What type of encryption does SonicWall SSL VPN typically use?

SonicWall SSL VPN typically uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption. AES is a widely used symmetric encryption algorithm recognized for its efficiency and security. It can use key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits, making it robust against various forms of cryptographic attacks. This level of security is especially important for VPNs, as they handle sensitive data and require protection against unauthorized access.

The choice of AES aligns with industry standards for secure communications, ensuring that data transmitted over the VPN remains confidential and intact. Its adoption is not only due to its strong security but also because it offers good performance, making it suitable for real-time applications often run over VPN connections, such as video conferencing or VoIP.

In comparing this with the other options, Data Encryption Standard (DES) is considered outdated due to its shorter key length and vulnerabilities to brute force attacks. Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), while more secure than DES, is less efficient and has largely been replaced by AES. Rivest Cipher (RC4) is less frequently used in modern applications due to known vulnerabilities, particularly in its early implementations. Hence, among these options, AES stands out as the optimal choice for secure encryption in SonicWall SSL VPN.