Abstract: A method including configuring a first server to determine an encrypted authentication packet, the configuring including, configuring the first server to determine a crypted code field to indicate a type associated with the encryption authentication packet and that at least a portion of the encryption authentication packet is encrypted, and configuring the first server to determine a crypted payload based at least in part on encrypting an initial authentication packet. The method may also include configuring the first server to transmit, to a second server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including receiving, by a first server from a second server, an encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process, the encrypted authentication packet including a crypted code field indicating that a portion of the encrypted authentication packet is encrypted and a crypted payload including an encrypted initial authentication packet; and transmitting, by the first server to the second server, a response based at least in part on determining that the portion of the encrypted authentication packet is encrypted and on decrypting the encrypted initial authentication packet. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including configuring a first server to receive, from a second server, an encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process, the encrypted authentication packet including a crypted code field indicating that a portion of the encrypted authentication packet is encrypted and a crypted payload including an encrypted initial authentication packet; and configuring the first server to transmit, to the second server, a response based at least in part on determining that the portion of the encrypted authentication packet is encrypted and on decrypting the encrypted initial authentication packet. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method in a virtual private network (VPN) environment, the method including determining, by a VPN server, an encrypted authentication packet based at least in part on utilizing an encryption key and a nonce to encrypt an initial authentication packet; transmitting, by the VPN server to an authentication server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable VPN authentication of a device requesting VPN services from the VPN server; determining, by the authentication server, a response regarding the VPN authentication based at least in part on decrypting the initial authentication packet utilizing a decryption key and the nonce; and transmitting, by the authentication server to the VPN server, the response regarding the VPN authentication. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including determining, by a first server, an encrypted authentication packet, the determining including, determining a crypted code field to indicate a type associated with the encryption authentication packet and that at least a portion of the encryption authentication packet is encrypted, and determining a crypted payload based at least in part on encrypting an initial authentication packet. The method may also include transmitting, by the first server to a second server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including receiving, by a first server from a second server, an encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process, the encrypted authentication packet including a crypted code field indicating a type associated with the encrypted authentication packet and a crypted payload including one or more encrypted fields; and transmitting, by the first server to the second server, a response based at least in part on determining the type associated with the encrypted authentication packet and on decrypting the one or more encrypted fields. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including determining, by a first server, an encrypted authentication packet, the determining including, determining a crypted code field to indicate a type associated with the encryption authentication packet and that at least a portion of the encryption authentication packet is encrypted, and determining a crypted payload based at least in part on encrypting one or more fields of an initial authentication packet; and transmitting, by the first server to a second server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including configuring a first server to determine an encrypted authentication packet, the configuring including, configuring the first server to determine a crypted code field to indicate a type associated with the encryption authentication packet and that at least a portion of the encryption authentication packet is encrypted, and configuring the first server to determine a crypted payload based at least in part on encrypting one or more fields of an initial authentication packet; and configuring the first server to transmit, to a second server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including configuring a first server to receive, from a second server, an encrypted authentication packet to enable the first server and the second server to conduct an authentication process, the encrypted authentication packet including a crypted code field indicating a type associated with the encrypted authentication packet and a crypted payload including one or more encrypted fields; and configuring the first server to transmit, to the second server, a response based at least in part on determining the type associated with the encrypted authentication packet and on decrypting the one or more encrypted fields. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including utilizing, during an established VPN connection between the VPN server and a user device, a first exit IP address to transmit a first query to a host device for retrieving data of interest requested by the user device; determining that the host device has blocked the first exit IP address; establishing, during the established VPN connection, a secure connection with a secondary server to enable communication of encrypted data between the VPN server and the secondary server; and transmitting, during the established VPN connection and over the secure connection to the secondary server, an encrypted message identifying the host device and the data of interest to be retrieved from the host device to enable the secondary server to transmit a second query to request the data of interest based on utilizing a second exit IP address is disclosed. