while helping you to access geographically restricted content through streaming platforms such as Netflix.

What’s Python?

As we’ve already touched on, Python is a sophisticated and general purpose programming language, and one that has been specifically designed to emphasize code readability.

It also emphasizes this with the use of significant indentation, while Python is considered to be a dynamically typed language.

The latter means that an interpreter will assign variables a type at runtimes when using Python, based on the relevant variable’s real-time value. This makes Python similar to widely used alternatives such as JavaScript, while both support multiple programming paradigms such as structured and functional systems.

Because of these factors, Python is ideal when creating a software-based VPN, whereas hardware alternatives rely on the deployment of open source platforms such as OpenVPN.

What Do You Need to Create a VPN With Python?

Python is also a relatively easy programming language to learn and deploy, so it’s ideal for creating VPNs whether you’re a beginner or a more seasoned developer.

But what do you need to create a virtual private network with Python? Here are some essential components:

• A functioning computer with Internet access
• An active VPN client account
• A VPN library (such as VPNSocket)
• An SSH tunneling module (such as sshtunnel) to create encrypted connections
• Knowledge and understanding of Python and how it works
• A rudimentary knowledge of networking concepts

How to Create a VPN Using Python

If you still want to create a VPN for UK usage, you’ll also need to follow a number of chronological steps. These include:

• #1. Choose a Viable Python Library: There are numerous reasons why you may want to create your own VPN, from optimised privacy to the need for advanced network protection. Regardless, you’ll need to select a relevant library or protocol to suit your desired application, with OpenVPN offering a viable and universal option. This provides all the features required to create a functioning VPN, while it’s also incredibly easy to use.

• #2. Install the Library: The next step is to install the library, initially by creating a VPN project and establishing an ‘instance’ of the VPN class. This class requires two arguments; namely the server (or IP) address and the port number of which you want the VPN client to be active. This should be a quick and simple step that’s easy to complete!

• #3. Establish the Settings: Then comes the setup process, which requires you to first set up a VPN object and configure this using the right settings. This can be achieved by opening a VPN object and constructing it with the following parameters:

• The name of your VPN
• Your chosen server’s IP address
• Your server’s port
• The type of encryption you want to use
• A password for the user account to connect with the VPN

• #4. Connect to the Server and Test Your Connection: The penultimate step is to connect to the VPN server, by opening a terminal window and typing ‘python -m vpn.server --port 443’. This will open a connection to the VPN server, through which you can enter your relevant VPN credentials and hit ‘Enter’. To finish, simply test this by connecting to the VPN server for real, to guarantee both security and functionality.

The Last Word

If you’re going to create a bespoke VPN, then Python is arguably one of the best and most accessible programming languages used.

This is certainly easy to learn and deploy, while it can underpin exceptional functionality so long as you have rudimentary knowledge of Python and basic networking principles!