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including assigning, based establishing a VPN connection with the user device, a first exit IP address to be utilized for retrieving information requested by the user device; determining, during the established VPN connection, a host device that is likely to block communication from the first exit IP address; modifying, based on determining the host device, associated DNS settings to return communication information associated with the VPN server itself when the information is to be retrieved from the host device; receiving, during the established VPN connection, the information retrieved from the host device based on utilizing a second exit IP address associated with a secondary server; and transmitting, during the established VPN connection, the information to the user device in accordance with the modified DNS settings is disclosed. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including receiving, by a processor associated with a read-only device, an access request to access an initial operating system from a requesting device associated with a virtual private network (VPN) server, the initial operating system being stored on a read-only memory associated with the read-only device; transmitting, by the processor to the requesting device based at least in part on receiving the access request, a request for authentication information associated with the VPN server; and controlling, by the processor, access to the initial operating system by the requesting device based at least in part on a result of a comparison of the authentication information associated with the VPN server with authentication information stored in the read-only memory. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including installing, by a VPN server on a volatile memory, an initial operating system to enable the VPN server to obtain a VPN operating system to enable the VPN server to provide VPN services; transmitting, by the VPN server based at least in part on installing the initial operating system, a request to an infrastructure device for the VPN operating system; receiving, by the VPN server based at least in part on transmitting the request, the VPN operating system from the infrastructure device; and installing, by the VPN server on the volatile memory, the VPN operating system to provide the VPN services. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including retrieving, by a processor associated with a virtual private network (VPN) server, an initial operating system stored in a non-volatile memory, the initial operating system being associated with the VPN server providing VPN services; storing, by the processor, the initial operating system in a volatile memory; executing, by the processor, the initial operating system from the volatile memory to obtain a VPN operating system; storing, by the processor, the VPN operating system in the volatile memory; and executing, by the processor, the VPN operating system from the volatile memory to provide the VPN services. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method for utilizing, by a virtual private network (VPN) server, a first exit internet protocol (IP) address to communicate data associated with a user device having an established VPN connection with the VPN server; suspending, by the VPN server for a given duration of time, utilizing the first exit IP address to communicate the data associated with the user device based at least in part on receiving a notification indicating that an amount of data communicated utilizing the first exit IP address satisfies a data threshold; and re-utilizing, by VPN server at an expiration of the given duration of time, the first exit IP address to communicate the data associated with the user device during the established VPN connection. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method in a virtual private network (VPN) environment, the method including determining, by a VPN server, an encrypted authentication packet based at least in part on utilizing an encryption key and a nonce to encrypt one or more fields of an initial authentication packet; transmitting, by the VPN server to an authentication server, the encrypted authentication packet to enable VPN authentication of a device requesting VPN services from the VPN server; determining, by the authentication server, a response regarding the VPN authentication based at least in part on decrypting the one or more fields utilizing a decryption key and the nonce; and transmitting, by the authentication server to the VPN server, the response regarding the VPN authentication. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method including accessing, by a device associated with a virtual private network (VPN) server, an initial operating system stored on a read-only device, the initial operating system being associated with the VPN server providing VPN services; receiving, by the device from the read-only device, a request for authentication information to authenticate the device as an authorized recipient of the initial operating system; transmitting, by the device to the read-only device, the authentication information; and receiving, by the device from the read-only device, the initial operating system based at least in part on transmitting the authentication information. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method for reassigning exit internet protocol (IP) addresses in a virtual private network (VPN), the method including selecting a first exit IP address for communicating data associated with a user device having an established VPN connection, receiving a notification that indicates occurrence of a network event associated with the first exit IP address, and communicating, during the established VPN connection, data associated with the user device using a second exit IP address, different from the first exit IP address. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method for reassigning exit internet protocol (IP) addresses in a virtual private network (VPN), the method comprising activating a first exit IP address for communicating data associated with a user device having an established VPN connection; deactivating, during the established VPN connection, the first exit IP address based at least in part on determining that an amount of data communication associated with the first exit IP address satisfies a data threshold; and activating, during the established VPN connection, a second exit IP address, different from the first exit IP address, for communicating data associated with the user device based at least in part on deactivating the first exit IP address. Various other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A method for reassigning exit internet protocol (IP) addresses in a virtual private network (VPN), the method including receiving a message indicating an amount of communication data associated with a first exit IP address, determining that the amount of communication data satisfies a data threshold associated with the first exit IP address, and transmitting, based at least in part on the determining, a notification indicating that the amount of communication data satisfies the data threshold. Various other aspects are contemplated.